Science glossary film: Electrical resistance

Electrical resistance

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Opposition to the flow of a current within a circuit, measured in ohms.

Opposition to the flow of a current within a circuit, measured in ohms. Different materials have different levels of resistance. The higher the resistance, the harder it is for current to flow. In a wire, resistance increases with length and decreases with thickness. That's why overhead power cables are thick – it reduces the resistance and makes it easier for the current to flow over long distances.

Different materials have different levels of resistance. The higher the resistance, the harder it is for current to flow. In a wire, resistance increases with length and decreases with thickness. That's why overhead power cables are thick – it reduces the resistance and makes it easier for the current to flow over long distances.

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