Electrical Resistance

(Hambatan Listrik)

I. Definition

Electrical resistance is the result of electric voltage divided with electric

current in an electric configuration.

The component of electrical resistance is called Resistor.

Resistors are divided to:

a) Fixed resistor ( or )
b) Variable resistor

The primary characteristics of a resistor are the resistance, the tolerance,

maximum working voltage and the power rating. Other characteristics
include temperature coefficient, noise, critical resistance, and inductance.

The unit of electrical resistance is ohm (symbol: Ω), named after Georg Simon
Ohm (1787-1854).

The electrical resistance is measured by ohmmeter.

II. Formula

1. The Ohm’s Law

The Ohm’s law stated that

V=I R
In other words,
V
R=
I
R = electric resistance in an electric configuration (Ω / ohm)
V = voltage in an electric configuration (V / volt)
I = electric current in an electric configuration (A / ampere)

This formulation of Ohm's law states that, when a voltage (V) is maintained
across a resistance (R), a current (I) will flow through the resistance.

2. The Resistance Amount of a Resistor

The resistance of a resistor is mainly affected by type (element) and size of the
resistor component.
l
R=ρ
A
R = resistance amount of a resistor (Ω)
ρ = the electrical resistivity (also called specific electrical resistance) (Ωm)
l = length of resistor (m)
A = cross-sectional area of the current flow (m2)

3. Resistance in series and parallel configuration.

Generally, resistor could be arranged to parallel or series configuration.

a) Series Configuration
n
RS = ∑ Ri = R1 + R2 + R3 + .....
i =1

Rs = total resistor in serial configuration (Ω)

The total resistor is equal to total addition of all resistors in the configuration.

b) Parallel Configuration
n
1 1 1 1 1
=∑ = + + + .....
Rp i =1 Ri R1 R2 R3
Rp = total resistor in parallel configuration (Ω)

For resistors in parallel configuration, the reversed total resistor is equal to

reversed total addition of every resistor in the configuration.

Parallel configuration is designed to minimize the resistance in an electrical

configuration.

III. Picture
many types and kinds of resistors

fixed resistor

serial configuration

parallel configuration
IV. Application

Resistors are used in almost every electrical configuration.

Resistors are used to control the electric current, dividing voltage, and also, to
control the sound volume (Potentiometer in radio, tape, and television).

V. Examples of Problem

1. An electric current (I) with amount 2.5 A is flowing in a closed electric

configuration. If the voltage (V) is 10 V, how much is the resistance (R) in the
configuration?

Answer:

I = 2.5 A
V = 10 V

R=?

Ohm’s Rule:
V=IxR

10 V = 2,5 A x R

R=4Ω

So, the resistance in the configuration is 4 Ω.

2. How much is the resistance of platinum wire with area 10 mm2 and 5 m
length, if ρ = 1.1 x 10-7 Ωm ?

Answer :

ρ = 1,1 x 10-7 Ωm
A = 10 mm2 = 1 x 10-5 m2
l=5m

l
R=ρ
A
 5 
R = 1.1 × 10 −7 ×  −5 
 1 × 10 

R = 0.055 Ω

So, the resistance of the platinum wire is 0.055 Ω.

3. Determine the amount of total resistor (Rt) if four resistors:

R1 = 1 Ω, R2 = 2 Ω, R3 = 3 Ω, R4 = 4 Ω,
are set in: a) serial configuration
b) parallel configuration

Answer:

R1 = 1 Ω
R2 = 2 Ω
R3 = 3 Ω
R4 = 4 Ω

a) serial configuration

Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4
Rt = 1 Ω + 2 Ω + 3 Ω + 4 Ω
Rt = 10 Ω

So, if the resistors are set in a serial configuration, the total resistor is 10 Ω.

b) parallel configuration

1 1 1 1 1
= + + +
Rt R1 R2 R3 R4
1 1 1 1 1
= + + +
Rt 1Ω 2Ω 3Ω 4Ω
1 12 + 6 + 4 + 3 25
= =
Rt 12 Ω 12 Ω
Rt = 0.48 Ω

So, if the resistors are set in a serial configuration, the total resistor is 0.48
Ω.

VI. Source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistor#Carbon_composition

Kanginan, Marthen. 2006. Fisika 1B untuk SMA Kelas X. Jakarta: Penerbit Erlangga

Abdullah, Mikrajuddin. 2006. IPA Fisika SMP dan MTs Jilid 3. Jakarta: Penerbit
Erlangga