Final answer:
Protecting water pipes from freezing is crucial to prevent them from bursting due to the expansion of ice. This can cause extensive damage and loss of running water. Applying an alternating current via a coil can generate heat through induction to thaw frozen pipes.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is important to protect water pipes in your home from freezing to prevent them from bursting. When water freezes, it expands, and if pipes are unprotected and filled with water, this expansion can cause the pipes to rupture. Such damage can lead to costly repairs and potential flooding within the home, resulting in property damage and the inconvenience of not having running water. Additionally, antifreeze may be necessary for automobile engines and boats to prevent the freezing of coolant, which can also cause damage.
In the case of thawing out a frozen water pipe, wrapping a coil carrying an alternating current around the pipe can generate heat through induction, especially if the pipe is a conductor. This method utilizes the property of inductive heating caused by electromagnetic fields induced by the alternating current, which can help to thaw the ice inside the pipe regardless of whether the pipe is metallic (a conductor) or plastic (a non-conductor), although the process may be less efficient with non-conductive materials.