What happens when electric current is made to flow through a conductor...
When electric current flows through a conductor, some amount of electrical energy is converted into heat energy.
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What happens when electric current is made to flow through a conductor...
When electric current is made to flow through a conductor, several effects occur. One of the main effects is the conversion of electrical energy into heat energy. This occurs due to the resistance offered by the conductor to the flow of electric current. Here is a detailed explanation of why electrical energy is converted into heat energy when current flows through a conductor:
1. Resistance in the Conductor:
- The conductor, such as a wire, has a certain amount of resistance to the flow of electric current.
- Resistance can be thought of as an opposition to the flow of electrons in a conductor.
- When electric current flows through a conductor, the electrons collide with the atoms and molecules of the conductor, causing resistance.
2. Joule Heating:
- As the electric current encounters resistance in the conductor, the electrons lose some of their energy in the form of heat.
- This process is known as Joule heating or Ohmic heating.
- According to Joule's law, the amount of heat produced in a conductor is directly proportional to the square of the current flowing through it and the resistance of the conductor.
- The formula for calculating heat produced is H = I^2 * R * t, where H is the heat produced, I is the current, R is the resistance, and t is the time.
3. Conservation of Energy:
- According to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed but can only be converted from one form to another.
- When electric current flows through a conductor, some of the electrical energy is converted into heat energy due to the resistance in the conductor.
- This heat energy is dissipated into the surrounding environment.
4. Applications:
- The conversion of electrical energy into heat energy is utilized in various practical applications.
- For example, electric heaters and toasters use wires with high resistance to convert electrical energy into heat energy, providing warmth or cooking food.
- Similarly, incandescent light bulbs also convert electrical energy into heat energy, which then produces light as a byproduct.
In conclusion, when electric current is made to flow through a conductor, electrical energy is converted into heat energy due to the resistance offered by the conductor. This phenomenon, known as Joule heating, occurs as the electrons collide with the atoms and molecules of the conductor, resulting in the dissipation of energy in the form of heat.
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