Will current flow more easily through a thick wire or a thin wire of the same material, when connected to the same source? Why?
Will current flow more easily through a thick wire or a thin wire of the same material when connected to the same source? Give reason for your answer.
Solution 1
The current will flow more easily through thick wire. It is because the resistance of a
conductor is inversely proportional to its area of cross – section. If thicker the wire, less is resistance and hence more easily the current flows.
Solution 2
Resistance (R) is inversely proportional to the area of cross-section (A) of the
wire. So, thicker the wire, lower is the resistance of the wire and vice-versa.
Therefore, current can flow more easily through a thick wire than a thin wire.
R = ρ.L/A
R ∝1/A
Solution 3
The resistance of a conductor is inversely proportional to its area of cross-section, i.e. R α 1 / A. So as the conductor is a thick wire, its resistance decreases and current will flow easily through it, in comparison with a thin wire.
