Verified Solution Science Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects

Two electric heating coils, P and Q, are made of wires of the same material and length. Coil P uses a wire with a diameter of 1 mm, while Coil Q uses a wire with a diameter of 2 mm. If both coils are connected to the same voltage source for the same duration, which coil will produce more heat?

5 views 1 helpful Updated Jun 30, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • ACoil P
  • BCoil Q
  • CBoth will produce equal heat
  • DCannot be determined without current values
Explanation

Heat produced (H) is given by H = V²/R * t. For the same material and length, resistance (R) is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area (or square of diameter). Coil Q has a larger diameter (2 mm) than Coil P (1 mm), so Coil Q has a lower resistance. Since R is in the denominator, a lower resistance for the same voltage source means more heat will be produced by Coil Q.

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