Question

The heating element of an electric heater should be made with a material, which should have:
(A) high specific resistance and high melting point
(B) high specific resistance and low melting point
(C) low specific resistance and low melting point
(D) low specific resistance and high melting point

Answer 1

Hint: Heating element of an electric heater has to withstand very high temperatures, so it has to be chosen based on its application.

Complete step by step solution:
Specific resistance is the property of a conducting material to provide resistance per unit length and cross-sectional area to the flow of current when a voltage is applied on it. As a result of which electrical energy is converted into heat energy.

The heating element of an electric heater converts electrical energy into heat energy, therefore it should possess high specific resistance.

The heating element of an electric heater is subjected to very high temperature ranges, so it must have the ability to withstand higher temperature ranges. Therefore, the heating element of an electric heater should have a high melting point.

Therefore, the option (A) that is high specific resistance and high melting point is correct.

Note: Make sure to look for both the properties that are specific resistance and melting point, otherwise the solution would become incorrect.