Math Problem Statement

As part of a class project, you need to create a bun- dle of aluminum wiring. Aluminum has a resistivity of ρ = 2.65 × 10−8 Ω · m. The bundle will be L = 15 m long, and will be composed of N individual strands that each have a radius of r = 0.22 mm. In order to be certain that the wiring will not overheat, you need to ensure that the current remains below i = 12 A when it is connected to a V = 3.0 V battery. What is the maximum number of strands N you can use while ensuring that the current re- mains below 12 A? The symbolic answer should be stated in terms of ρ, L, r, i, and V , though not all of these quan- tities may be needed.

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to calculate the maximum number of strands NN such that the current ii remains below 12 A when connected to a voltage of V=3.0VV = 3.0 \, \text{V}.

Step 1: Formula for Resistance

The resistance of a single strand of aluminum wire can be calculated using the formula for resistance in terms of resistivity ρ\rho, length LL, and cross-sectional area AA:

R=ρLAR = \frac{\rho L}{A}

For a circular wire, the cross-sectional area AA is given by:

A=πr2A = \pi r^2

where rr is the radius of the wire. Therefore, the resistance of one strand is:

R=ρLπr2R = \frac{\rho L}{\pi r^2}

Step 2: Total Resistance of the Bundle

The total resistance RtotalR_{\text{total}} of NN strands in parallel can be calculated using the formula for resistors in parallel. If RR is the resistance of a single strand, then the total resistance of NN strands is:

Rtotal=RN=ρLNπr2R_{\text{total}} = \frac{R}{N} = \frac{\rho L}{N \pi r^2}

Step 3: Ohm’s Law and Current

By Ohm's Law, the current ii is related to the voltage VV and the total resistance RtotalR_{\text{total}} by the equation:

i=VRtotali = \frac{V}{R_{\text{total}}}

Substituting the expression for RtotalR_{\text{total}}:

i=VρLNπr2=Nπr2VρLi = \frac{V}{\frac{\rho L}{N \pi r^2}} = \frac{N \pi r^2 V}{\rho L}

Step 4: Solving for NN

We are given that the current ii must be less than or equal to 12 A. Therefore, we can set up the inequality:

12Nπr2VρL12 \geq \frac{N \pi r^2 V}{\rho L}

Solving for NN:

N12ρLπr2VN \leq \frac{12 \rho L}{\pi r^2 V}

Thus, the maximum number of strands NN is given by:

Nmax=12ρLπr2VN_{\text{max}} = \frac{12 \rho L}{\pi r^2 V}

Step 5: Substituting the Given Values

Now, we substitute the known values:

  • ρ=2.65×108Ωm\rho = 2.65 \times 10^{-8} \, \Omega \cdot \text{m}
  • L=15mL = 15 \, \text{m}
  • r=0.22mm=0.22×103mr = 0.22 \, \text{mm} = 0.22 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{m}
  • V=3.0VV = 3.0 \, \text{V}

Substituting these into the equation:

Nmax=12×2.65×108×15π×(0.22×103)2×3.0N_{\text{max}} = \frac{12 \times 2.65 \times 10^{-8} \times 15}{\pi \times (0.22 \times 10^{-3})^2 \times 3.0}

Let me calculate this value for you.The maximum number of strands NmaxN_{\text{max}} that can be used while ensuring the current remains below 12 A is approximately 10.46. Since the number of strands must be a whole number, the maximum number of strands NN you can use is 10.

Would you like more details on any of the steps, or have further questions?

Here are five related questions to expand your understanding:

  1. How would the result change if the radius of each strand were doubled?
  2. What happens to the current if the length of the bundle increases?
  3. How does using a material with higher resistivity affect the maximum number of strands?
  4. What is the role of parallel wiring in reducing the overall resistance?
  5. How would the calculation change if the voltage were increased to 6 V?

Tip: In parallel circuits, adding more paths for current to flow (more strands) decreases the overall resistance.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Electricity and Magnetism
Resistivity
Ohm's Law
Parallel Circuits

Formulas

R = ρL / A
A = πr^2
R_total = R / N
i = V / R_total
N_max = (12 * ρ * L) / (π * r^2 * V)

Theorems

Ohm's Law
Resistors in Parallel

Suitable Grade Level

College-level Physics or Advanced High School Physics