Resistors*

claimed by Benjamin Flamm

Resistors are elements that are inserted into circuits in order to oppose the flow of current. This page gives examples of computing resistance as well as the history, applications, and evolution of resistors.

The Main Idea

Resistors have many forms throughout modern technology and are applied in electronic industries ranging from basic manufacturing (lightbulbs, portable devices, etc.) to advanced biomedical instrumentation such as electrocardiogram devices. (electronicdesign.com)

The primary goal of a resistor is to limit the current that flows through a circuit. For example, a lightbulb is a very simple application of Tungsten or another material that has a high resistance. As electrons flow into the lightbulb, they begin to collide with themselves and the high number of charge carriers in the high-resistance filament. The result of these collisions is energy released as light and heat. See the Mathematical Model section for the relationship of these factors and how they determine resistance.

A Mathematical Model

Resistance can be modeled by starting at the fundamental concept [math]\displaystyle{ {I = |q|nA\bar{v}} }[/math] where [math]\displaystyle{ I }[/math] is conventional current, [math]\displaystyle{ |q| }[/math] is the magnitude of the charge being carried, [math]\displaystyle{ n }[/math] is the number of charge carriers, [math]\displaystyle{ A }[/math] is the area of the resistor, and [math]\displaystyle{ \bar{v} }[/math] is the drift speed of the charge.

[math]\displaystyle{ {I = |q|nA\bar{v} = |q|nAuE} }[/math] and [math]\displaystyle{ {J = \frac IA } }[/math] the equation for current density

Grouping the properties of the material together and utilizing the equation for conductivity [math]\displaystyle{ {\sigma = |q|nu} }[/math]:

[math]\displaystyle{ {I = (|q|nu)AE = {\sigma}AE} }[/math]

[math]\displaystyle{ {J = \frac IA = {\sigma}E} }[/math]

Substituting in the equation for electric field we get [math]\displaystyle{ {\frac IA = {\sigma}\frac {{\Delta}V}{L}} }[/math]

Finally, using algebra we attain [math]\displaystyle{ {I = \dfrac{{\Delta}V}{\dfrac{L}{{\sigma}A}} = \frac {{\Delta}V}{R}} }[/math]

Resulting in the definition of resistance being [math]\displaystyle{ {R = \dfrac {L}{{\sigma}{A}}} }[/math]

Although resistance can be easily derived and calculated, the majority of problems that contain resistance involve circuit analysis and Ohm's Law [math]\displaystyle{ {{\Delta}V = IR} }[/math] in which resistance is usually provided beforehand.