Published by:
CGP EDU Academic Team
Published on: September 12, 2026
The mechanism of the heat produced in a conductor when an electric current flows through it, can be explained on the basis of
Text Solution
Verified by ExpertsThe correct answer is:
C
Step 1: Understand the context of the question. The heat produced in a conductor when an electric current flows through it is known as Joule heating or resistive heating.
Step 2: Identify the relevant theories that explain this phenomenon. The heat generation in a conductor is primarily due to the collisions between the flowing electrons (current) and the fixed lattice ions of the conductor.
Step 3: Evaluate the options:
Step 2: Identify the relevant theories that explain this phenomenon. The heat generation in a conductor is primarily due to the collisions between the flowing electrons (current) and the fixed lattice ions of the conductor.
Step 3: Evaluate the options:
- Viscosity: This refers to a fluid's resistance to flow and does not explain electrical conduction or heating.
- Friction: While friction can generate heat, it is not the mechanism that specifically explains heat production in conductive materials due to electric current.
- Free electron theory: This theory explains that metals have free electrons that can move freely within the lattice structure, leading to electrical conductivity and subsequent heat generation from electron collisions. This is the correct explanation for the heating effect.
- Gauss's theorem: This is a principle in electrostatics related to the distribution of electric fields and does not explain Joule heating.
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