Final answer:
The voltage drop across an extension cord can be calculated using Ohm's Law and is dependent on the cord's resistance and the current flowing through it. A larger voltage drop in the cord means less voltage is available for the appliance, which hampers its performance. In parallel circuits, the voltage across parallel components is the same, which is essential to understand for appliance functionality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exploring Voltage Drop and Its Effects on Appliances
When we calculate the voltage drop in an extension cord with a resistance of 0.0600 ohms and a current of 5.00 A flowing through it, the voltage drop is given by Ohm's Law, V = IR, which results in 0.300 V. Similarly, for a cheaper cord with a higher resistance of 0.300 ohms, the voltage drop with the same current flowing would be 1.50 V.
The reason the voltage to the appliance is reduced is that the total voltage from the power source to the appliance is fixed; thus, if there is a substantial voltage drop across the cord, less voltage is available for the appliance itself. This reduction in voltage consequently reduces the appliance's power output, which can impair its proper functioning.
In a circuit diagram, it is false that the voltage is the same at every point in a given wire. This is because voltage drops can occur across components such as resistors, which can result in different voltages at different points in the wire.
If a 5-V drop occurs across a resistor (R1) that is connected in parallel to another resistor (R2), the voltage drop across R2 would also be 5 V, because in a parallel circuit, voltage across all components is the same.