Which symbol is commonly used to denote electrical resistance in circuit analysis?

Which symbol is commonly used to denote electrical resistance in circuit analysis?

• A. V
• B. I
• C. P
• D. R

Answer: (D)

In circuit analysis, different letters denote different electrical quantities, and the letter for resistance is R. This stems from the term “resistance” and is the variable used in Ohm’s law, V = I × R. The unit of resistance is the ohm (Ω), and in diagrams a component’s resistance is typically labeled with R (such as R1, R2). The other symbols correspond to voltage (V), current (I), and power (P), which are distinct quantities, so they aren’t used to denote resistance.

In circuit analysis, different letters denote different electrical quantities, and the letter for resistance is R. This stems from the term “resistance” and is the variable used in Ohm’s law, V = I × R. The unit of resistance is the ohm (Ω), and in diagrams a component’s resistance is typically labeled with R (such as R1, R2). The other symbols correspond to voltage (V), current (I), and power (P), which are distinct quantities, so they aren’t used to denote resistance.