Verified Solution Science Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects

An electric toaster and an electric bulb are connected to the same household circuit. Why does the heating element of the toaster glow red hot, while the connecting wires of the circuit barely warm up, even though the same current flows through both?

6 views 1 helpful Updated Jun 30, 2026
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Answer

The heating element of the toaster is made of a material (like nichrome) that has a very high electrical resistance. When current flows through it, significant heat is generated (Heat = I²RT). The connecting wires, however, are made of good conductors like copper, which have very low resistance. Therefore, even with the same current, much less heat is produced in the connecting wires compared to the toaster's element, causing the element to glow red hot while the wires remain cool.

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