Resistance of a wire around the Earth

  • #1
godiswatching_
12
1
Homework Statement:
Homework statement in the image.
Relevant Equations:
$$R=\rho\frac{l}{A}$$
$$l=2\pi r$$
Hey! I had a question about this problem.

I did (1) Using
$$R_{0}=\rho\frac{l}{A}$$

For (2) I assume the question means that the radius increases by a meter.
So I used $$\bigtriangleup L = 2\pi (r_{E}+1) - l$$
and then I used that L to find the new R. Then I said $$\bigtriangleup R = R-R_{0}$$

Does that seem right? This seems too simple to be right.

My final answer was:
$$\bigtriangleup R = 3.4 \cdot 10^{-4} \Omega$$
 

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Answers and Replies

  • #2
BvU
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'Too simple' is not an argument ...
What could possible be wrong ?

##\ ##
 
  • #3
godiswatching_
12
1
'Too simple' is not an argument ...
What could possible be wrong ?

##\ ##
I don’t see anything wrong with my steps. I think they are all logically sound. It’s more so that I’m paranoid and don’t want to lose points on homework for no reason really.
 
  • #4
BvU
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PF isn't in the business of stamp-approving homework. It wouldn't help anyone. You do your calculation, get a result and check it. Twice if you want, three times if you are paranoid :smile:

Have some faith in your work ... :wink:

##\ ##
 
  • #5
vela
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I find it pretty hard to believe that adding a mere 6.28 m of wire is enough to lift it by 1 meter off the ground all the way around the Earth, but it does indeed.
 
  • #6
36,893
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I find it pretty hard to believe that adding a mere 6.28 m of wire is enough to lift it by 1 meter off the ground all the way around the Earth, but it does indeed.
It seemed unbelievable when I first heard this one, but the math bears it out.
##C = 2\pi r \Rightarrow \Delta C = 2\pi \Delta r## -- this is an equality due to the linearity of this function.
If ##\Delta r = 1 \text{ meter}##, then ##\Delta C = 2\pi \cdot 1 \approx 6.28 \text{ meters}##
 

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