Final answer:
The voltage across the energy source for a wire with a resistance of 8.0 Ω carrying a 15 A current is calculated using Ohm's Law (V = IR), resulting in 120 volts.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the voltage across the energy source for a wire with a resistance of 8.0 Ω carrying a maximum current of 15 A, you can use Ohm's Law, which states V = IR. Here, V represents the voltage, I is the current, and R is the resistance.
In this case, we have I = 15 A (the maximum current) and R = 8.0 Ω (the resistance of the wire). Thus, the calculation would be V = 15 A × 8.0 Ω, resulting in a voltage (V) of 120 volts.
This is consistent with how a typical household circuit works, often having a voltage of around 120 V in the United States, which allows for a 15 A current to flow through an 8 Ω resistance without exceeding the maximum current rating.