Which device has a resistance that varies with temperature and is used to sense temperature in electronic circuits?

Which device has a resistance that varies with temperature and is used to sense temperature in electronic circuits?

• A. Resistor
• B. Thermocouple
• C. Temperature Sensor
• D. Thermistor

Answer: (D)

A thermistor is a temperature-sensing device whose resistance changes with temperature. This change in resistance is what lets the circuit read temperature: as temperature shifts, the thermistor’s resistance either rises (PTC) or falls (NTC), producing a measurable signal that can be converted to temperature. This makes it distinct from a general resistor, which is designed to have a relatively constant resistance (even though real parts have some temperature coefficient, they’re not intended as sensors). It’s also different from a thermocouple, which generates a voltage proportional to temperature rather than a change in resistance. And while a temperature sensor is any device that detects temperature, thermistors are a specific, commonly used type that relies on resistance variation for sensing.

A thermistor is a temperature-sensing device whose resistance changes with temperature. This change in resistance is what lets the circuit read temperature: as temperature shifts, the thermistor’s resistance either rises (PTC) or falls (NTC), producing a measurable signal that can be converted to temperature.

This makes it distinct from a general resistor, which is designed to have a relatively constant resistance (even though real parts have some temperature coefficient, they’re not intended as sensors). It’s also different from a thermocouple, which generates a voltage proportional to temperature rather than a change in resistance. And while a temperature sensor is any device that detects temperature, thermistors are a specific, commonly used type that relies on resistance variation for sensing.