Unit of Resistance

Resistance is a fundamental property that quantifies how easily electric current can flow through a circuit. It is measured in ohms (Ω) and represents the opposition to the flow of electric current within an object or material. The higher the resistance, the more difficult it is for current to pass through. We will discuss all the details about the Unit of Resistance in this article.

Definition of Resistance

Resistance is the property of a substance or component in a circuit that hinders the flow of electric current. It is analogous to friction in mechanical systems, impeding the smooth movement of charged particles.

Formula for Resistance

The relationship between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) is defined by Ohm’s Law:

R = V/I

Where,

• R is resistance in ohms (Ω)
• V is voltage in volts (V)
• I is current in amperes (A)

Read More about Ohm’s Law.

SI Unit of Resistance

The standard unit of resistance is the ohm (Ω) in the International System of Units (SI). One ohm is defined as the resistance through which a current of one ampere will flow when a potential difference of one volt is applied across it.

In the International System of Units (SI), resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).

This unit is named after Georg Simon Ohm, a German physicist who formulated Ohm’s Law.

What is 1 Ohm?

One ohm is the resistance that allows one ampere of current to flow when a voltage of one volt is applied. Symbolically,

1 Ω =1 V/A

Unit of Resistance in Other systems

While ohms are the standard unit of resistance, there are alternative units used in different contexts:

Units	In Ohms
Abohm	1 × 10-9 ohm
Statohms	898,755,178,740 ohms
Electromagnetic Units	1.00015 ohm
Preece	1 × 10-6 ohms
Megaohm	1000000 ohm

Conversion between Units of Resistance:

Conversion factors for different units of resistance are provided in the following table:

From/To	Ohm (Ω)	Abohm (abΩ)	Statohm (statΩ)
Ohm (Ω)	1	10-9	8.9875 × 1011
Abohm (abΩ)	109	1	8.9875 × 1020
Statohm (statΩ)	1.11265 × 10-12	1.11265 × 10-21	1

Conclusion

Understanding the unit of resistance, the ohm, is essential in the field of electronics. It allows engineers and scientists to quantify and manipulate the impediments to current flow in electrical circuits.

Sample Questions on Unit of Resistance

Problem 1: Convert 500 ohms into abohms.

Solution:

To convert ohms to abohms, use the conversion factor:

1 abΩ = 10^-9Ω

Therefore, 500 × 10^-9 abΩ/Ω

= 0.0000005 abΩ

Problem 2: Convert 20 statohms into ohms.

Solution:

To convert ohms to abohms, use the conversion factor:

1 statΩ = 8.9875 × 10¹¹Ω

Therefore, 20 × 8.9875 × 10¹¹ Ω/statΩ

= 1.7975 × 10¹³ Ω

Practice Problems on Unit of Resistance

Problem 1: Convert 1000 ohms to statohms.

Problem 2: Convert 5 abohms to ohms.

Problem 3: Convert 2 statohms to abohms.

Problem 4: Convert 2 EMU of Resistance to ohms.

Problem 5: Convert 1.5 abohms to statohms.

Unit of Resistance FAQs

What is the unit of resistance in SI units?

The unit of resistance in the International System of Units (SI) is the ohm (Ω).

How is the ohm defined?

One ohm is the resistance through which a current of one ampere will flow when a potential difference of one volt is applied across it.

What is 1 ohm equal to?

One-ohm is equal to 1 volt / 1 ampere.

What is resistance per unit?

⍴ = RA/L. Here, ⍴ is called the proportionality constant or the resistivity or the specific resistance of the material conductor.

What is the formula for Resistance?

The formula for Resistance is R = V / I