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Resistors

Resistors are electronic components which control the flow of current through a circuit, (the path through which electricity flows). There is a lowering in voltage between two points. Resistors depend on something called Ohm's Law, which you will learn about in later years.

Resistors are of five types:

  • Fixed Value Resistors
  • Variable Resistors
  • Potentiometers
  • Thermistors
  • Photo Resistors

A fixed value resistor

Education and science articles resistores in simple eletronic circuits

Variable Resistors

Variable Resistors allow you to make adjustments to increase or decrease the amount of resistance between two nodes on a circuit.

Different types of variable resistors

Education and science articles variable resistors

In the photograph to above, the variable resistor typically used for volume controls can be seen on the far right.

Use your favourite search engine to learn about the other resistors and their uses.

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