Which of the following components is typically used to provide electrical resistance in a circuit?

The correct answer is a resistor. Resistors are specifically designed to introduce electrical resistance into a circuit. Their primary function is to limit the flow of electric current, adjust signal levels, divide voltages, and dissipate power in the form of heat. This makes them essential components in various electrical and electronic applications, including circuit design, where controlling current levels is crucial for the proper functionality of components and systems.

Inductors, while they can oppose changes in current due to their inductance, store energy in a magnetic field rather than providing a fixed resistance like resistors do. Transformers are used to change the voltage level in alternating current (AC) circuits through electromagnetic induction, but they do not provide resistance. Capacitors store electrical energy in an electric field and are used mainly for energy storage and smoothing out voltage and current fluctuations, not for providing resistance. Thus, in the context of providing electrical resistance specifically, the resistor is the clear choice.