In the International System of Units (SI), **ohm** (symbol: **Ω**) is the unit of electrical resistance. It is named after the German physicist **Georg Simon Ohm**, who formulated Ohm's Law. This law states the relationship between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit, which can be expressed as:
\[
V = I \times R
\]
Where:
- \(V\) is the voltage across the conductor (in volts, V),
- \(I\) is the current flowing through the conductor (in amperes, A),
- \(R\) is the resistance of the conductor (in ohms, Ω).
### Definition of the Ohm
One **ohm** is defined as the resistance that produces a voltage of **one volt** when a current of **one ampere** flows through it. In other words:
\[
1 \, \Omega = \frac{1 \, \text{volt}}{1 \, \text{ampere}}
\]
### Practical Meaning
- If a conductor has a resistance of 1 ohm, it means that if you apply 1 volt across the conductor, it will allow a current of 1 ampere to flow through it.
- In the context of materials, conductors with low resistance, like copper, allow current to flow easily, while materials with high resistance, like rubber, resist the flow of current.
### Ohm's Law and Applications
Ohm's Law, \(V = I \times R\), is fundamental in understanding electrical circuits. It allows for the calculation of either the voltage, current, or resistance in a circuit when the other two are known. For example:
- To calculate current: \(I = \frac{V}{R}\),
- To calculate voltage: \(V = I \times R\),
- To calculate resistance: \(R = \frac{V}{I}\).
In everyday life, the concept of ohms is used in designing electrical components like resistors, which are precisely engineered to control the amount of current in a circuit. The unit ohm plays a key role in electrical engineering, power distribution, and all areas involving electronics.
### The Ohm and Other SI Units
The ohm is related to other SI units through a fundamental relationship that incorporates the definition of the volt and the ampere. The SI definition of the ohm is based on the ability to measure current using a known voltage, ensuring consistency across different systems and applications worldwide.
In summary, **ohm** is the SI unit of electrical resistance and is defined as the resistance that allows a current of one ampere to flow when one volt is applied across it. This unit is central to understanding and designing electrical circuits.