Which of the following devices in a vehicle commonly acts as a resistive load in an electrical circuit?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following devices in a vehicle commonly acts as a resistive load in an electrical circuit?

The main concept is recognizing loads in a circuit by how they dissipate electrical energy. A resistive load mainly converts electrical energy into heat (and sometimes light) with current proportional to voltage according to Ohm’s law. An automotive incandescent light bulb fits this: its filament acts as a resistor, so increasing voltage increases current and power, producing light and heat. While other devices involve electromagnetism or motor action—fuel injectors are solenoids with inductance, cooling fans are motors with inductive windings and back-EMF, and tachometer gauges rely on magnetic/electrical components—these are not pure resistive loads. So the light bulb is the device that behaves as a resistive load in a vehicle circuit.

The main concept is recognizing loads in a circuit by how they dissipate electrical energy. A resistive load mainly converts electrical energy into heat (and sometimes light) with current proportional to voltage according to Ohm’s law. An automotive incandescent light bulb fits this: its filament acts as a resistor, so increasing voltage increases current and power, producing light and heat. While other devices involve electromagnetism or motor action—fuel injectors are solenoids with inductance, cooling fans are motors with inductive windings and back-EMF, and tachometer gauges rely on magnetic/electrical components—these are not pure resistive loads. So the light bulb is the device that behaves as a resistive load in a vehicle circuit.

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