Changing electric flux caused by a resistor

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between changing electric flux and magnetic fields in the context of resistors, particularly focusing on whether resistors, like light bulbs, contribute to changing electric flux similar to capacitors. The scope includes concepts from electromagnetism and classical physics models.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that a changing electric flux through an open surface can indeed be caused by a resistor, as the resistance varies with temperature and time.
  • Others argue that the magnetic field around a resistor is influenced by the current flowing through it and the time-changing electric field, suggesting a model where a capacitor is in parallel with the resistor.
  • One participant questions whether there is a classical physics model to explain why the resistance of all resistors increases with temperature.
  • A later reply attempts to explain this phenomenon by suggesting that as temperature increases, the average distance an electron travels before changing direction decreases due to increased atomic motion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the contributions of resistors to changing electric flux and the underlying mechanisms of resistance change with temperature. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of these contributions and models.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the assumptions made about the relationship between temperature, resistance, and electron behavior, as well as the modeling of resistors and capacitors. These aspects are not fully explored or agreed upon.

TheLil'Turkey
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I'm learning the basics about electromagnetism, including that a changing electric flux through an open surface causes a magnetic field. Obviously a capacitor causes this, but doesn't a resistor like a light bulb (whose resistance varies with temperature and therefore time) also cause this?
 
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Yes. Part of the magnetic field around the resistor comes from the current that flows through it. Another part comes from the time-changing electric field that spans it. You would model this as a capacitor in parallel with the resistor.
 
That makes sense. Thanks. I assume that the resistance of ALL resistors increases with increasing temperature. Is there a crude, classical physics model to understand why this is so?
 
I'm going to take a stab at answering my own question from post 3. I think that as the temperature goes up, the average distance an electron in a resistor travels before changing direction decreases because the atoms in the resistor are jiggling faster. Is that right?
 

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