Homework 5.2.

3
Joule heating power; electric power

1. Which of the following is a unit for electrical resistance?

(A) W A−2 (B) A V −1 (C) V W −2 s (D) W V −2 [1]

2. [Show your work] An electric motor is used to raise a weight of 2.0 N. When connected to a 4.0 V supply, the
current in the motor is 1.5 A. Assuming no energy losses, the best estimate for the maximum steady speed at
which the weight can be raised is
(A) 0.3 m s−1 (B) 3.0 m s −1 (C) 9.0 m s−1 (D) 12.0 m s−1 [1]

3. [Show your work] The filament of a 240 V, 100 W electric lamp heats up from room temperature to its
operating temperature. As it heats up, its resistance increases by a factor of 16. What is the resistance of this
lamp at room temperature?
(A) 36 Ω (B) 580 Ω (C) 1.5 kΩ (D) 9.3 kΩ [1]

4. What physical quantity would result from a calculation in which a potential difference is multiplied by an
electric charge?
(A) electric current (B) electric energy
(C) electric field strength (D) electric power [1]

5. The diagram shows four heaters and the current in each. Which heater has the greatest power dissipation?

[1]

6. [Show your work] A power cable X has a resistance R and carries current I. A second cable Y has a resistance
2R and carries current I/2.
power dissipated in Y
What is the ratio ?
power dissipated in X
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/2 (C) 2 (D) 4 [1]
7. [Show your work] A total charge of 100 C flows through a 12 W light bulb in a time of 50 s.
What is the potential difference across the bulb during this time?
(A) 0.12 V (B) 2.0 V (C) 6.0 V (D) 24 V [1]

8. A lamp is designed to operate at normal brightness with a potential difference of 12 V across its filament. The
current in the filament is 0.50 A. For the lamp at normal brightness, calculate
(a) the power dissipated in the filament. [1]

(b) the resistance of the filament. [1]

9. The arrangement of resistors shown below is connected to a battery.

The power dissipation in the 100 Ω resistor is 0.81 W. Calculate

(a) the current in the circuit, [1]

(b) the power dissipation in each of the 25 Ω resistors. [2]

10. An electric heater is rated as 240 V, 1.2 kW and has constant resistance.
(a) For the heater operating at 240V,
(i) show that the current in the heater is 5.0 A. [1]

(ii) calculate the resistance [1]

(b) the heater in (a) is connected to a mains supply by means of two long cables, as illustrated below.

The cables have a total resistance of 4.0 Ω. The voltage of the mains supply is adjusted so that the heater
operates normally at 240 V. Wsing your answer in (a), where appropriate, calculate:
(i) the potential difference across the cables, [1]

(ii) the voltage of the mains supply, [1]

(iii) the power dissipated in the cables. [1]

(c) Using information from (b), determine the efficiency at which power is transferred from the supply to the
heater. [1]