Which term describes a material's opposition to the flow of electric current?

Prepare for the TExES Science 7-12 Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The term that accurately describes a material's opposition to the flow of electric current is resistance. Resistance measures how much a material hinders the passage of electric charge; it is quantified in ohms. When current flows through a conductor, resistance determines the amount of energy lost due to heat, enabling us to understand how efficiently the current is transmitted.

While resistivity is a related concept, it specifically refers to a material's intrinsic property that quantifies how strongly that material opposes the flow of current, taking into account its geometry and size. Resistivity is often used to calculate resistance in specific configurations, but when directly addressing the opposition to current flow in practical terms, resistance is the more appropriate term. Thus, resistance is the key concept when discussing how a material impedes the flow of electric current.

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