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- BEEE - Discussion
Effects of Electric Current - Heating, Magnetic, Chemical Effects
Electric current is used in a wide range of applications, ranging from simple lighting to running complex industrial machinery. When an electric current flows through a conductor, it produces three noticeable effects, which are known as Effects of Electric Current. In this chapter, we will learn about these effects and their practical applications in real-world.
This chapter explains the three main effects of electric current namely, heating effect, magnetic effect, and chemical effect.
Effects of Electric Current
When an electric current flows through a conductor, then depending on the medium or conditions, it produces the following three major effects −
- Heating Effect
- Magnetic Effect
- Chemical Effect
Let's understand each of these three effects of electric current in detail along with their applications.
Heating Effect of Electric Current
When electric current is made to pass through a conductor or wire. Then, due to electrical resistance of the conductor material, some part of electrical energy is converted into heat energy. This phenomenon is known as heating effect of electric current.
The heating effect of electric current can be described using Joule's law of heating, which states that
Heat Generated by Electric Current = Current2 × Resistance × Time
In mathematical form,
$$\mathrm{H = I^2 \times R \times t}$$
Where, I is the current in ampere, R is the electrical resistance in Ohm, and t is time in second.
Characteristics of Heating Effect of Electric Current
Some of the important characteristics of heating effect of electric current are listed below −
- It is useful in designing heating appliances like heaters.
- It causes power loss in machines and power lines.
- It can cause overheating and damage of equipment.
Applications of Heating Effect of Electric Current
Heating effect is used in all electrical appliances that convert electricity into heat such as −
- Electric heater
- Electric iron
- Incandescent lamps
- Protection fuse
- Toasters, etc.
Magnetic Effect of Electric Current
Magnetic effect is another noticeable effect of electric current. When an electric current is made to pass through a conductor, it creates a magnetic field around the conductor. This effect is referred to as magnetic effect of electric current.
Magnetic effect of electric current forms the foundation for all electrical machines, from generators to motors and relays. It is the backbone of all electromechanical energy conversion devices.
The direction of magnetic field produced by current around a conductor is determined by the Right-Hand Thumb Rule.
Applications of Magnetic Effect of Electric Current
Magnetic effect of electric current is used for electromechanical energy conversion through electromagnetic induction. It is widely in the following −
- Electric generators and motors
- Electrical transformers
- Electromagnetic relays
- Electromagnets and electric bells, etc.
Chemical Effect of Electric Current
The third important effect of electric current is the chemical effect. When an electric current is made to flow through a solution (called electrolyte), it causes chemical reactions to occur in the solution that can decompose, deposit, or release gases. This effect is known as chemical effect of electric current.
Chemical effect of electric current is generally observed by the following means −
- Change in color of the solution
- Formation of has bubbles at electrodes
- Deposition of metal at electrodes, etc.
Applications of Chemical Effect of Electric Current
The following are some common applications in which chemical effect of electric current is used −
- Electrolysis of water
- Charging and discharging of battery
- Electroplating
- Electrorefining of copper
- Production of chemicals, etc.
Conclusion
In this chapter, we explained the three key effects of electric current namely, heating effect, magnetic effect, and chemical effect. All these effects are widely used in various real-world applications ranging from heating in homes to refining metals in industries, and making electromagnets.