Heat Dissipation in Resistors: Does Direction Matter?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the heat dissipation in resistors and whether the direction of current affects this process. The subject area includes concepts from electrical engineering and thermodynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between current direction and heat dissipation, questioning if direction has any relevance given the formula for heat dissipation. Some suggest examples from thermoelectric effects, while others challenge the applicability of these effects to ordinary resistors.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering differing viewpoints on the relevance of current direction. Some guidance has been provided regarding specific effects that may apply, but there is no consensus on the applicability to standard resistors.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that certain effects like the Peltier and Thomson effects may require specific materials, such as semiconductors or junctions of dissimilar metals, which may not apply to typical resistors.

sArGe99
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Does the heat dissipated in a resistor necessarily depend on the direction of current through it? As far as I know the heat dissipated equals square of the magnitude of current thru resistor multiplied the resistance of the resistor. But it seems direction matters.
 
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sArGe99 said:
But it seems direction matters.
Why do you think direction matters? Can you give an example?
 
Squaring the current makes the direction irrelevant. Are you imagining a case where it would matter?
 
Peltier effect, Thomson effect. There's both Peltier heating and Peltier cooling depending on the direction of current.
 
You won't find such effects with an ordinary resistor. You need a semiconductor or a junction of dissimilar metals.
 

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