What is the basic unit of electrical resistance?

The basic unit of electrical resistance is the ohm. This unit is named after the German physicist Georg Simon Ohm, who formulated Ohm's Law, which describes the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit. According to Ohm's Law, resistance is defined as the ratio of voltage across a conductor to the current flowing through it, expressed mathematically as R = V/I, where R is resistance in ohms, V is voltage in volts, and I is current in amperes.

Understanding the ohm is crucial because it directly influences the behavior of electrical circuits. A higher resistance means that less current will flow for a given voltage, while lower resistance allows more current to pass. This relationship is foundational for working with electrical components and designing circuits.

In contrast, watt is the unit of power, volt measures electric potential, and ampere denotes electrical current. Each of these units is related to electricity but serves a different purpose and defines different electrical properties. The focus on ohm as the fundamental unit of resistance is vital for analyzing and troubleshooting electrical systems.