Question

why is heat produced when current is passed through a conductor

Answer 1

when electric current is passed through the conductor the conductor becomes hot after sometime due to conversion of electric energy passing through the conductor into heat energy and this produces heat.

Answer 2

Heat is produced when current is passed through a conductor because -

• Whenever a certain amount of potential difference is being applied across a conductor, the flow of electron is observed from negative terminal towards the positive terminal. (this flow of electrons is basically the current flow)
• During previously mentioned motion of electrons, the electrons often collide with each other and with the atoms of the conductor itself. (or, in other words the electrons have to overcome the resistance of the conductor)
• These collisions become the reason behind the loss of kinetic energy of the electrons, and the lost kinetic energy is later transformed into heat energy.

Mathematical expression for the produced heat in a conductor :

• H = I²RT

Where,

1. H = Amount of produced heat
2. I = Electric current
3. R = Resistance of the conductor
4. T = Time

Which also implies that, the heat produced in a current carrying conductor is based upon - amount of current flow, resistance of the conductor and time of current flow.