Flex Sensor vs. Ordinary Resistor: Understanding the Difference

A flex sensor is a type of variable resistor that changes its resistance value based on the degree of flex or bend it undergoes. It's made up of a flexible material with conductive elements that change their position and distance from each other as the sensor bends. This change in distance and position affects the flow of electric current, resulting in a change in resistance.

An ordinary resistor, on the other hand, is a passive two-terminal electronic component that has a fixed resistance value. It restricts the flow of electric current in a circuit and helps control the amount of current flowing through various components.

Both the flex sensor and ordinary resistor are used to regulate the flow of electric current in a circuit. However, while an ordinary resistor has a fixed resistance value, a flex sensor's resistance value varies depending on its degree of flex. This property makes the flex sensor particularly useful in applications where the measurement of physical bending or flexing is required, such as in robotic systems, medical devices, or motion-sensing applications.