Question
What is the result of conductor skin effect?
Answer Options
- A) Resistance increases as frequency increases because RF current flows closer to the surface
- B) Resistance decreases as frequency increases because electron mobility increases
- C) Resistance increases as temperature increases because of the change in thermal coefficient
- D) Resistance decreases as temperature increases because of the change in thermal coefficient
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
Skin effect is an electromagnetic phenomenon that occurs when alternating current (AC) flows through a conductor. At higher frequencies, the magnetic field induced by the current pushes the current flow away from the center of the conductor and concentrates it near the outer surface, or ‘skin.’
This reduction in the effective cross-sectional area available for current flow is the cause of the result: Resistance increases as frequency increases because RF current flows closer to the surface. The higher the frequency, the thinner the skin depth, the smaller the effective cross-sectional area, and the greater the resistance of the conductor to the radio frequency current.
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