What type of component reduces its resistance when heated?

The correct answer is a negative temperature coefficient thermistor because this type of thermistor is specifically designed to have a decrease in resistance as its temperature rises. This property makes negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors particularly useful in applications where temperature monitoring or control is necessary, such as in temperature sensors and circuits that require current limiting.

As the temperature increases, the charge carriers in an NTC thermistor become more mobile, allowing current to flow more freely, which results in a reduction in resistance. This characteristic is utilized in various electronic applications, including temperature sensing and compensation circuits.

In contrast, other options do not exhibit this behavior. A positive temperature coefficient thermistor increases its resistance with temperature, making it unsuitable for applications where reduced resistance with an increase in temperature is desired. Standard resistors maintain a constant resistance regardless of temperature changes, while inductors primarily store energy in a magnetic field and do not directly relate to resistance variations with temperature.