Fixed resistors today: Are carbon composition resistors the most common and least expensive type of fixed-value resistor? Assess the statement for modern practice.

Introduction / Context:
Resistor technologies have evolved. While carbon composition parts were once widespread, modern electronics overwhelmingly uses film and thick-film chip resistors for cost, stability, and availability. This question asks you to evaluate a statement that reflects an older era.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Contemporary mass production favors SMD thick-film and metal-film resistors.
• Selection criteria include tolerance, temperature coefficient, noise, surge behavior, and cost.
• Carbon composition remains niche (e.g., surge/impulse applications) and is relatively costly.

Concept / Approach:
Compare technologies: carbon composition has higher noise, wider tolerances, and poorer long-term stability than metal-film or thick-film. Large-scale manufacturing of chip resistors drove prices down, making them the most common and economical for general use. Therefore, the statement that carbon composition are the most common and least expensive is not aligned with current industry practice.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Distributor inventories show far greater selection and lower pricing for film-based resistors; carbon composition is limited and comparatively expensive per unit.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Correct: Would imply a market reality that no longer exists broadly.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming historical textbooks reflect current sourcing. Ignoring that some specialty surge applications still specify carbon composition, which does not make them “most common.”

Final Answer:
Incorrect