Heating and Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts, devices, scientists, and principles of the heating and magnetic effects of electric current.

Joule's law of heating effect

The law, first observed by James Prescott Joule, describing the conversion of electrical energy into heat energy due to resistance when current flows through a metallic wire.

ISI mark

A certification mark from the Indian Standards Institution (under the Bureau of Indian Standards) on electrical appliances ensuring safety and energy efficiency.

Tungsten

A metal whose thin wire offers high resistance and gets heated up quickly to glow, making it ideal for use as the filament in electric bulbs.

Heating element

Wound coils of wire in appliances like electric heaters, immersion rods, toasters, and irons that generate heat due to resistance when electric current flows through them.

Electric fuse

A circuit safety device containing a wire made of a tin and lead alloy with a low melting point, which melts to break the circuit when current exceeds the maximum limit.

Cartridge fuse

A compact safety device containing a fuse wire in a glass tube connected to metallic caps, used to protect sensitive devices like refrigerators, pumps, and dryers.

MCB (miniature circuit breaker)

A safety switch in household circuits that automatically trips down to break the circuit if the current flowing through it exceeds the maximum limit.

Overloading

A situation that occurs when too many electrical appliances draw a large amount of current simultaneously, which can overheat wires and cause a fire.

Hans Christian Oersted

The scientist who first discovered the magnetic effect of electric current.

Magnetic materials

Specific materials attracted by magnets, explicitly including nickel, iron, and cobalt.