What does a resistor do to voltage?

A resistor creates a voltage drop in an electrical circuit, which modifies voltage. Heat is produced when electrical energy passes through a resistor because the resistance prevents electrons from flowing through it. The voltage across the resistor decreases as a result of this resistance to the current flow.

Ohm's law states that the resistance (R) of a resistor and the current (I) passing through it determine the voltage drop (V) across the resistor. Ohm's law is represented mathematically as:

$�=�\times �$

Where:

• $�$ is the voltage drop across the resistor (in volts).
• $�$ is the current flowing through the resistor (in amperes).
• $�$ is the resistance of the resistor (in ohms).

So, as the resistance of the resistor increases, for a given amount of current, the voltage drop across the resistor also increases. Conversely, if the resistance decreases, the voltage drop across the resistor decreases.

In practical terms, this means that when you connect a resistor in a circuit, it can help control the voltage levels at different points in the circuit. For example, if you have a higher resistance resistor in series with a component, it will cause a larger voltage drop across itself, thus reducing the voltage available to the component downstream.

What is an example of a resistor? An incandescent light bulb's filament is a common example of a resistor. The filament provides resistance to the passage of electricity going through it. Usually composed of tungsten or a substance comparable to it. The filament heats up and starts to glow as a result of this resistance. When you turn on an incandescent light bulb, electricity flows through the filament, encountering resistance. This resistance converts electrical energy into heat and light, causing the filament to glow and emit light. The amount of resistance in the filament determines how much current flows through it and how brightly the bulb glows. Resistors have different sizes and forms in electronic circuits, but they all serve the same fundamental purpose of obstructing the flow of current. These can be bigger parts utilized in power applications, or smaller parts with colored bands showing the resistance value. Resistors are essential parts of circuits for managing and regulating electrical currents, regardless of how they look.