What does resistance measure in an electrical conductor?

Resistance in an electrical conductor measures the difficulty encountered by electric current as it flows through the material. This concept is grounded in Ohm's Law, which states that voltage (or potential difference) is equal to the current multiplied by the resistance. A higher resistance means that the flow of electric current is more hindered, which is essential for understanding how different materials behave under electrical stress.

Resistance plays a crucial role in designing electrical circuits, as it determines how much current will flow for a given voltage. Conductors with low resistance allow electric currents to flow more freely, while materials with high resistance impede that flow. This property is vital in applications ranging from circuit design to safety assessments, ensuring that the components used will operate within safe and effective limits.