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There are a couple of different answers to this question, depending upon just what you're looking for.
In the "usual" case, the strength of the electric field doesn't affect resistance significantly. In a conductor like carbon, for example, the strength of the applied field and the current vary linearly with one another which is equivalent to saying that the resistance is constant. This is the case for lots of materials, which is why "Ohm's Law" is called a "law."
Sometimes, however, increasing the strength of the electric field can cause something to happen that makes the resistance change suddenly. An example is when there's a lightning bolt: the resistance of the air stays relatively constant until the electric field gets so strong that the gasses ionize. Once that happens, the resistance drops suddenly and you get lightning.
Some clever physical arrangements of materials will exhibit different resistances depending upon the strength of the field (more convenient to talk about voltage here). A simple semiconductor diode, for example, has a relatively low resistance if the applied voltage has one polarity (the field is applied one way) but a high resistance if the polarity is reversed (the applied field is oriented the other way). Even in the "forward biased" direction, the resistance will be high when a low voltage (extremely weak field) is applied but will drop suddenly when the voltage passes a certain threshold. Devices like a diode exhibit nonlinear behavior, which is another way of saying their resistance varies with the voltage applied.
People can get really clever and design circuits where an electric field different from the one causing current to flow controls the resistance. These voltage-controlled resistors are typically made from FETs.
What else can I help you with?
What are 2 factors that affect the strength of an electric field?
The two factors that affect the strength of an electric field are the amount of charge creating the field and the distance from the charge to the point where the field is being measured.
How does the relationship between work and electric potential energy affect the behavior of charged particles in an electric field?
The relationship between work and electric potential energy influences the movement of charged particles in an electric field. When work is done on a charged particle, its electric potential energy changes, affecting its behavior in the electric field. Charged particles will move in a direction that minimizes their electric potential energy, following the path of least resistance. This relationship helps determine the trajectory and speed of charged particles in an electric field.
How does the presence of an electric charge affect the surrounding electric field in the context of physics?
The presence of an electric charge creates an electric field around it. This electric field exerts a force on other charged objects in the surrounding area. The strength and direction of the electric field depend on the magnitude and sign of the charge.
What feature of an object does not affect air resistance?
Its magnetic field and its color.
What is the role of resistance in an electric circuit and how does it affect the flow of current?
Resistance in an electric circuit is the opposition to the flow of electric current. It is measured in ohms. Resistance affects the flow of current by reducing it, as higher resistance leads to lower current flow. This relationship is described by Ohm's Law, which states that current is inversely proportional to resistance in a circuit.
How does the presence of a charged wire affect the electric field in its surrounding environment?
The presence of a charged wire creates an electric field in its surrounding environment. The electric field is stronger closer to the wire and weaker farther away. The direction of the electric field lines depends on the charge of the wire.
How does a torque affect the dipole in an electric field?
A torque applied to a dipole in an electric field causes the dipole to align itself with the direction of the field. The torque will tend to rotate the dipole until it reaches the stable equilibrium position where it is aligned with the electric field.
Can an electric current be used to affect a compass needle?
Yes, an electric current can affect a compass needle because it creates a magnetic field. When the electric current flows through a wire, it generates a magnetic field around the wire, which can deflect the compass needle and change its direction.
What is the effect of a non-moving charge on an electric field?
A non-moving charge does not affect the electric field directly, but it can still interact with other charges in the field through electrostatic forces.
How does connecting devices in parallel affect the electric current in a circuit?
it doesn't, the one with the highest resistance does
How does a charge affect an electric field?
An electric field exerts a force on a charged object. A positive charge will experience a force in the direction of the electric field, while a negative charge will experience a force in the opposite direction. The presence of a charge also generates an electric field that can interact with other charges in its vicinity.
How does distance affect the strength of an electric field?
The strength of an electric field decreases with distance. As you move farther away from a charged object, the electric field intensity becomes weaker. This relationship follows an inverse square law, meaning that the electric field strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the charged object.
