What is the opposition to current in a circuit or electrical device called?

• A. Resistance
• B. Voltage
• C. Inductance
• D. Capacitance

Answer: (A)

Opposition to current in a circuit is called resistance. It sets how much current will flow for a given voltage, described by Ohm’s law: I = V / R. A higher resistance means less current for the same voltage, while a lower resistance allows more current. Resistance arises from the material and its properties (like temperature, length, and cross‑section), and components such as resistors are specifically designed to provide that opposition.

Voltage is the driving potential that pushes charges through the circuit. Inductance is the property that resists changes in current by generating a back‑emf when current changes, and capacitance is the ability to store charge that affects how voltage changes over time. These distinctions explain why resistance is the appropriate term for the direct opposition to current.