Study for the Amtrak Signal Maintenance Training – Level 1 (SMT-1) Test. Our materials include multiple choice questions and detailed explanations to help you succeed. Be prepared for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the Ohm's Law equation?

Ohm's Law shows how voltage, current, and resistance relate in a circuit element. The standard form is V = IR, meaning voltage equals current times resistance. This tells you that for a given resistance, increasing the voltage raises the current proportionally, with the resistance being the proportionality constant. For example, a 3-ohm resistor with 6 volts across it has a current of 6/3 = 2 amperes, and the voltage across it is 2 A × 3 Ω = 6 V. The other expressions mix the roles or describe different quantities (I = VR would give incorrect units for current; P = VI is power, not the basic voltage–current–resistance link; E = IR isn’t the standard form for a simple resistor). The direct, commonly used equation to memorize is V = IR.

Ohm's Law shows how voltage, current, and resistance relate in a circuit element. The standard form is V = IR, meaning voltage equals current times resistance. This tells you that for a given resistance, increasing the voltage raises the current proportionally, with the resistance being the proportionality constant. For example, a 3-ohm resistor with 6 volts across it has a current of 6/3 = 2 amperes, and the voltage across it is 2 A × 3 Ω = 6 V. The other expressions mix the roles or describe different quantities (I = VR would give incorrect units for current; P = VI is power, not the basic voltage–current–resistance link; E = IR isn’t the standard form for a simple resistor). The direct, commonly used equation to memorize is V = IR.