Which term is defined as the resistance to the flow of energy?

The term that refers to the resistance to the flow of energy is impedance. Impedance is a broader concept than resistance, as it encompasses not only the opposition to direct current (which is resistance) but also the opposition to alternating current, including both resistive and reactive components. It is a complex quantity expressed in ohms and is critical in understanding how electrical circuits respond to different frequencies.

Resistance, on the other hand, is specifically related to the opposition to direct current and does not account for the effects of reactance, which includes any phase difference between voltage and current, characteristic of inductors and capacitors. Conductance refers to the ability to conduct electricity and is essentially the inverse of resistance. Voltage measures the potential energy per unit charge and is not a measure of resistance.

Understanding impedance is especially relevant in AC circuits, where it is vital for analyzing how circuits behave with varying frequencies and loads. This makes it a crucial concept in electronics and electrical engineering, ensuring efficient energy transfer in systems.