Solution:

To find the temperature coefficient of resistance

$\alpha$

of the conductor, we use the formula for the change in resistance with temperature:

$$R_T = R_0 \left( 1 + \alpha T \right)$$

Where:

• 
  $R_T$ 

  is the resistance at temperature $T$ 

  ,

• 
  $R_0$ 

  is the resistance at the reference temperature (0°C),

• 
  $\alpha$ 

  is the temperature coefficient of resistance,

• 
  $T$ 

  is the temperature change in °C.

Step 1: Given

• The ratio of resistances at 15°C and 37.5°C is given as
  $\frac{R_{15}}{R_{37.5}} = \frac{4}{5}$ 

  .

• The resistance at temperature 15°C,
  $R_{15} = R_0 (1 + \alpha \times 15)$ 

  .

• The resistance at temperature 37.5°C,
  $R_{37.5} = R_0 (1 + \alpha \times 37.5)$ 

  .

Step 2: Set up the equation based on the given ratio

$$\frac{R_{15}}{R_{37.5}} = \frac{4}{5}$$

Substituting the expressions for

$R_{15}$

and

$R_{37.5}$

:

$$\frac{R_0 (1 + \alpha \times 15)}{R_0 (1 + \alpha \times 37.5)} = \frac{4}{5}$$

Canceling

$R_0$

from both the numerator and denominator:

$$\frac{1 + 15\alpha}{1 + 37.5\alpha} = \frac{4}{5}$$

Step 3: Solve for $\alpha$

Cross-multiply to solve for

$\alpha$

:

$$5(1 + 15\alpha) = 4(1 + 37.5\alpha)$$

Expanding both sides:

$$5 + 75\alpha = 4 + 150\alpha$$

Simplify:

$$5 - 4 = 150\alpha - 75\alpha$$

$$1 = 75\alpha$$

$$\alpha = \frac{1}{75}$$

Final Answer:

The temperature coefficient of resistance

$\alpha$

is

$\boxed{\frac{1}{75}} \, \text{per °C}$

.