How Do Resistors Limit Current?
Resistance A materials ability to resist the flow of electricity is called its resistance and an electrical component designed to limit current is called a resistor. Conductors, or materials that conduct an electric charge, have different levels of resistance due to factors such as molecular composition, thickness of the sample used and length of the sample used. A resistor often takes the form of a short piece of conducting material, such as a nickel/chrome alloy or carbon material, with a short section of wire extending from each end. A resistor is a two-terminal component, meaning that it is joined to the circuit in two places. This is reflective of the fact that a resistor is integrated with an electrical circuit. If only one terminal was present, the flow of current throughout the entire circuit would be unaffected. Current and Voltage The electric current through a conductor can be calculated by dividing its voltage by its resistance. In layman’s terms, electric current is a meas
