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Electronics

Resistance is a key property in electronics that opposes electric current, similar to friction in mechanics. It is defined by Ohm's Law (V = IR) and is influenced by factors such as material, length, cross-sectional area, and temperature. Resistors are components used to introduce resistance in circuits, serving functions like current limiting, voltage division, and signal attenuation.

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Surendranath Koujageri
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13 views2 pages

Electronics

Resistance is a key property in electronics that opposes electric current, similar to friction in mechanics. It is defined by Ohm's Law (V = IR) and is influenced by factors such as material, length, cross-sectional area, and temperature. Resistors are components used to introduce resistance in circuits, serving functions like current limiting, voltage division, and signal attenuation.

Uploaded by

Surendranath Koujageri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Okay, electronics!

In that context, resistance is a fundamental property of an electrical circuit


that opposes the flow of electric current. Think of it like friction in a mechanical system – it
hinders movement.
Here's a breakdown of what that means in the world of electronics:
Key Concepts:
●​ Opposition to Current: Resistance arises from the interaction of moving electrons with
the atoms of the material they are flowing through. These collisions convert some of the
electrical energy into heat.
●​ Ohm's Law: The relationship between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) is
defined by Ohm's Law: \mathbf{V = IR} Where:
○​ V is the voltage (electrical potential difference) across the component, measured in
volts (V).
○​ I is the current flowing through the component, measured in amperes (A).
○​ R is the resistance of the component, measured in ohms (\Omega).
●​ Unit of Resistance: The standard unit of electrical resistance is the ohm, symbolized by
the Greek letter omega (\Omega).
●​ Factors Affecting Resistance: The resistance of a material depends on several factors:
○​ Material: Different materials have different inherent abilities to conduct electricity.
Conductors (like copper and silver) have low resistance, while insulators (like
rubber and glass) have high resistance.
○​ Length: The longer the material, the higher the resistance. Imagine a longer pipe –
it's harder for water to flow through it.
○​ Cross-sectional Area: The wider the material, the lower the resistance. A wider
pipe allows for more water to flow easily.
○​ Temperature: For most conductors, resistance increases with temperature due to
increased atomic vibrations hindering electron flow.
Components that Provide Resistance: Resistors
In electronic circuits, we use specific components called resistors to introduce a controlled
amount of resistance. They come in various types and values and are crucial for many
functions.
Types of Resistors (a broad overview):
●​ Fixed Resistors: These have a constant resistance value that cannot be easily changed.
Common types include:
○​ Carbon Composition Resistors: Older, less precise, but robust.
○​ Wirewound Resistors: Made by winding a resistive wire, good for higher power
applications and precise values.
○​ Film Resistors (Metal Film, Carbon Film, Metal Oxide Film): Offer better
tolerance and stability compared to carbon composition.
○​ Surface Mount Resistors (SMD): Small components designed for direct mounting
on circuit boards.
●​ Variable Resistors: Their resistance can be adjusted. Common types include:
○​ Potentiometers: Three-terminal devices used for voltage division and adjustable
resistance (e.g., volume controls).
○​ Rheostats: Two-terminal devices used for controlling current.
○​ Trimmer Resistors (Trimpots): Small, adjustable resistors used for calibration.
●​ Non-Linear Resistors: Their resistance changes in a non-linear way with voltage,
current, temperature, or light. Examples include:
○​ Thermistors: Resistance changes with temperature.
○​ Varistors (Voltage Dependent Resistors - VDRs): Resistance decreases
significantly when the voltage across them exceeds a certain threshold (used for
surge protection).
○​ Photoresistors (Light Dependent Resistors - LDRs): Resistance changes with
the amount of light falling on them.
How Resistors Work in Circuits:
Resistors play vital roles in electronic circuits:
●​ Current Limiting: They restrict the amount of current flowing in a circuit to protect other
components (like LEDs or sensitive ICs) from damage due to excessive current.
●​ Voltage Division: By connecting resistors in series, you can create voltage dividers to
obtain lower voltages from a higher voltage source. The voltage across each resistor is
proportional to its resistance value.
●​ Signal Attenuation: Resistors can reduce the amplitude of electronic signals.
●​ Biasing Active Components: Resistors are essential for setting the correct operating
conditions (biasing) for transistors and other active devices.
●​ Timing Circuits: In combination with capacitors, resistors can create time delays in
circuits (RC circuits).
●​ Load Resistors: Used to simulate a load on a power supply or amplifier for testing
purposes.
●​ Pull-up and Pull-down Resistors: Used in digital circuits to ensure a defined logic level
(high or low) on input pins.
In essence, resistance is a fundamental concept in electronics that allows us to control
the flow of electrical energy within circuits, ensuring proper operation and protection of
components.
Is there any specific aspect of resistance in electronics you'd like to explore further? Perhaps
you're curious about how to calculate resistance in series and parallel circuits, or how resistors
are used in a particular application? Let me know!

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