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Resistors in Electrical Circuits: A Beginner's Guide

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As an engineering student or practising engineer, it's important to have a solid understanding of resistors and their role in electrical circuits. This article will give you a comprehensive overview of resistors, including what they are, important calculations and equations, and key applications.

A resistor is a passive electrical component that resists the flow of electrical current in a circuit. It's essentially a device that converts electrical energy into heat, which is then dissipated into the surrounding environment. The amount of resistance provided by a resistor is measured in ohms, represented by the symbol Ω.

When working with resistors, there are several important equations and calculations that you need to be aware of. These are: 

For the given circuit, find the total voltage of the circuit as well as the total power absorbed by the system. 

For our system, we can sum the total resistance as (600+400) Ω as they are connected in series. 

Using this new value, we can calculate the voltage:

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For the given circuit, we found the voltage to be 200V. Using this value, we could determine the total power dissipated by the system, which was 40W. 

Ohm's law states that the current flowing through a resistor is proportional to the voltage across it. The power equation relates the power dissipation in a resistor to the current flowing through it and the voltage across it.

Resistors are used in various applications, from basic electrical circuits to complex electronic systems. Some key applications include:

There are two main branches of resistors: 

Resistors are a fundamental component in electrical circuits, playing a critical role in power control and regulation. Understanding the basic equations and calculations associated with resistors, as well as their key applications, is essential for anyone working in electrical engineering or any other engineering discipline. Whether you're a university student or a practising engineer, this knowledge will be invaluable in your work and help you design and build more effective electrical circuits.

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