Heat is generated in conductors primarily due to the interaction between the moving electrons and the atoms of the conductor. When an electric current flows through a conductor, electrons move through the material but do not travel in a straight line. Instead, they collide with the atoms of the conductor. These collisions transfer energy from the electrons to the atoms, causing the atoms to vibrate more vigorously. This increased atomic vibration results in the generation of heat. This phenomenon is known as Joule heating (or the heating effect of electric current). The amount of heat produced depends on three key factors:
- The current flowing through the conductor (more current means more electron collisions).
- The resistance of the conductor (higher resistance means more collisions and thus more heat).
- The duration of time for which the current flows.
Mathematically, the heat produced (H) can be calculated using the formula:
H=I2RtH=I^{2}RtH=I2Rt
where:
- III is the current,
- RRR is the resistance of the conductor,
- ttt is the time duration the current flows.
If the conductor has zero resistance (like a superconductor), no heat is generated regardless of the current since there are no collisions to dissipate energy as heat. But in regular conductors, resistance causes the electrons to bump into atoms, dissipating electrical energy as heat, which raises the temperature of the conductor. In summary, heat is generated in conductors by the electrical energy being converted to thermal energy through the collisions of moving electrons with atoms, causing atomic vibrations that manifest as heat.
