Applications and household applications of heating electric current
Answers
Application of heating effects of current
Electric heater and water heater
When these appliances are in connection with the supply of electricity they become hot but wires remain cold. They consist nichrome which has high resistivity and hence high resistance. Heat produced is directly proportional to the resistance of material through which the current flows.
Electric bulbThe filament of an electric bulb consists of tungsten with a high melting point. A filament is enclosed in a glass envelope which is filled with nitrogen and argon gas. Since the resistance of thin filament is very high, amount of heat production is large same as the electric current that flows through the filament. Due to a large amount of heat production, the filament bulb becomes white hot. Hence filament of bulb emits light and heat.
Electric fuse
Wires consisting of some materials melt quickly and break when large electric current passes through them. These wires are used for making electric fuses. All electrical circuits in all buildings consist of electrical fuses. There is a maximum limit on the current which can safely flow through a circuit. If by accident the current exceeds this limit, the wires may overheat and cause a fire. If a proper fuse is there in the circuit, it will blow off and break the circuit.
A fuse is thus a safety device which prevents damages to electrical circuits and possible fires.When large electric current flow through a circuit and hence through fuse wire, a large amount of heat production occurs. Due to this large heat production, the fuse wire melts and the circuit breaks so that the current stops flowing through the circuit.This saves the electric circuit from burning. Electric fuses have ratings as 1A,2A,3A,5A,10A.
Electric iron
The element of the electric iron constitutes alloys having a high melting point. Electric heater and geyser work on the same mechanism