Heating in Circuits (Edexcel GCSE Physics)

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The Heating Effect of Current

  • When charge passes through a component, such as a resistor, some of the energy is transferred from the electrons to the component by heating, therefore increasing its temperature
    • The energy will dissipate (spread out) into the environment via thermal conduction, convection and radiation

  • This is used to an advantage to by devices like electric heaters

Energy Transfers in Appliances | OCR Gateway GCSE Physics: Combined Science  Revision Notes 2018

The heating effect of current can be used for many applications such as electric heaters

  • However, wasted thermal energy makes a device less efficient and if too much current flows through a component, the heating effect can be very dangerous
    • This can burn someone if they touch it or cause a fire

Dissipation of Thermal Energy

  • When an electrical current does work against electrical resistance:
    • Electrical energy is dissipated as thermal energy in the surroundings
    • The heat that is produced will dissipate via thermal conduction, convection and radiation

  • The amount of heat produced depends on two factors:
    • Current: The greater the current, the more heat that is produced
    • Resistance: The higher the resistance, the more heat that is produced (for a given current)

  • Note that reducing the resistance can cause the current to increase
    • This could actually increase the amount of heat produced

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.