A rheostat is a variable resistor that regulates the current flow. They can change the resistance in a circuit without breaking it. The design is very similar to that of potentiometers. Even when three terminals (as in a potentiometer) are present, it only uses two connections.
The wiper and one end of the resistance track have their own terminals on rheostats. The rheostat is a variable resistor that allows you to change the amount of current flowing through a circuit by changing its resistance.
This resistive route can use resistive materials like carbon composition resistors, wire-wound resistors, conductive plastic resistors, and ceramic resistors.
The three primary elements that determine a material's resistance are its length, cross-sectional area, and type.
Because resistance is related to length, the resistance increases as the effective length increases. Similarly, as the effective length lowers, the rheostat's resistance diminishes.