Definition

1. Noun:
   • A material's opposition to the flow of electric current: This is the fundamental property of a material that impedes or resists the movement of electric charge. It is a measure of how difficult it is for current to pass through a conductor.
   • Measured in ohms: The standard unit of measurement for electrical resistance is the ohm (symbol: Ω).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Copper wire has a low electrical resistance, making it an excellent conductor.
  • The engineer calculated the circuit's total electrical resistance to ensure safety.
  • Increasing the length of a wire typically increases its electrical resistance.

Advanced Usage

• "To measure electrical resistance": To determine the opposition to current flow in a component or material.
  • Technicians use a multimeter to measure the electrical resistance of the component.
• "Electrical resistance changes with temperature": Describing how the property is not constant and varies with physical conditions.
  • For most conductors, electrical resistance increases as the temperature rises.

Variants and Related Words

• Resistance (n): A common shortened form of "electrical resistance" used in many technical contexts.
  • Check the resistance of this resistor.
• Resistor (n): A passive electrical component specifically designed to provide a known amount of electrical resistance in a circuit.
  • A 10kΩ resistor was used in the design.
• Resistivity (n): An intrinsic material property that quantifies how strongly a material opposes current flow, used to calculate the resistance of a specific object.
  • The resistivity of silver is very low.

Synonyms

• Impedance (n): In AC circuits, a more general measure of opposition to current flow, which includes resistance as well as reactance (opposition from capacitors and inductors).
• Ohmic resistance (n): A technical term specifically for the resistive component that obeys Ohm's Law.

Related Phrases

• "To offer resistance": To provide opposition to current flow.
  • The long, thin wire offers more resistance than a short, thick one.
• "A drop in resistance": A decrease in the opposition to current.
  • The faulty connection caused a sudden drop in resistance, leading to a short circuit.

Noun

1. a material's opposition to the flow of electric current; measured in ohms