Resistors Intro to ECSE Analysis K. A. Connor Mobile Studio Project Center for Mobile Hands-On STEM SMART LIGHTING Engineering Research Center ECSE Department Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Intro to ECSE Analysis
What is a Resistor? Converts electrical energy to heat. Obeys Ohm’s Law
Examples Incandescent lightbulb Toaster Hair Dryer Electric Space Heater Hair Curler Electric Stove Burner Heating Element in an Oven Photocell Electric Motor Coil Damp Soil, Wood, etc. Salt Water Electrical Components Human Body Fuse 22 September 201822 September 2018
Conductor How Does Copper Behave? 22 September 201822 September 2018
Copper Resistivity is 1.7x10-8 Ω/m Length is 1m, Diameter is 2mm (12 AWG) R = 5.4mΩ I = 20A (usual limit for household circuit) Electron density n = 8.46 x 1028 m-3 J (current density) = Current/Area = 2.5x107 A/m2 J = nevd & e = 1.6 x 10-19 Coulombs vd ≈ 2mm/s Snails and slugs travel at speeds that vary from slow (0.013 m/s) to very slow (0.0028 m/s). 22 September 201822 September 2018
How Fast is That? vd ≈ 2mm/s About 7 meters per hour For the very small currents we will typically use (1 – 20mA), speeds are even smaller! Prov. If you work slowly but constantly, you will succeed better than if you work fast for a short while and do not continue. (Associated with Aesop's fable of "The Tortoise and the Hare.") It also helps if there are 1029 of you per cubic meter working together. 22 September 201822 September 2018