What Does a Resistor Do?

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element. In electronic circuits, resistors are used to reduce current flow, adjust signal levels, to divide voltages, bias active elements, and terminate transmission lines, among other uses.

How does a resistor actually work?

A resistor works by restricting the flow of current, it can do this in one of three ways: firstly, by using a less conductive material, secondly by making the conductive material thinner and finally by making the conductive material longer. ... You can clearly see the carbon spiral that gives the resistor its resistance.

Does resistor reduce voltage?

Voltage varies directly with current. "R" is the constant of proportionality telling how much it varies. If I add in a resistor to a circuit, the voltage decreases. If you have a resistor in a circuit, with a current flowing through it, there will be a voltage dropped across the resistor (as given by Ohm's law).