Understanding Resistance and Phasors for Non-Electrical Engineers

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Bilateral resistance refers to resistors with symmetrical characteristic curves, such as ohmic resistors, while unilateral resistance, like that of diodes, does not exhibit this symmetry. Understanding phasors and sinusoidal quantities is crucial for grasping AC circuit behavior, with resources like Wikipedia and dedicated AC theory websites being recommended for further study. The relationship between voltage and current in resistors is defined by their characteristics, which can vary among different types of resistors. Clarifying these concepts is essential for mechanical engineers venturing into electrical engineering. Mastery of these topics will enhance comprehension of electrical systems.
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Resistance and Phasors?

Hi I am a Mechanical engineer but I am taking a module in electrical, which isn't my strong point. Please can someone explain the differnce between bilateral and unilateral resistance and what is a good website to help me understand phasors and sinusoidal quantities.
Thanks x
 
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Probably wikipedia.org has some info on phasors. I'm not familiar with the terms bilateral and unilateral resistance. Can you provide some context for those terms?
 
Here's a good website for AC theory: http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/electricCircuits/AC/index.html
 
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You can define a resistor as a device in which voltage and current are related to each other at any instant. The relationship is called the characteristic of the resistor.
By this definition, an ohmic resistor, a diode or a voltage source can all be considered resistors.
A bilateral resistor is one whose characteristic curve is symmetrical in relation to the origin. An ohmic resistor is bilateral, a diode is not.
 

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