What basic electrical unit measures a material's opposition to the flow of electricity?

The basic electrical unit that measures a material's opposition to the flow of electricity is the ohm. This unit quantifies how much a material resists the passage of electric current. When a voltage is applied across a conductor, the amount of current that flows is inversely proportional to the resistance offered by that material. Thus, the higher the resistance in ohms, the less current will flow for a given voltage. This relationship is foundational in electrical engineering and is encapsulated in Ohm's Law, which states that voltage equals current times resistance (V = I × R). Understanding this concept is crucial for water distribution system operators, as they often work with electrically powered equipment and need to ensure that electrical components function safely and efficiently.