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Electricity

Resistance

To explain what electrical resistance is and how it affects the current in a circuit.

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What you will learn

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What electrical resistance means

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Why resistance is measured in ohms

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How to calculate resistance from voltage and current

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How resistance affects current at a fixed voltage

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How to compare the resistance of different components

Explanation

Resistance measures how strongly a component opposes current. Use R = V/I, with resistance in ohms. At fixed potential difference, increasing resistance decreases current; this concerns charge flow per second rather than charge being used up. Example: At fixed potential difference a resistor’s resistance doubles. Explain the current change. I = V/R, so the current halves; fewer coulombs pass per second. A correct answer needs an appropriate unit as well as a numerical value. Justify your answer.

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