A resistor in a computer (or any electronic device) is a tiny component that controls the flow of electrical current. Think of it like a faucet for electricity—it doesn’t shut it off completely, but it carefully limits how much gets through.

🛠️ What it does:

• Controls current: Prevents too much electricity from reaching sensitive parts, which could cause damage.
• Divides voltage: Helps share voltage correctly across different parts of a circuit.
• Protects components: Acts as a safety buffer—especially for LEDs, sensors, and delicate chips.
• Shapes signals: Used in timing and filtering circuits to smooth out or shape electrical signals.

📍 Where it’s found in computers:

• Motherboards: Regulating current to chips and memory modules.
• Power supplies: Helping manage voltage for smooth operation.
• Peripheral circuits: In USB ports, audio chips, and fan controllers.

🧪 Visual tip:

Most resistors look like tiny cylinders with colored stripes—those stripes aren’t just decoration! They actually tell you the resistor’s value, like a secret numerical code.

Even though they’re small, resistors are essential for keeping a computer from frying itself.