I am new here, this is more of a conceptual confirmation than mathemab

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between electrical power and heat generation in a resistive wire. When a wire resists electrical current, it converts electrical energy into heat energy, but the total heating power is not necessarily equal to the electrical power input due to energy retained by the electrons. Specifically, while the electrical power is stated as 20 watts, the heating power may differ because some energy is used to maintain electron movement. The heat produced results from electrons losing potential energy rather than kinetic energy, as their speed remains constant in a uniform wire.

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When a wire resists an electrical current it produces heat energy. But how efficient is this transfer? If the electrical Power is 20watts is the heating power 20watts? (ignoring all other inefficiencies, just the conversion from Electrical to Heat)

I'm thinking since a circuit requires electrons to complete the circuit in order to have a current, the Powers won't be equal because some energy will remain within the electrons to keep them in movement.

However I am not certain of this and growing less and less confident of this idea. Could someone explain this in a way I can understand?
 
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The heat comes from the electrons losing potential energy, not kinetic energy. The electrons move at the same (very slow) speed before and afterwards, if the wire maintains the same diameter and resistivity.
 

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