Difference Between Resistance and Impedance, Major Differences
Difference Between Resistance and Impedance, get insight in detail based on all important parameters like Definition, formula and application in NEET Physics. Understand this concept and take your preparation to the next level.
Praveen Kushwah27 May, 2025
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Difference Between Resistance and Impedance : In the world of electricity, imagine resistance as a roadblock to the flow of electric current. It's a bit like how traffic faces resistance on the road. Imagine AC circuits like a more dynamic road with twists and turns. Impedance is like the total challenge the current faces, not just roadblocks but also twists and turns.
Resistance is the basic roadblock, slowing things down and turning electrical energy into heat. Impedance includes this roadblock but also considers the tricky parts that make electricity act differently in AC circuits. Understanding this concept not only helps you to understand electric circuits but is also important for NEET preparation.| NEET Physics Syllabus | NEET Physics Important Questions with Answers |
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Difference Between Resistance and Impedance Overview
We have two important things to talk about, Resistance and Impedance. Imagine electricity flowing through circuits like water running through pipes. Resistance is like a roadblock in the pipes that slows down the flow, creating a bit of heat. This happens in simple, direct current (DC) circuits. Now, think of alternating current (AC) circuits as a more complicated pathway with twists and turns. Impedance is like the total challenge the electricity faces, including the roadblocks (resistance) and the twists and turns (reactance).Difference Between Resistance and Impedance
Check out the Difference Between Resistance and Impedance based on all the important parameters from the NEET exam point of view. By understanding this will have a clear idea of how current flows in an electrical circuit.
| Difference Between Resistance and Impedance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Resistance | Impedance |
| Definition | Opposition to the flow of electric current. | Total opposition to the flow of alternating current, considering both resistance and reactance. |
| Symbol | ||
| Units | Measured in ohms ( Ω ). | It is also measured in ohms ( Ω ). |
| Type of Current | Applies to both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). | It is primarily associated with alternating current (AC). |
| Dependence on Frequency | Independent of frequency. | It depends on frequency; and includes both resistive and reactive components. |
| Components | It solely involves resistance, a real component. | Comprises resistance (real) and reactance (imaginary), forming a complex quantity. |
| Phasor Representation | Represented by a real number in phasor diagrams. | Represented as a complex number in phasor diagrams, indicating both magnitude and phase. |
| Ohm's Law | (Voltage = Current × Resistance). | (Voltage = Current × Impedance), considering both resistance and reactance. |
| Energy Dissipation | Energy is dissipated as heat in the resistor. | Energy dissipates as heat in resistive components and is stored and released in reactive components. |
| Example | A light bulb's filament has resistance. | A circuit with both resistors and inductors or capacitors has impedance. |
| DC Circuit Behavior | Governs the behavior of direct current circuits. | Reactance is not relevant in DC circuits; resistance governs the behavior. |
| AC Circuit Behavior | Resistance affects both magnitude and phase in AC circuits. | Impedance considers both resistance and reactance, influencing both magnitude and phase. |
| Application | Applied in both DC and AC circuits. | Predominantly used in AC circuits, where reactive components play a significant role. |
What is Resistance?
Resistance is the opposition a substance offers to the flow of electric current. It is measured in ohms ( Ω ). For example, in an electric circuit, a light bulb exhibits resistance. The filament in the bulb resists the flow of electric current, causing it to heat up and produce light.What is Impedance?
Impedance is the total opposition that a circuit presents to the flow of alternating current (AC), consisting of both resistance and reactance. It is also measured in ohms ( Ω ). For instance, in an AC circuit with a combination of resistors and inductors, the total opposition to the current, including both resistance and reactance, is the impedance of the circuit.Difference Between Resistance and Impedance FAQs
What is the fundamental difference between resistance and impedance?
Resistance represents the opposition to electric current in both DC and AC circuits, while impedance is the total opposition in AC circuits, incorporating both resistance and reactance.
How do the units of resistance and impedance compare?
Both resistance and impedance share the unit of ohms (Ω), but while resistance is a scalar quantity, impedance is a complex quantity, including both magnitude and phase information.
Why is impedance more relevant in AC circuits compared to DC circuits?
Impedance considers both resistance and reactance, becoming particularly significant in AC circuits where reactive components like inductors and capacitors influence the total opposition to current flow.
What is the practical example illustrating the difference between resistance and impedance?
A resistor in a DC circuit demonstrates resistance, whereas an AC circuit with resistors and reactive components like inductors or capacitors showcases impedance.
How does impedance impact the behavior of alternating current in a circuit?
Impedance influences both the magnitude and phase of alternating current in a circuit, considering the resistivity and reactive components. This complex quantity provides a comprehensive understanding of AC circuit behavior.
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