Heating effect of electric current

When an electric current passes through a conductor (like high resistance wire)
the conductor becomes hot after some times and produces heat. This is called
heating effect of electric current.

Applications of heating effect of current

1.The heating effect of current is utilized in the electrical heating appliances for example electric
iron, room heaters, water heaters etc.

2.The heating effect of electric current is utilized in electric bulbs or electric lamps for producing
light.

3.An electric fuse is an important application of the heating effect of current. The working
principle of a fuse wire is based on the heating effect of current. When high current flow
through the fuse (current higher than the rated value) then the heat developed in the wire
melts it and breaks the circuit.

4.In an electric heater a high resistance material like nichrome is used. The coil is wound in
grooves on ceramic format or china clay. Flowing electric current through the coil it becomes
heated. Due to high resistance the coil becomes red color forms.
Joule’s law of heating: It states that the amount of heat produced in a
conductor is

DERIVATION
Consider a conductor AB connected to a cell as shown in figure. Let V be the potential difference applied
across the ends of the conductor.
Note: Different formulas for heat
ELECTRIC FUSE

It is a safety device connected in series with the electric circuit. Electric fuse is a
wire made of a material whose melting point is very low. The materials of
making fuse are copper or tin-lead alloy. When large current flows through a
circuit and hence through a fuse wire, a large amount of heat is produced. Due
to this large amount of heat, the fuse wire melts and the circuit is broken so
that current stops flowing in the circuit. This electric circuit from burning.
Answers

2. Resistance of electric heater , R = 1000 ohms.

current through electric heater , I = 6A

time taken to pass current through it ,t = 10 minute = 600 sec

Amount of heat produced in electric heater, H = i²Rt

= (6A)² × 1000ohms × 600s

= 36 × 600000 J
= 21600000 J

= 2.16 × 10^7 J

hence, answer should be 2.16 × 10^7 J

3. Power (P) is given by the expression,

P = VI

Voltage, V = 220 V

Current, I = 5 A

P= 220 x 5 = 1100 W

Energy consumed by the motor, ENERGY= P x t

Time, t = 2 h = 2 x 60 x 60 = 7200 s

ˆ´ P = 1100 x 7200 = 7.92 x 106 J

Therefore, power of the motor = 1100 W

Energy consumed by the motor = 7.92 x 106 J