What effect does resistance have on current flow in a circuit?

Resistance plays a crucial role in determining the flow of current within an electrical circuit. According to Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to voltage (V) divided by resistance (R), an increase in resistance will lead to a decrease in the flow of current for a given voltage. This means that when resistance is higher, it opposes the movement of electric charge, limiting the amount of current that can flow through the circuit.

In practical terms, when you encounter a component like a resistor in a circuit, its primary function is to control and limit the current. For instance, if you have a circuit operating at a constant voltage, increasing the resistance by adding a resistor will reduce the overall current in that circuit. This is a foundational concept in electrical engineering, as understanding how resistance impacts current flow is essential for properly designing and analyzing circuits.