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(a) Make an order-of-magnitude estimate of the resistance between the ends of a rubber band. (b) Make an order-of-magnitude estimate of the resistance between the "heads' and 'tails' sides of a penny. In each case state what quantities you take as data and the values you measure or estimate for them. (c) WARNING! Do not try this at home! What is the order of magnitude of the current that each would carry if it were connected across a \(120-\mathrm{V}\) power supply?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The resistance between the ends of a rubber band is approximately \[10^{10} \Omega\] while between the head and tail of a penny is approximately \[0.01 \Omega\]. If either were applied to a 120V power supply, the rubber band would carry about \[10^{-8} A\] of current, whereas the penny would draw about \[12000 A\], which could be very hazardous.

Step by step solution

01

Estimation of the Resistance of a Rubber Band

A rubber band has very high resistivity, around \[10^{13} \Omega \cdot m\]. Assume the length of a typical rubber band is about 0.1m and the cross-sectional area is \[10^{-6} m^2\]. Use the resistance formula \(R=蟻L/A\). Substitute the given values to calculate. This provides an order-of-magnitude estimate of the resistance of a rubber band.
02

Estimation of the Resistance of a Penny

The resistivity of a penny (made mostly of copper) is about \[10^{-8} 惟 \cdot m\]. The thickness is about \(10^{-3}m\) (which will be considered the length, L, as the current flows from heads to tails side), and the area A would be \[\pi(10^{-3}/2)^2 = 8 x 10^{-8} m^2\]. Use the resistance formula, \(R=蟻L/A\). Substitute the given values to calculate. This provides an order-of-magnitude estimate of the resistance of a penny.
03

Estimation of the Current for Rubber Band and Penny

The expected current each would carry if they were connected across a 120V power supply can be calculated using Ohm's Law, \(I=V/R\). Here, voltage V is 120V, and the resistance R for each will be the values obtained from the respective previous steps. Calculate the current and emphasize that this is a theoretical calculation and trying this at home would be dangerous, as large currents flowing through low resistant conductors can cause fires.

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Key Concepts

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

Order of Magnitude Estimation
Order of magnitude estimation is a powerful tool for quickly approximating the scale of a quantity. It鈥檚 not about getting a precise figure but rather understanding which powers of ten a number falls into. This strategy is particularly helpful in physics problems where broad estimates can simplify complex calculations.
For electric resistance, knowing the order of magnitude gives you a rough idea of how much resistance a material will have in typical situations. In our exercise, we consider two materials: a rubber band and a penny. We use the resistivity of the material, which measures how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current, to guide our estimation.
  • For a rubber band, we assume an extremely high resistivity value of about \(10^{13} \Omega \cdot m\).
  • For a penny, composed mainly of copper, a lower resistivity value of \(10^{-8} \Omega \cdot m\) is used.
Instead of seeking exact resistances, we round values to powers of ten, such as considering areas and lengths as rough orders of magnitude, providing a quick way to assess potential resistance values. This approach hugely simplifies calculations and serves well for initial assessments before delving into detailed computations.
Ohm's Law
Ohm鈥檚 Law is a fundamental concept in electricity that relates voltage \(V\), current \(I\), and resistance \(R\). It's given by the equation: \(I = \frac{V}{R}\). This law is indispensable when analyzing electrical circuits or components, as it helps determine the necessary specifications to achieve desired performance.
When applied to understand the current through a resistor, Ohm鈥檚 Law can predict how much current will flow through an object when a certain voltage is applied. In the exercise, using a standard voltage of 120V, the current can be estimated by dividing this voltage by the resistance value established earlier:
  • High resistance, such as that of a rubber band, results in very low current flow due to the high opposition to electricity.
  • Low resistance, as with a penny, allows a much higher current flow, illustrating high conductivity, which is why pennies shouldn't be connected to electrical sources.
It is critical to handle such measurements with care, and not literally, especially with conductive materials like metals that can carry significant current, posing safety risks in real-life scenarios.
Resistivity Calculations
Resistivity calculations are essential for understanding how different materials conduct electricity. Resistivity \(\rho\) is a material-specific property that quantifies how much a material resists electric current. The formula for calculating resistance \(R\) is given by:\[R = \frac{\rho L}{A}\]Here, \(L\) is the length of the conductor, and \(A\) is its cross-sectional area.
In our exercise, this formula is applied to a rubber band and a penny:
- The rubber band, with its high resistivity, has substantial resistance due to its material properties, magnifying conversion of resistivity into direct resistance due to dimensions.- The penny, with minimal resistivity, allows for low resistance, mainly determined by its relatively small cross-sectional thickness, as evaluated across its face area, where heads-to-tails signifies its length in calculation.These calculations highlight how material composition and geometry influence how easily current can flow. Such qualitative and quantitative assessments are fundamental when designing electronic components, ensuring materials can perform as required under expected electrical conditions.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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