Make: Online : MAKE presents: The Resistor

Simple, commonplace and absolutely vital to our electronic world - take a closer look at the current-fighting backbone of circuitry, the resistor!

Download the m4v file or subscribe in iTunes

The resistor really is a deep and rich topic to explore. There were a number of topics I would've liked to cover in this video, but unfortunately there's only so much time - here's a few items that sadly, didn't make the final cut -

DIY ribbon controller
How to read resistor values, in depth
How a potentiometer works, and it's variants
How to use/apply Ohm's law
The Drawdio kit/project
dissection of a resistor
how to use a light-dependent resistor

I'm curious - what would you have included? Anyone care to post their own additions/corrections/reactions/contemplations/etc in video-form? If so please send us a link!

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: stuart | oomlout on December 10, 2008 at 10:23 PM

I loved it

Sorry to be responding in a non video based format, but I loved it.

My only sadness is there was no circa 1980's science film animations of electrons being resisted.

Reply to this comment

Posted by: Collin Cunningham on December 10, 2008 at 11:15 PM

no apology necessary, text is also gladly accepted

funny, I had considered such animations. I will boost science-film priority for the next production.

Posted by: Tim on December 11, 2008 at 3:49 AM

Cool

Would have been nice if you'd cut one open to see what they are like inside.

Kind of reminds me of 'Look Around You' which is an awesome satire of those 70/80's science programs.

Posted by: Yingster on December 11, 2008 at 4:34 AM

Thank you!

I love this video. I am just starting out to learn electricity through hobbyist model kits and I know absolutely nothing about electrical stuff. I was just looking at the resistors in the kits I bought today, and wondering what they were, because they are so colourful. Thank you very much for putting the video together. =)

Posted by: Spikenzie on December 11, 2008 at 5:22 AM

I particularly like the improvised constructions in your videos. Like making a LED with a pin and "rock" and this time, a resistor from paper and pencil. Good job!

Posted by: follower on December 11, 2008 at 6:53 AM

How about showing what happens when you leave the resistor out of the circuit with the LED?

I would agree with opening some resistors up and having more animations.

--Phil.

Posted by: Anonymous on December 11, 2008 at 7:56 PM

Awesome video! I love this series of electronic basics, especially the history. Keep up the good work!