Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

In electrical terms, what is the function of resistance?

1. Increase electric current

2. Reduce electric current

3. Store electric charge

4. Enhance electric flow

The correct answer is: Reduce electric current

Resistance in electrical terms refers to the opposition to the flow of electric current within a circuit. It is a fundamental concept in electronics and electrical engineering, and its primary function is to limit or reduce the amount of electric current that can flow through a material or component. When an electrical current passes through a resistor, the resistor impedes the flow of electrons, creating a drop in voltage and effectively controlling the amount of current that can reach other parts of the circuit. This reduction in current can be useful for protecting sensitive components from excessive current that may cause damage, managing power consumption, or achieving specific circuit behavior as desired for various applications. Other functions, such as storing electric charge or enhancing electric flow, do not correspond to the role of resistance. Capacitors are typically responsible for storing electric charge, while inductors and other circuit configurations are used to enhance electric flow under certain conditions. Thus, understanding that resistance specifically serves to reduce electric current is essential in both theoretical and practical applications of electronics.