Verified Solution Science Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects

You have two insulated copper wires, P and Q, of the same length and material. Wire P is significantly thinner than Wire Q. If the exact same amount of electric current is passed through both wires for an equal duration, which wire will generate more heat, and what is the primary reason for this difference?

6 views 2 helpful Updated Jun 30, 2026
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Answer

Wire P (the thinner wire) will generate more heat. The primary reason is that a thinner wire of the same material and length has a higher electrical resistance compared to a thicker wire. According to the heating effect of electric current (H = I²Rt), when the same current (I) flows for the same duration (t), the wire with higher resistance (R) will produce more heat.

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