A rheostat is a common name for which type of resistor?

A rheostat is a common name for which type of resistor?

• A. Fixed
• B. Thermistor
• C. Variable
• D. Capacitor

Answer: (C)

A rheostat is a device used to adjust resistance in a circuit to control current. It is a resistor whose resistance can be changed manually, usually by turning a knob or sliding a contact along a resistive element, often wire-wound. This ability to vary resistance continuously is what makes it a variable resistor and why it’s used to fine-tune things like light brightness or motor speed. Fixed resistors have a constant resistance, so they can’t adjust current. A thermistor changes its resistance with temperature, not with a user’s adjustment. A capacitor isn’t a resistor at all; it stores energy and affects circuits differently. So the rheostat is best described as a variable resistor.

A rheostat is a device used to adjust resistance in a circuit to control current. It is a resistor whose resistance can be changed manually, usually by turning a knob or sliding a contact along a resistive element, often wire-wound. This ability to vary resistance continuously is what makes it a variable resistor and why it’s used to fine-tune things like light brightness or motor speed.

Fixed resistors have a constant resistance, so they can’t adjust current. A thermistor changes its resistance with temperature, not with a user’s adjustment. A capacitor isn’t a resistor at all; it stores energy and affects circuits differently. So the rheostat is best described as a variable resistor.