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The maximum safe current in 12-gauge (2.1-mm-diameter) copper wire is 20 A. Find (a) the current density and (b) the electric field under these conditions.

Short Answer

Expert verified
a) The current density in the wire is approximately 1.43 x 10^6 A/m^2. b) The electric field in the wire under these conditions is approximately 24 V/m.

Step by step solution

01

Find cross-sectional Area of the wire

Firstly, it's needed to calculate the cross-sectional area of the wire. Copper wire is circular in cross section, so the area \(A\) can be calculated using the formula \(A=蟺r^2\), where \(r\) is the radius of the wire, which is half the diameter given (2.1mm/2). Don't forget to convert mm to meters to keep units consistent.
02

Calculate current density

With the cross-sectional area and the current, the current density \(J\) can be calculated using the formula \(J=I/A\), where \(I\) is the current and \(A\) is the cross-sectional Area.
03

Calculate electric field

With the current density, the electric field \(E\) can be calculated using the formula \(E=蟻J\), where \(蟻\) is the resistivity of copper, and \(J\) is the current density. The resistivity of copper is a known constant (1.68 x 10^-8 Ohm.m).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Electric Field
Understanding the electric field is key to grasping how charges interact within a conductor. The electric field, denoted as \(E\), represents the force per unit charge that is experienced within the conductor. Calculating the electric field in a material like copper involves understanding its resistivity and current density. The electric field is calculated using the relation \(E = \rho J\), where \(\rho\) is the resistivity and \(J\) is the current density.
The electric field is a vector quantity. It has both magnitude and direction, pointing from positive to negative potential. It is vital for understanding how voltage (electric potential difference) influences current flow in a conductor.
For students, it's important to recognize that while the electric field might seem an abstract concept, it has real-world implications. It determines how easily current flows through a material given the potential difference.
Resistivity of Copper
Resistivity is a property of materials that illustrates how much they resist the flow of electric current. Copper is known for its low resistivity, which is approximately \(1.68 \times 10^{-8} \Omega \cdot m\). This makes it an excellent conductor of electricity, widely used in electrical wiring.
- The resistivity of a material is temperature-dependent, typically increasing with rising temperature.
- Low resistivity means a material can carry more current with less energy loss as heat.
- Since copper has low resistivity, it is highly efficient, which justifies its use in household and industrial circuits.
Understanding resistivity helps when calculating the current that can safely pass through a wire without causing excessive heating. In this context, knowing copper鈥檚 resistivity allows us to compute the electric field when the current density is known.
Cross-Sectional Area Calculation
For current density and electric field calculations, determining the cross-sectional area of a conductor is crucial. In the case of a copper wire, this area is calculated assuming a circular cross-section. The formula used is \(A = \pi r^2\), where \(r\) is the radius of the wire. Given a diameter of 2.1 mm:
1. Convert the diameter to meters (2.1 mm = 0.0021 m).
2. Find the radius by dividing the diameter by two \(\left(r = \frac{2.1 \, \text{mm}}{2} = 1.05 \, \text{mm} = 0.00105 \, \text{m}\right)\).
3. Substitute into the formula to find the area \(A = \pi (0.00105)^2\).
Calculating the cross-sectional area appropriately is essential, as this value directly impacts the current density \(J = \frac{I}{A}\). A smaller area would mean higher current density for the same current, which could influence the wire's operational safety limits. Understanding the geometric calculations helps to ensure accuracy in further electric field calculations as well.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Does an electric stove burner draw more current when it's first turned on or when it's fully hot?

You touch a defective appliance while standing on the ground, and you feel the tingle of a 2.5-mA current. What's your resistance, assuming you're touching the "hot" side of the \(120-\mathrm{V}\) household wiring?

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A constant electric field generally produces a constant drift velocity. How is this consistent with Newton's assertion that force results in acceleration, not velocity?

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