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Why does the cord of an electric heater ...

Why does the cord of an electric heater not glow while the heating element does ?

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The cord of an electric heater is made of thick copper wire and has much lower resistance than its element. For the same current `(I)` flowing through the cord and the element, heat produced `(I^2 Rt)` in the element is much more than that produced in the cord. Consequently, the element becomes very hot and glows whereas the cord does not become hot and as such does not glow.
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(i) The potential difference between two points in an electric circuit is 1 volt. What does it mean? Name a device that helps to measure the potential difference across a conductor. (ii) Why does the connecting cord of an electric heater not glow while the heating element does? (iii) Electrical resistivities of some substances at 20^(@)C are given below: Answer the following questions using above data: (a) Among silver and copper, which one is a better conductor? Why? (b) Which material would you advise to be used in electrical heating devices and why?

(a) What is meant by saying that the potential difference two points is 1 volt ? Name a device that helps to measure the potential difference across a conductor. (b) Why does the connecting cord of an electric heater not glow hot while the heating element does ? ( c) Electrical resistivities of some substances at 20^@ C are given below : Silver 1.60 xx 10^-8 Omega m Copper 1.62 xx 10^-8 Omega m Tungsten 5.20 xx 10^-8 Omega m Iron 10.0 xx 10^-8 Omega m Mercury 94.0 xx 10^-8 Omega m Nichrome 100 xx 10^-6 Omega m . Answer the following question in relation to them : (i) Among silver and copper, which one is a better conductor ? Why ? (ii) Which material would you advise to be used in electrical heating devices ? Why ?

Knowledge Check

  • Element of an electric heater is made of which of the following metals ?

    A
    Nichrome
    B
    Copper
    C
    Aluminium
    D
    None of the above

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