Resistance opposes the flow of what in an electrical circuit?

Resistance opposes the flow of what in an electrical circuit?

• A. Electrons
• B. Protons
• C. Neutrons
• D. Current

Answer: (A)

Resistance slows the movement of electric charges. In most conductors, the charges that actually move are electrons, so resistance directly opposes the flow of electrons. Protons and neutrons stay bound in atoms and don’t flow in a circuit, so they don’t carry the current. Current is defined as the rate of charge flow, and in metals that charge flow is mainly due to electrons, which is why resistance is described as opposing the flow of electrons. Ohm’s law ties it together: for a given voltage, higher resistance means less current, because the electron flow is more hindered.

Resistance slows the movement of electric charges. In most conductors, the charges that actually move are electrons, so resistance directly opposes the flow of electrons. Protons and neutrons stay bound in atoms and don’t flow in a circuit, so they don’t carry the current. Current is defined as the rate of charge flow, and in metals that charge flow is mainly due to electrons, which is why resistance is described as opposing the flow of electrons. Ohm’s law ties it together: for a given voltage, higher resistance means less current, because the electron flow is more hindered.