Certain parts of the circuit may not be physically able to withstand the level of electrical current without shorting out.
2006-11-24 15:24:07
·
answer #1
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
0⤋
Greetings,
To understand a resistor, think of electricity like water in a river. A resistor would be the dam that holds back the water while a opening would let a measured flow of water Thu. To control the amount of water that is allowed to pass would create a constant pressure.
Now, to a circuit,, with out the resistor all the electricity would pass Thu the circuit with out being constant. Depending on how much electricity you have at a given time. The fluctuation of strong and then weak electrical flow would damage most machines. A resistor holds the passing of electricity at a constant amount.
2006-11-24 15:34:00
·
answer #2
·
answered by Cleve T 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
A resistor is a current sensitive device. It reduces the current in a series circuit by dropping the voltage. In a parallel circuit, it increases the current while holding the voltage constant. In some circuits the voltage drop across the resistor is used to regulate a device.
2006-11-24 15:32:31
·
answer #3
·
answered by Sophist 7
·
0⤊
0⤋
Ok here is what a resistor is. Thank you 5th Grade :)
Alright what it does is when the electric current comes to the resistor the resistor limits the amount of current that goes through therefore a lightbulb won't break if to much wattage is coming at it at 1 time.
For example : Look at telephone poles if you see that Big Cylinder every couple poles or every pole or so They are resistors for house's the Voltage coming through the Power Lines are much greater than what is handled by common house hold aplliances
2006-11-24 15:30:45
·
answer #4
·
answered by Dirk 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Ohm's law, V=IR. Resistors alter the voltage and the current in a circuit. A great example a resistor is the volume control on your computer, TV, iPod, radio, or anything else that produces sound (these are known as variable resistors).
2006-11-24 15:30:20
·
answer #5
·
answered by Jay B 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Interesting Question,
Resistors either add load to a circuit or divide up voltage. Load allows current to build and gives off heat. A resistive heater would give off no heat. Your light dimmer switch in your bedroom would not he able to divide up the voltage and your light would always be it's brightest. There are many other usages in your day to day life if you think about it a minute or two
2006-11-24 15:29:50
·
answer #6
·
answered by Robert J 1
·
0⤊
0⤋
Resisters literally "resist" the amount of current that would other wise flow in a closed circuit.
The best example I can think of for the second part of your question is the volume control on your radio - this is a special type of resister that varies the resistance - if you were to remove it and replace it with a piece of wire, your volume would be continuously full blast every time you turned on your radio.
Come to think of it, I think some of the vehicles that go past my house at night have this modification. Boom Boom Booooom
2006-11-24 15:40:22
·
answer #7
·
answered by LeAnne 7
·
0⤊
0⤋
a resistor is used to regulate volages and amps or to set it at the right voltage. without it you could fry your circuit.
2006-11-24 15:24:29
·
answer #8
·
answered by Chris J 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Why yes floydy they are a waste of energy thats why they get hot...take it out and see what happens....I think you will find your question was more of a waste of energy for us all though.
2006-11-24 15:24:01
·
answer #9
·
answered by I am just here to laugh at you 2
·
0⤊
0⤋