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Chapter 29: Problem 9

When you plug a refrigerator into a wall socket, on occasion, a spark appears between the prongs. What causes this?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Short Answer: Occasional sparks between the prongs of a refrigerator plug when plugged into a wall socket can be caused by factors such as inrush current, capacitive coupling, contact bounce, and oxidation on the prongs or socket contacts. This is a normal phenomenon and is generally not a cause for concern unless the sparks are severe or continuous, which could indicate a potential electrical issue that needs attention.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the role of electrical sockets and plugs

Electrical sockets provide an outlet for electrical power to flow from the home's electrical circuit into a device, such as a refrigerator, when the device is connected using a plug. The prongs of the plug establish this connection, allowing electricity to flow safely.
02

Explain electricity and electromagnetism in plug connections

When electrical power flows through a circuit, it generates an electromagnetic field, and this field can be concentrated at the point where the prongs of the plug connect with the contacts in the electrical socket. This field can induce a potential difference, or voltage, between the prongs.
03

Discuss the factors responsible for sparks

There are several factors that can contribute to the occurrence of sparks when plugging in a refrigerator: 1. Inrush current: When a refrigerator is initially plugged in, it can draw a large amount of electrical current (called inrush current) as it starts up the compressor. This sudden increase in current can lead to a spark between the prongs. 2. Capacitive coupling: The refrigerator's power-supply cables and internal components can act as a capacitor (a device that stores electrical energy). When the refrigerator is plugged in, this capacitor starts to charge, and rapid charging can cause a spark between the prongs. 3. Contact bounce: When the plug prongs make contact with the metal contacts inside the socket, they can momentarily bounce, causing multiple contact points and resulting in sparks. This is known as contact bounce. 4. Oxidation on the prongs or socket contacts: Over time, the prongs and socket contacts can develop a thin layer of oxidation or dirt. This can increase the electrical resistance at the point of contact, causing a localized heating effect and resulting in sparks.
04

Summarize the factors causing occasional sparks

In summary, the occasional sparks between the prongs of a refrigerator plug when plugged into a wall socket can be caused by inrush current, capacitive coupling, contact bounce, oxidation, or a combination of these factors. This is a common phenomenon and can be safely disregarded unless the sparks are severe or continuous, which could indicate an electrical issue that needs to be addressed.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Two parallel conducting rails with negligible resistance are connected at one end by a resistor of resistance \(R\), as shown in the figure. The rails are placed in a magnetic field \(\vec{B}_{\text {ext }},\) which is perpendicular to the plane of the rails. This magnetic field is uniform and time independent. The distance between the rails is \(\ell\). A conducting rod slides without friction on top of the two rails at constant velocity \(\vec{v}\). a) Using Faraday's Law of Induction, calculate the magnitude of the potential difference induced in the moving rod. b) Calculate the magnitude of the induced current in the \(\operatorname{rod}, i_{\text {ind }}\). c) Show that for the rod to move at a constant velocity as shown, it must be pulled with an external force, \(\vec{F}_{\mathrm{ext}},\) and calculate the magnitude of this force. d) Calculate the work done, \(W_{\text {ext }},\) and the power generated, \(P_{\text {ext }}\), by the external force in moving the rod. e) Calculate the power used (dissipated) by the resistor, \(P_{\mathrm{R}}\). Explain the correlation between this result and those of part (d).

A solenoid with 200 turns and a cross-sectional area of \(60 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}\) has a magnetic field of \(0.60 \mathrm{~T}\) along its axis. If the field is confined within the solenoid and changes at a rate of \(0.20 \mathrm{~T} / \mathrm{s}\), the magnitude of the induced potential difference in the solenoid will be a) \(0.0020 \mathrm{~V}\). b) \(0.02 \mathrm{~V}\). c) \(0.001 \mathrm{~V}\). d) \(0.24 \mathrm{~V}\).

Large electric fields are certainly a hazard to the human body, as they can produce dangerous currents, but what about large magnetic fields? A man \(1.80 \mathrm{~m}\) tall walks at \(2.00 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\) perpendicular to a horizontal magnetic field of \(5.0 \mathrm{~T} ;\) that is, he walks between the pole faces of a very big magnet. (Such a magnet can, for example, be found in the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University.) Given that his body is full of conducting fluids, estimate the potential difference induced between his head and feet.

A solid metal disk of radius \(R\) is rotating around its center axis at a constant angular speed of \(\omega .\) The disk is in a uniform magnetic field of magnitude \(B\) that is oriented normal to the surface of the disk. Calculate the magnitude of the potential difference between the center of the disk and the outside edge.

A circular conducting loop with radius \(a\) and resistance \(R_{2}\) is concentric with a circular conducting loop with radius \(b \gg a(b\) much greater than \(a\) ) and resistance \(R_{1}\). A time-dependent voltage is applied to the larger loop, having a slow sinusoidal variation in time given by \(V(t)=V_{0} \sin \omega t\) where \(V_{0}\) and \(\omega\) are constants with dimensions of voltage and inverse time, respectively. Assuming that the magnetic field throughout the inner loop is uniform (constant in space) and equal to the field at the center of the loop, derive expressions for the potential difference induced in the inner loop and the current \(i\) through that loop.
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