How is resistance measured?

Resistance is a measure of how much an object opposes the flow of electric current. The unit of measurement for resistance is the ohm, which is represented by the Greek letter omega (Ω). When measuring resistance, we often use a device called an ohmmeter, which applies a known voltage across a component and measures the resulting current to calculate the resistance using Ohm's Law (V = I × R).

In electrical circuits, understanding resistance is fundamental because it influences how much current will flow when a specific voltage is applied. The knowledge of resistance is crucial for troubleshooting and designing electric circuits, as it helps technicians optimize performance and ensure safety.

While other terms like volts, watts, and amperes are essential in the context of electrical measurements, they represent different electrical concepts. Volts measure electric potential (or voltage), watts measure power (the rate of energy consumption), and amperes measure current (the flow of electrons). Thus, these units serve distinct roles in electrical engineering and do not relate directly to the measurement of resistance.