Resistive

Resistive is a term used to describe properties, components, or devices that resist the flow of electric current. In physics, resistance is the opposition to current, measured in ohms (R). It arises from the material’s intrinsic properties, geometry, and temperature, and is related to resistivity (ρ) by R = ρL/A for a uniform conductor of length L and cross-sectional area A.

In electronics, resistive elements include resistors and various materials whose primary function is to limit current, divide voltage, or set bias in circuits. Fixed resistors provide a nearly constant resistance over a range of operating conditions, while non-linear or temperature-dependent resistors such as thermistors (NTC or PTC) and photoresistors (LDRs) change resistance in response to temperature or light. Resistors are fundamental passive components used for control, signal conditioning, and protection.

Resistive behavior also leads to power dissipation. When current flows through a resistive load, electrical energy is converted to heat, described by P = I²R or P = V²/R. This Joule heating is a common design consideration in power electronics, appliances, and heating elements.

Resistive sensing is another important area, where devices measure environmental or physical changes by observing resistance shifts. Examples include thermistors for temperature measurement and resistive sensors for humidity or gas detection.

Other applications exploit resistive principles, such as resistive touch screens that detect contact pressure and memristive or resistive-switching devices explored for data storage. Overall, resistive concepts underpin a wide range of electronic design, sensing, and material science contexts.