Question

Two space heaters in your living room are operated at 120 V. Heater 1 has twice the resistance of heater 2. Which one will give off more heat

Answer 1

Heater 2 will give off more heat.

Step-by-step explanation:

The heat given off by the heaters can be found out by the following formula:

`Q = VIt`

but, from Ohm's Law:

`V = IR\\\\I = (V)/(R)`

Therefore,

`Q = (V^2t)/(R)`

where,

Q = heat given off by the heater

V = Voltage

t = time

R = Resistance

It is clear from the equation that for a constant voltage and time, the heat given off by the heater is inversely proportional to the resistance of the heater.

Heater 2 will give off more heat.

Therefore, the heater with lower resistance will give off more heat.