Have you tried to touch an electric iron which is plugged in to electric circuit from last few moments? Don’t try it; otherwise your hands will get burn! We daily use electric heater to make water warmth for bathing. Just try to hold the bulb which is glowing from last one hour. All of these instruments were connected to the source of electric energy, then how do they get heated? Answer lies in the new phenomenon which is adverse effect of electric current, called as heating effect of electric current.
We know that large number of electron flows from one end to another end in conductor when it carries current. These electrons consistently collide on each other while passing through the conductor, and due to their collision temperature of conductor get increased, result of this causes heat to produce in conductor.
Increase in temperature of conductor when current passing through it is known as heating effect of electric current. This is actually disadvantage of electric current, but we have used this effect as advantage on which many electric appliances are based.
Some special purpose conductor made with different alloys is very useful for production of heat using electric current called as ‘Element’.
See the pictures below which are important applications of heating effect of electric current.
- Coil of heater: Used to heat the water
- Induction cooker: Use for cooking food.
- Electric iron: Use for ironing the cloths.
Q. What do you mean by heating effect of electric current?
Ans: Increase in temperature of conductor when current passing through it is known as heating effect of electric current.
Q. Why temperature of wire gets increased when it carries current?
Ans: Large number of electron flows from one end to another end in conductor when it carries current. These electrons consistently collide on each other while passing through the conductor, and due to their collision temperature of conductor get increased.
Q. List names of instruments which works on heating effect of electric current with their uses.
Ans: Coil of heater: Used to heat the water, Induction cooker: Use for cooking food, Electric iron: Use for ironing the cloths.