What is Ohm's law?

Ohm's Law states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points.

Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in physics and electrical engineering, named after the German physicist Georg Simon Ohm. It is usually expressed with the formula V = IR, where V represents voltage (measured in volts), I represents current (measured in amperes or amps), and R represents resistance (measured in ohms). This relationship means that if you increase the voltage across a conductor, the current will also increase, provided the resistance remains constant. Conversely, if you increase the resistance while keeping the voltage constant, the current will decrease.

To understand this better, imagine water flowing through a pipe. The voltage is like the water pressure, the current is the flow rate of the water, and the resistance is the size of the pipe. A higher water pressure (voltage) pushes more water (current) through the pipe, but if the pipe is narrower (higher resistance), less water will flow through it for the same pressure.

Ohm's Law is crucial for designing and analysing electrical circuits. For example, if you know the voltage supplied by a battery and the resistance of a resistor in the circuit, you can calculate the current flowing through the circuit using the formula I = V/R. This helps in selecting the right components to ensure the circuit functions correctly and safely.

In practical applications, Ohm's Law helps in troubleshooting electrical problems. If a device isn't working properly, measuring the voltage, current, and resistance can help identify where the issue lies. For instance, if the current is lower than expected, it might indicate a higher resistance somewhere in the circuit, possibly due to a faulty component or a poor connection. Understanding and applying Ohm's Law is essential for anyone working with electrical systems.