Math Problem Statement

A heating element is made by maintaining a potential difference of 77.0 V across the length of a Nichrome wire that has a 3.30 × 10-6 m? cross section. Nichrome has a resistivity of 5.00 × 10-7 Q•m. (a) If the element dissipates 7490 W, what is its length? (b) If 114 V is used to obtain the same dissipation rate, what should the length be?

Solution

To solve the problem, we can use the following concepts:

  1. Power Dissipated by a Resistor:
    The power PP dissipated by a resistor is given by: P=V2RP = \frac{V^2}{R} where VV is the potential difference (voltage) and RR is the resistance.

  2. Resistance of a Wire:
    The resistance RR of a wire is related to its resistivity ρ\rho, length LL, and cross-sectional area AA by: R=ρLAR = \rho \frac{L}{A}

Part (a): Finding the Length of the Wire for 77.0 V

We are given:

  • Power, P=7490WP = 7490 \, \text{W}
  • Voltage, V=77.0VV = 77.0 \, \text{V}
  • Cross-sectional area, A=3.30×106m2A = 3.30 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{m}^2
  • Resistivity of Nichrome, ρ=5.00×107Ωm\rho = 5.00 \times 10^{-7} \, \Omega \cdot \text{m}

First, solve for the resistance using the power formula: P=V2RP = \frac{V^2}{R} Rearrange to find RR: R=V2P=(77.0V)27490W=5929V27490W=0.7915ΩR = \frac{V^2}{P} = \frac{(77.0 \, \text{V})^2}{7490 \, \text{W}} = \frac{5929 \, \text{V}^2}{7490 \, \text{W}} = 0.7915 \, \Omega

Next, use the resistance formula to solve for the length LL: R=ρLAR = \rho \frac{L}{A} Rearrange to find LL: L=RAρ=(0.7915Ω)(3.30×106m2)5.00×107ΩmL = \frac{R A}{\rho} = \frac{(0.7915 \, \Omega)(3.30 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{m}^2)}{5.00 \times 10^{-7} \, \Omega \cdot \text{m}} L=2.61195×106Ωm25.00×107Ωm=5.224mL = \frac{2.61195 \times 10^{-6} \, \Omega \cdot \text{m}^2}{5.00 \times 10^{-7} \, \Omega \cdot \text{m}} = 5.224 \, \text{m}

So, the length of the wire is approximately 5.22 meters.


Part (b): Finding the Length of the Wire for 114 V

For the second part, we want the same power dissipation (7490 W), but now with a voltage of 114 V. Using the same power formula: R=V2P=(114V)27490W=12996V27490W=1.735ΩR = \frac{V^2}{P} = \frac{(114 \, \text{V})^2}{7490 \, \text{W}} = \frac{12996 \, \text{V}^2}{7490 \, \text{W}} = 1.735 \, \Omega

Now solve for the new length LL: L=RAρ=(1.735Ω)(3.30×106m2)5.00×107ΩmL = \frac{R A}{\rho} = \frac{(1.735 \, \Omega)(3.30 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{m}^2)}{5.00 \times 10^{-7} \, \Omega \cdot \text{m}} L=5.7255×106Ωm25.00×107Ωm=11.451mL = \frac{5.7255 \times 10^{-6} \, \Omega \cdot \text{m}^2}{5.00 \times 10^{-7} \, \Omega \cdot \text{m}} = 11.451 \, \text{m}

So, the length of the wire should be approximately 11.45 meters to achieve the same power dissipation with 114 V.


Summary of Results:

  • (a) The length of the wire for 77.0 V is approximately 5.22 m.
  • (b) The length of the wire for 114 V is approximately 11.45 m.

Do you have any questions or want more details on any step?


Here are 5 follow-up questions you might find interesting:

  1. How does the length of the wire affect its resistance?
  2. What happens to the power dissipation if the cross-sectional area changes?
  3. How would the dissipation rate change if the material's resistivity were different?
  4. What would be the length if the power dissipation was reduced to 5000 W at 77.0 V?
  5. How does temperature affect the resistivity of Nichrome wire?

Tip: Resistance increases linearly with the length of a wire, meaning doubling the length will double the resistance.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Electrical Power
Ohm's Law
Resistivity
Algebra

Formulas

P = V^2 / R
R = ρ(L/A)

Theorems

Ohm's Law

Suitable Grade Level

Grade 11-12 (Physics and Advanced Math)