Final answer:
Electrical resistance in a circuit is affected by the circuit diameter, temperature of the environment, and circuit length. Larger diameter means lower resistance, while longer length increases resistance. Temperature influences resistance in that higher temperatures usually increase resistance in conductors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics that affect electrical resistance in a circuit include the diameter of the circuit, the temperature of the environment, and the length of the circuit. The diameter, specifically the cross-sectional area, and the length of a wire or component in a circuit are directly related to its resistance. The larger the cross-sectional area (or the bigger the diameter), the lower the resistance, because there's more room for current to flow. Conversely, the longer the circuit or component, the higher the resistance, as there are more chances for electrons to collide with atoms, impeding their flow. Additionally, temperature also affects resistance -- increasing temperature generally increases resistance in conductors because atoms vibrate more at higher temperatures, causing more collisions with electrons. However, this behavior might differ in semiconductors and insulators.