What is heating and magnetic effect of electric current?
An electric current is passing through a conductor which becomes hot after some time and produces heat. This is due to the conversion of some of the electrical energy that passes through the conductor, into heat energy. This effect of electric current is called the heating effect of current.
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What is heating and magnetic effect of electric current?
Heating Effects of Electric Current
The fundamental law of conservation of energy states that the total energy in an isolated system is always constant. It means that energy can neither be created nor destroyed – it can only be transferred from one form to the other.
To understand this, take a look at this example. When we line up a row of dominoes and tip over the first piece, it results in a chain reaction which causes them to fall. This happens because the mechanical energy of the first domino is transferred to the mechanical energy of the next domino and so on. And the energy remains mechanical, as it is passed on from one domino unto another.
What is heating and magnetic effect of electric current?
Heating Effect of Electric Current:
When an electric current flows through a conductor, it produces heat. This phenomenon is known as the heating effect of electric current. The heating effect is a result of the resistance offered by the conductor to the flow of electric current.
Explanation:
- Joule's Law: The amount of heat produced in a conductor is directly proportional to the square of the current flowing through it, the resistance of the conductor, and the time for which the current flows. This relationship is given by Joule's law, which states that the heat produced (H) is equal to the product of current (I), resistance (R), and time (t), i.e., H = I^2 * R * t.
- Resistance: Every conductor has some resistance, which opposes the flow of electric current. When current passes through a conductor, the resistance causes collisions between the electric charges and the atoms of the conductor, leading to the conversion of electrical energy into heat energy.
- Effect on Conductor: The heating effect of electric current can have consequences on a conductor. If the current flowing through a conductor exceeds its capacity to dissipate heat, it can cause the conductor to overheat and potentially damage or melt. This is why electrical appliances have a specified current rating to prevent excessive heating.
Magnetic Effect of Electric Current:
When an electric current flows through a conductor, it creates a magnetic field around it. This phenomenon is known as the magnetic effect of electric current.
Explanation:
- Ampere's Right-Hand Rule: According to Ampere's right-hand rule, if we hold the conductor in our right hand with the thumb pointing in the direction of the current, the curled fingers will indicate the direction of the magnetic field lines around the conductor.
- Solenoid: When a current-carrying conductor is wound into multiple loops, it forms a solenoid. A solenoid produces a strong magnetic field inside it when an electric current flows through it. The magnetic field lines inside a solenoid run in a helical pattern.
- Electromagnet: An electromagnet is a temporary magnet that is created by winding a conducting wire around a soft iron core and passing an electric current through it. The strength of the magnetic field generated by an electromagnet can be controlled by varying the current flowing through the conductor.
- Applications: The magnetic effect of electric current finds numerous applications in our daily lives. It is utilized in various devices such as electric motors, transformers, generators, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, speakers, and many more.
In summary, the heating effect of electric current refers to the production of heat when an electric current flows through a conductor, while the magnetic effect of electric current refers to the creation of a magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor. Both phenomena have significant practical applications and contribute to the functioning of various electrical devices.
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