Heating Effect Of Electric Current

Several factors lead to the heating effect of electric current. When we utilise electrical appliances, the chemical reactions in the cells that they operate on produce a voltage variation between the electrical terminals, which causes electrons to move. To maintain the flow of current, the source must expand its energy. A portion of this energy is used to do some practical tasks such as moving the fan’s blades when using electricity-generated fans, for instance. The remainder of the energy is utilised or lost in the form of heat, which increases the temperatures of appliances. If we use a solely resistive appliance circuit, then the generated energy is lost entirely as what we refer to as heat. This is known in the form of the heat effect caused by electricity.

Explain the heating effect of electric current

Let us now explain the heating effect of electric current.

Suppose a current (I) moves through a resistor with the resistance R. Consider the possible difference between the battery’s terminals being called V. Let us suppose that t will be the duration that the charge Q flows through the circuit. The effort involved by moving the charge Q by a potential difference V is “V x I”. Thus, the source must provide energy equivalent to V x time (t). So, the power supplied by the electric circuit supplied by the source is

P = V x Qt = V x I

The energy is delivered to the circuit by the source in time t is “P x t” which is power x time. The resistor absorbs this additional energy in the form of heat. Thus, for a constant as well as fixed I, how much heat represented by H that is generated at the moment t is

H = V x I x t

Joules Law Of the heating effect of electric current

The renowned scientist James Prescott found that the amount of heat produced per second in conductors that have current corresponds directly to the electric resistance in the wire, as well as the magnitude of the current. The heat released or produced by the current of electricity that flows through an electrical wire is measured in Joules.

Joule’s First Law for heating effect of electric current

Using ohm’s law for formula H = V x I x t, we can determine the Joules law or Joule’s first law that reveals the relation between the heat produced by the flowing electricity through the conductor. The heat is proportional to squares of current and the electrical resistance imposed through the appliances and the duration of the time we employed it. It is also known as “Joule’s law” of heating. The expression is:

H = I2 x R x t

Where,

• H indicates the quantity of heat.
• I indicates the amount of electrical current that is supplied.
• R is the amount or the amount of electrical resistance emitted by the conductor.
• t refers to the time during that appliance’s operation.

Factors On Which Heat Depends for heating effect of electric current

• The amount of heat generated is proportional to the wire’s electrical resistance, assuming that both the electrical current flowing through the circuit and the speed of the current remain constant.
• The quantity of released or generated heat in this conductor is proportional to the amount of electrical current flowing through the circuit when the electrical resistance and the current supply remain constant.
• The amount of heat produced or generated by the use of the flow of electricity will directly correlate with the duration of use of the flow when that electrical resistance and the flow of current are constant.

Applications of Heating Effect of Electric Current

Below are a few commonly used devices where we can find the applications of the heating effect of electric current:

The Electric Iron: It is located between the metallic part and the electric coil of one iron mica that can be found as insulation. The iron coil is heated or warm due to the constant flow of current, which is moved to the metallic component via the mica used. After a time, the metallic part is exceptionally heated, or whatever temperature we set. It is used to iron different items of clothing according to the preferences of customers.

Electrical Bulb: Electric bulb has a solid metallic wire, which is then made of tungsten, a highly resistive metal. This metal is stored in an inert, non-reactive environment to prevent reacting to a non-neutral gas or air. When electrical current passes through the tungsten wire, it gets warmer or hotter, emitting light. The majority of the electricity drawn into the electrical circuits from the source electrical is released or dissipated by way of heat. The remainder is discharged or dismissed as light energy. The tungsten filament that is used has a very high resistance to heat and a high melting point, which means it isn’t quickly heated when employed.

Electric Heating: In an electric heater, a high resistance nichrome wire will be used and is commonly used as a coil. The coil is turned or wound around grooves composed of the ceramic substance of the iron plate or the china clay plate. If the current flows through the coil, it gets heated, which is later utilised to warm our cooking pots. In the mountains, electrical room heaters are employed to keep the rooms warm from the chilly winter outside.

Conclusion

When an electrical charge is passed through a conductor, it creates excessive heat because of the resistance created by electrons in the conductors to the current flowing through. The effort to overcome the current’s resistance creates heat in the conductor. The electric heating effect generated by the current is used in many aspects in our everyday lives.