Q46: Residential building codes typically require the use of 12-gauge copper wire (diameter cm) for wir- ing receptacles. Such circuits carry currents as large as A. If a wire of smaller diameter (with a higher gauge number) carried that much current, the wire could rise to a high temperature and cause a fire.
(a) Calculate the rate at which internal energy is produced in m of 12-gauge copper wire carrying A.
(b) What If? Repeat the calculation for a 12-gauge aluminum wire.
(c) Explain whether a 12-gauge aluminum wire would be as safe as a copper wire.
These values are from Table 27.2 in page 814.
ρ Cu(resistivity of copper)=
ρ al(resistivity of almunium)=