What type of loading device experiences changes in resistance as dissipated power changes?

A bolometer is designed to measure the power of incident electromagnetic radiation by utilizing a thin film that absorbs the radiation and experiences a change in temperature, which in turn alters its resistance. As the incident power increases or decreases, the temperature of the bolometer changes, leading to a corresponding adjustment in its resistance. This property allows it to effectively convert changes in power levels into measurable changes in resistance, making it a useful tool for detecting or measuring thermal radiation.

In contrast, a thermistor is also a type of resistor that changes resistance with temperature, but it is primarily used for temperature measurement rather than specifically for monitoring changes in dissipated power. Resistive loads do absorb power and cause changes in current, but the primary focus is on the load itself rather than its resistance change with respect to power. Inductive loads involve changes in magnetic fields rather than resistance changes due to power dissipation. Hence, the unique response of a bolometer to changes in power directly relates to its functionality in measuring absorbed energy through variations in resistance.