Ohmic and non-ohmic behaviour
What Ohmic and non-ohmic behaviour means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Ohmic and non-ohmic behaviour
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Ohmic and non-ohmic behaviour in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
A fixed resistor at constant temperature has current directly proportional to p.d., giving a straight line through the origin, while a filament lamp is non-ohmic because its resistance changes with temperature.
For an ohmic conductor the graph is a straight line through the origin, while a filament lamp curve shows resistance increasing as it heats up.
Topics that use Ohmic and non-ohmic behaviour
- Current–voltage characteristics (AQA A-Level)
- Resistance (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Graph interpretation
- Non-ohmic behaviour
- Ohmic conductor
- Temperature dependence of resistance
- Circuit design for measurement
- Component protection
- Current–voltage characteristics
- Data logging and graphing
Using Ohmic and non-ohmic behaviour in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Physics questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge