Question

The IR drop across a resistor means that there is a change in potential or voltage across the resistor. Is there any change in current as it passes through a resistor? Explain.

Short answer

The presence of a resistor reduces the current in the circuit as a whole.

This does not imply that the outflow of charge is less than the inflow; rather, the flow over the entire wire is less with the resistor than without.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of voltage and resistor

The potential difference is the difference between the greater and lower potentials of two points, whereas the voltage is the amount of energy necessary to transfer a unit charge between two sites.

A resistor is a two-terminal passive electrical component that acts as a circuit element by implementing electrical resistance.

Explanation

The presence of a resistor reduces the current in the circuit as a whole.

This does not imply that the outflow of charge is less than the inflow; rather, the flow over the entire wire is less with the resistor than without.

Consider the resistor to be a kink in an air hose.

The flow before and after the kink (resistor) is reduced, but the same amount of water flows into and out of the kink (resistor); otherwise, water (electrons) would build inside the hose (resistor).