NEGATIVE RESISTANCE Meaning and
Definition
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Negative resistance is a fundamental electrical property that describes the behavior of certain devices or circuits, where the flow of electric current increases in response to a decrease in voltage, contrary to the usual behavior observed in most resistive elements. It refers to a situation where the voltage and current exhibit an inverse relationship, with an increase in current resulting in a decrease in voltage across the device or circuit.
In a traditional resistive component, such as a resistor, the current and voltage are directly proportional, meaning that an increase in voltage leads to an increase in current. However, in a device displaying negative resistance, an increase in current results in a decrease in voltage, hence the term "negative." This behavior opposes the natural flow of current and is often associated with certain active two-terminal electronic components, such as tunnel diodes or backward-running microwave oscillators.
Negative resistance can be utilized in various applications, such as amplification and oscillator circuits, where it can generate regenerative feedback and sustain oscillations. It can also be instrumental in reducing noise and enhancing the stability of electronic systems, effectively optimizing their performance.
In summary, negative resistance describes an electrical property observed in specific devices or circuits that exhibit an inverted relationship between current and voltage, where an increase in current is paired with a decrease in voltage.
Etymology of NEGATIVE RESISTANCE
The term "negative resistance" is derived from the combination of the Latin prefix "neg-" meaning "negative" or "opposite of", and the word "resistance" which refers to the opposition to the flow of electric current. In the context of electronics and electrical circuits, resistance is typically associated with impeding the flow of current. However, negative resistance refers to a phenomenon where current increases as voltage decreases, which seems counterintuitive. The term was coined to describe this unique behavior observed in certain electrical devices and circuits.
