Resistance and Heat: The Truth about Wire Resistance in Circuits

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    Heat Resistance
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between wire temperature and resistance in electrical circuits, exploring whether increased temperature leads to greater resistance. The scope includes theoretical considerations and material-specific behaviors.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the truth of the statement that "the hotter the wire, the greater the resistance" in relation to circuits.
  • Another participant agrees that for most materials, this statement is true.
  • A third participant elaborates that while this is generally true for metals, it may not apply to semiconductors or insulators, which are not typically used as conductors in circuits.
  • A later reply introduces the idea that the heating power varies as I-squared R, suggesting that increased temperature could lead to greater current rather than resistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the relationship between temperature and resistance holds for most materials, particularly metals, but there is disagreement regarding the applicability to semiconductors and insulators. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of heating power on current versus resistance.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the conditions under which different materials behave differently, and there are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions of conductors, semiconductors, and insulators in this context.

jsmith613
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is this statement true:
the hotter the wire the greater the resistance (when relating to circuits)
 
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For most materials yes.
 
For most materials yes.
It would e.g. be correct for metals; but not neccesarily for a semiconductor or an insulator.
Although you wouldn't normally use these as conductors in a circuit.
 
Note that the heating power varies as I-squared R, so I would first say "the hotter the wire, the greater the current".
Bob S
 

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