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GCSE Physics · key term
A component whose resistance changes with temperature; for the thermistors studied here, resistance decreases as temperature increases.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.2.1.1, 4.2.1.4 · Paper 1
A resistor whose resistance decreases as its temperature increases.
Revise: Standard circuit diagram symbolsStandard circuit symbols: Cell; Battery; Open switch; Lamp; Fuse; Ammeter; Voltmeter; Resistor; Variable resistor; Thermistor; LDR; Diode; LED. Resistors and related components use the European rectangular style.
Do not say that a thermistor or LDR switches an appliance directly. Its changing resistance provides an electrical change that a control circuit can use to operate a switch.
Keep the relationships distinct: a hotter thermistor has lower resistance; a hotter filament lamp has higher resistance; an LDR in brighter light has lower resistance.
State both variables and the direction of change: as the temperature of an NTC thermistor increases, its resistance decreases.
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Specification 10.20, 10.21 · Paper 2
A component whose electrical resistance changes when its temperature changes.
Revise: Thermistor ResistanceA thermistor is a temperature-sensitive resistor: its resistance changes when its temperature changes. This allows temperature to be represented by an electrical quantity.
A temperature-sensitive resistor. For the negative temperature coefficient thermistors studied here, resistance decreases as temperature increases.
Paper 1, Paper 2
A temperature-dependent resistor; the type normally studied at GCSE has a resistance that decreases as its temperature rises.
Revise: Investigating I-V Characteristics of ComponentsAn LDR and a thermistor have resistances that depend on an environmental condition as well as on their electrical operating point.
A component whose resistance changes with temperature.