Question

nina is working with electricity and shortens the wires through which the current is flowing. what is nina most likely trying to accomplish? convert electric energy to heat convert electric energy to light increase resistance decrease resistance

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the formula for resistance of a wire, \( R=
ho\frac{L}{A} \), where \( R \) is resistance, \(
ho \) is resistivity, \( L \) is length, and \( A \) is cross - sectional area. When Nina shortens the wire, the length \( L \) of the wire decreases. Since resistance is directly proportional to the length of the wire (assuming resistivity and cross - sectional area remain constant), a decrease in length will lead to a decrease in resistance.

• Option 1: Converting electric energy to heat is related to Joule's law (\( Q = I^{2}Rt \)), but shortening the wire is not mainly for this energy conversion purpose.
• Option 2: Converting electric energy to light is the function of devices like bulbs, and shortening the wire has nothing to do with this energy conversion.
• Option 3: Shortening the wire decreases the length, and as \( R\propto L \), resistance should decrease, not increase.
• Option 4: As explained by the resistance formula, decreasing the length of the wire (by shortening it) will decrease the resistance.

Answer:

D. decrease resistance