Resistors Get Hot When an Electric Current Passes Through Them

Question 1

What happens when there is an electric current in a resistor?

Answer 1

There is an energy transfer which beats the resistor

Question 2

Why does this happen?

Answer 2

Because the electrons collide with the ions in the lattice that make up the resistor as they flow through it

Question 3

What does this give the ions?

Answer 3

Energy, which causes them to vibrate and heat up

Question 4

What does this heating effect do and what does this mean?

Answer 4

Increases the resistor’s resistance - so less current will flow, or a greater voltage will be needed to produce the same current

Question 5

What can this heating effect cause and what does this mean?

Answer 5

Components in the circuit to melt - which means the circuit will stop working, or not work properly

Question 6

How do fuses use the heating effect?

Answer 6

They melt and break the circuit if the currents gets too high

Question 7

How do toasters work?

Answer 7

Contain a coil of wire with a really high resistance
When a current passes through the coil, it’s temperature increases so much that it glows giving of Indra-red (heat) radiation which cooks the bread