Video Transcript
What kind of circuit component has a lower resistance if the temperature around the component is higher?
In this question, we want to identify a circuit component that changes resistance when the temperature changes. The circuit component we are looking for is called a thermistor. The word “thermistor” is derived from the words “thermally sensitive resistor.” This is a resistor whose resistance value depends on its temperature, hence its name. At low temperatures, the thermistor has a high resistance. As the temperature increases, the resistance decreases.
The circuit symbol for a thermistor is shown here. It starts out with a basic resistor symbol and then adds in this diagonal line with a little slope to it. Thermistors are typically used as temperature sensors. One of the most important uses of a thermistor is to create fire alarms that go off when there are sudden and drastic changes in temperature in a given area.
So our final answer for a circuit component that has a lower resistance if the temperature around the component is higher is called a thermistor.
