Verified Solution Science Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects

A common household appliance uses a heating element made of a special alloy. If the appliance is designed to heat water quickly, what properties would be most desirable for the heating element's material and dimensions?

6 views 2 helpful Updated Jun 30, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • AHigh resistivity, low melting point, thin wire.
  • BLow resistivity, high melting point, thick wire.
  • CHigh resistivity, high melting point, thin wire.
  • DLow resistivity, low melting point, thick wire.
Explanation

For quick heating, the element needs to generate a lot of heat, which means it should have high resistance (P=I²R).

High resistivity material and a thin wire (smaller cross-sectional area) both contribute to higher resistance. A high melting point is crucial to prevent the element from melting under high temperatures.

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