Resistance and I-V Characteristics

Vocabulary flashcards covering ohmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes, linear and non-linear components, and I-V characteristics.

Ohmic Conductor

A component, such as a wire or resistor at constant temperature, whose current is directly proportional to potential difference, meaning its resistance remains constant in $V = IR$.

$I$-$V$ Characteristic

A graph showing how the current ($I$) flowing through a component changes as the potential difference ($V$) across it is increased.

Linear Component

A circuit component, such as a fixed resistor, that has an $I$-$V$ characteristic represented by a straight line.

Non-linear Component

A circuit component, such as a filament lamp or diode, that has a curved $I$-$V$ characteristic.

Filament Lamp Resistance Behavior

The increase in resistance as current increases, caused by flowing electrical charge transferring energy to the filament's thermal energy store and making it heat up.

Diode Resistance Behavior

A property where resistance depends on current direction, allowing current flow in one direction while providing a very high resistance in the reverse direction.

Resistance Calculation from $I$-$V$ Graph

Determining the resistance at any specific point on an $I$-$V$ characteristic graph using the formula $R = \frac{V}{I}$.

$I$-$V$ Characteristics Summary Graphs

The set of $I$-$V$ graphs showing a straight line for ohmic conductors, a shallower curve at higher currents for filament lamps, and current flow in only one direction for diodes.