If the current through a conductor is doubled, what happens to the power dissipated in the conductor?
Correct Answer: Power becomes quadrupled.
- Step 1: Understand that power (P) in a conductor is calculated using the formula P = I^2 * R, where I is the current and R is the resistance.
- Step 2: Identify that if the current (I) is doubled, we can represent the new current as 2I.
- Step 3: Substitute the new current (2I) into the power formula: P = (2I)^2 * R.
- Step 4: Calculate (2I)^2, which equals 4I^2.
- Step 5: Now, substitute this back into the power formula: P = 4I^2 * R.
- Step 6: Compare the new power (4I^2 * R) to the original power (I^2 * R). Notice that the new power is 4 times the original power.
- Step 7: Conclude that if the current through a conductor is doubled, the power dissipated in the conductor is quadrupled.
- Ohm's Law and Power Dissipation – Understanding the relationship between current, resistance, and power in electrical circuits.
