Monday, September 28, 2015

09/28 Manga Electricity Questions

What is the relationship between heat and electricity. Please provide a metaphor.

Good heat conductors are usually good electrical conductors. when you pass a current through a conductor, the electrons bump into the atoms as they move through it. These vibrations increase, causing the temperature of the conductor to rise, thus the emission of heat. 



Why is it warm near an incandescent light bulb?

Due to thermal emission; as the temperature of a substance increases, light and heat are emitted out of a it as electromagnetic waves, causing the substance to warm up.

What is a superconductor? What are they used for in real life? You may have to look this up. How could one make a metal superconductor?


  1. A material that can produce electricity/ transport electrons from one atom to another, with little/ no resistance due to sufficiently low temperatures. 
  2. In the military, US NAVY utilizes SQUID (superconducting QUantum Interference Device); as the most sensitive detector in science, the SQUID consists of a superconducting loop, used to measure magnetic fields, to detect mines and submarines. 
  3. Many metals are natural superconductors when they become cold enough, though most need to be close to absolute zero. 



What is Ampere's Law?

When current flows in an electric wire, a magnetic field with a circular pattern is generated around that wire. 

If a current of the same size flows in the same direction in two electric wires placed side by side, what happens?

The magnetic fields generated in each wire are combined to generate a magnetic field of twice the current around both conductors. 

What happens if current of the same size flows in opposite directions in two electric wires placed side by side?

A force of repulsion is generated between the wires. In this case. the magnetic fields around the wires negate each other and become smatter. 

Please read about Flemings Left and Right Hand Rule. Think about this Rule with respect to the motors we have made this week.

The left hand rule is used to remember the relationship in the directions of magnetic field, the conductor and the current to understand the direction a motor moves. Extend the thumb, index and middle finger of your left hand so they are perpendicular to each other, thus representing the direction of how the conductor, magnetic field, and current move. The right hand rule determines the direction of an electromagnetic force created by an electric generator that demonstrates the direction of the conductor, magnetic field, and current flow based on the thumb, index and middle finger's perpendicular alignment to each other. 

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