Question

A Nichrome wire is used as a heating element in a toaster. From the moment the toaster is first turned on to the moment the wire reaches it maximum temperature, the current in the wire drops by 20% from its initial value. What is the temperature change in the wire? The temperature coefficient for Nichrome is α = 0.0004 (°C)-1.

Answer 1

Temperature change in the wire is 625°C

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the initial current in the wire be I₀

Thus,

the final current in the wire will be, I = (1 - 0.20) × I₀ = 0.80I₀

Given α = 0.0004 1/°C

Now,

Resistance = (potential difference (E))/current (I)

also

R = R₀ [1 + αΔT]

Where ΔT is the increase in temperature , thus

E/I = E/I₀ [1 + α × ΔT)

on substituting the values in the above equation, we get

1/(0.80I₀) = 1/(I₀) × [1 + 0.0004 × ΔT]

or

1/(0.80) = [1 + 0.0004 × ΔT)]

or

ΔT = 625°C