0.5V across 1.5m tungsten wire w/cross-sect. area 0.6 mm^2 - Find wire current

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the current flowing through a 1.5 meter tungsten wire with a cross-sectional area of 0.6 mm² when a voltage of 0.5 volts is applied across it. The context includes the resistivity of tungsten and the relationships between current, voltage, and resistance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the definitions of current density and resistivity to derive the current. They express concern over a seemingly incorrect result and seek hints to identify any errors in their reasoning.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide feedback on the original poster's approach, noting the need to convert the cross-sectional area from mm² to m², which could significantly affect the calculation. The original poster later indicates they resolved the issue independently.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the importance of unit conversion in calculations, highlighting a common oversight in physics problems involving different measurement systems.

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Homework Statement


0.5 volts is maintained across a 1.5 meter tungsten wire that has a cross-sectional area of 0.6 mm2. What is the current in the wire?


Homework Equations


Resistivity of tungsten: 5.6E-8 ohm meters.

Current Density: [tex]J = \sigma \cdot \frac{V}{l}, J = \frac{I}{A}[/tex]
Definition of resistivity: [tex]\rho = \frac{1}{\sigma}[/tex]

Variable meanings in equations used:
I: current in amps, A: cross-sectional area of wire in m2, [tex]\sigma[/tex]: material conductivity, V: volts, l: length of extruded cross-sectional area (in this case, a wire) in meters, [tex]\rho[/tex]: resistivity in ohm meters

The Attempt at a Solution



Using the relations and data available it seems to make sense to find the current in the wire by relating the known tungsten resistivity to the two definitions of current density in which most variables are known except for the I (current) that I'm after. Doing this yields:

[tex]\frac{I}{A} = \sigma\frac{V}{l}[/tex]
[tex]\sigma = \frac{1}{\rho}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{I}{A} = \frac{1}{\rho} \cdot \frac{V}{l}[/tex]
[tex]I = A\left[\frac{1}{\rho} \cdot \frac{V}{l}\right][/tex]

Then I plug and chug:

[tex]I = 0.6\left[\frac{1}{5.6E-8} \cdot \frac{0.5}{1.5}\right] = 3571428.571[/tex] Amps

However this answer is not valid. Can anyone see something I am doing that is outright wrong? Invalid logic somewhere?

Any hints to get me on the right track would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.
 
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Your answer has the right procedure but the area is in mm^2 you need to convert it to m^2. So you are off by a factor of 10^6 meaning 3.57 amps.
Below is an easier way to go about the problem and attain the same answer.

resistance = (resistivity*length)/cross sectional area in m^2

Current = voltage/ resistance
 
Nevermind, lol, solved my own problem. Found out that I didn't convert millimeters squared to meters squared. Got it right now :)
 
Thanks for the reply fball558 :) It's nice to get other views while your pourin over pages and pages of physics :)
 

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