The word “reciprocal” is sometimes used to mean “the opposite of.” The opposite, or reciprocal, of resistance is called conductance. As described above, resistance is the opposition to current flow. Since resistance and conductance are opposites, conductance can be defined as the ability to conduct current. For example, if a wire has a high conductance, it will have low resistance, and vice-versa. Conductance is found by taking the reciprocal of the resistance. The unit used to specify conductance is called “mho,” which is ohm spelled backwards. The symbol for “mho” is the Greek letter omega inverted ( ). The symbol for conductance when used in a formula is G. Equation (1-5) is the mathematical representation of conductance obtained by relating the
definition of conductance (1/R) to Ohm’s Law, Equation (1-4).
Example: If a resistor (R) has five ohms, what will its conductance (G) be in mhos?
Solution:
