Question

What is the cause of heating effect of electric current?

Answer 1

1. In a conductor, free electrons are present.
2. When a potential difference is applied across the ends of a conductor, a large number of free electrons in the conductor moves towards the positive end. This flow of electrons in the conductor is an electric current.
3. Due to their motion, they acquire kinetic energy. These moving electrons collide with the ions of the conductor and transfer their kinetic energy, which set ions into vibration.
4. As an outcome, the vibration energy of ions increases, and consequently, the temperature of the conductor rises. This is known as the heating effect of electric current.