What is the term for a material's opposition to the flow of electric current?

The term for a material's opposition to the flow of electric current is resistance. Resistance quantifies how much a material hinders the movement of electric charges through it. In practical terms, it is an essential concept in electrical circuits, as it determines how easily current can flow.

Resistance is measured in ohms, and it plays a critical role in the functioning of various electronic devices. Different materials exhibit varying levels of resistance; for example, metals like copper have low resistance and are good conductors, while rubber has high resistance and acts as an insulator.

Conductance, while related, refers to how easily electricity flows through a material and is the inverse of resistance. Impedance is a more complex measure that includes both resistance and reactance in alternating current (AC) circuits. Capacitance deals with the ability of a material to store electrical energy in an electric field. These concepts are distinct and serve different purposes in understanding electrical behavior.