Okuzeka
Electrical & Electronics Engineering vocabulary · Voltage, Current and Power

Ohm's law

Meaning in electrical & electronics engineering, with examples

/ˈoʊmz lɔ/nounCore term

In electrical & electronics engineering, Ohm's law means: The basic rule that the current through a conductor equals the voltage across it divided by its resistance. It is usually written V = I × R.

In Turkish: Ohm kanunu, Ohm yasası

How it is used

Used in quick calculations every day: choosing a resistor, checking a current or estimating a voltage drop. Engineers say 'use Ohm's law' or 'by Ohm's law' and read the formula aloud as 'V equals I times R'.

Example sentences

  1. By Ohm's law, 5 V across a 1 kΩ resistor gives you 5 mA.

  2. Use Ohm's law to work out the value of the LED's series resistor.

Common collocations

  • apply Ohm's law
  • by Ohm's law
  • use Ohm's law
  • Ohm's law calculation
  • voltageThe electrical pressure that pushes current through a circuit, in other words the potential difference between two points. It is measured in volts (V).
  • currentThe flow of electric charge through a conductor, such as a wire or a component. It is measured in amperes (A), which engineers usually just call amps.
  • resistanceHow strongly a material or component opposes the flow of electric current. It is measured in ohms (Ω); for the same voltage, higher resistance means less current.
  • powerThe rate at which electrical energy is used or delivered. In a DC circuit it equals voltage multiplied by current, and it is measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW).

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Voltage, Current and Power

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: