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We saw this picture earlier to show the relationship between voltage and current, where the voltage pushes the current around the circuit. The red figure on top represents resistance. Resistance is there to make it harder for charge to flow around the circuit. It is measured in ohms
Components in a circuit have resistance and this will reduce the current flowing around a circuit. It will also shift energy to the surroundings. This is really important, if the energy wasn't shifted to the surroundings buzzers wouldn't buzz, motors wouldn't turn and bulbs wouldn't light.
In this model the water pump is the battery pumping the water around the circuit. At the top the circuit narrows. This would slow the flow of the water through the circuit. With electrical circuits this also happens. A thinner wire has a high resistance and decreases the current flowing through the circuit.
Temperature, the length of the wires, the numbers of components and the material that the wires and components are made of will also affect their resistance.
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