Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

Which of the following is true regarding resistance?

1. Resistance is measured in volts

2. Resistance is measured in ohms

3. Resistance is a property of insulation

4. Resistance cannot be visually represented

The correct answer is: Resistance is measured in ohms

Resistance in electrical terms is indeed measured in ohms, which is the standard unit described by the International System of Units (SI). Ohm's Law, an essential principle in electronics, states that the voltage (in volts) across a conductor is proportional to the current (in amperes) flowing through it, with resistance being the proportionality constant. Thus, resistance quantifies how much a material opposes the flow of electric current, making ohms a fundamental unit for expressing this property. In contrast, voltage is measured in volts, not resistance, which clarifies the distinction between these two electrical concepts. Additionally, resistance is not primarily a property of insulation; rather, it is a characteristic of conductors, semiconductors, and insulators because it reflects the material's tendency to resist flow. As for visual representation, while resistance itself isn't something that can be depicted visually in the physical sense, related components like resistors can be illustrated in circuit diagrams, allowing for a conceptual understanding of resistance without needing to visually demonstrate its value directly.