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Ohm’s Law is a simple formula that shows how voltage, current, and resistance are connected.
The Formula
V=I×RV = I \times R
- V: Voltage (in volts)
- I: Current (in amperes or amps)
- R: Resistance (in ohms)
Explaining Ohm’s Law in Simple Terms
Imagine water flowing through a hose:
- Voltage is like the water pressure pushing the water forward.
- Current is how much water is actually flowing through the hose.
- Resistance is like a kink or blockage in the hose that slows the water down.
If the water pressure (voltage) increases, more water (current) will flow unless the hose has a big kink (resistance). If there’s a lot of resistance, the flow slows down, even with high pressure.
How It Works
You can use this formula to calculate any one of the three values if you know the other two.
Example
Imagine a flashlight with:
- Voltage = 3 volts
- Resistance = 6 ohms
Using the formula to find the current:
I=VR=3 volts6 ohms=0.5 ampsI = \frac{V}{R} = \frac{3 \, \text{volts}}{6 \, \text{ohms}} = 0.5 \, \text{amps}
This means 0.5 amps of current flows through the flashlight.
Why It Matters
Understanding Ohm’s Law helps you see how electricity works in circuits. It’s the foundation for fixing, designing, or building electronic gadgets.
Next time you turn on a device, you’ll know exactly how voltage, current, and resistance team up to make it work!