Resistance is best described as what?

Resistance refers to the capacity of a material or component to resist the flow of electric current. It is a property of electrical circuits that affects how easily electrons move through a conductor. When discussing resistance in this context, it is essentially the force that impedes the motion of electrons. This force causes energy to be converted into heat, which is why resistive elements can become warm during operation.

In electrical terms, resistance is measured in ohms (Ω), and its effects can be described using Ohm's Law, which relates voltage, current, and resistance. High resistance means that a larger force is required to push electrons through the material, while low resistance implies that electrons can flow more freely.

The other options pertain to different electrical concepts and do not accurately define resistance. The amount of energy in a circuit relates to its total energy consumption, rather than the opposition faced by electrons. The difference in electric potential, known as voltage, indicates the potential energy available to drive charge movement but is distinct from resistance itself. Power dissipated through a circuit relates to the energy converted into other forms (like heat) during the flow of current, again not describing resistance directly.