Movable contact, variable resistor, and method for manufacturing movable contact

A movable contact included in a variable resistor, wherein the variable resistor includes:

• a resistor;
• an electrode;
• and the movable contact, the resistor and the electrode being disposed apart from each other and extending in a predetermined direction which is identical, the movable contact moving in the predetermined direction while being in contact with the resistor and the electrode, the movable contact comprising:
• a first wire rod group including a plurality of first wire rods made of a precious metal, the plurality of first wire rods being arranged so as to be along the resistor and being arranged in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction;
• a second wire rod group including a plurality of second wire rods made of a metal other than the precious metal, the plurality of second wire rods being arranged so as to be along the electrode and being arranged in the orthogonal direction, the second wire rod group being disposed adjacent to the first wire rod group in the orthogonal direction, an axial diameter of the plurality of second wire rod being larger than an axial diameter of the plurality of first wire rods;
• and
• a shaft-shaped member which is disposed so as to cross in a straight line the first wire rod group and the second wire rod group and is welded to the first wire rod group and the second wire rod group.