Two conducting wires of the same material and of equal lengths and equal diameters are first connected in series and then parallel in a circuit across the same potential difference. The ratio of heat produced in series and parallel combinations would be _____.
(a) 1:2
(b) 2:1
(c) 1:4
(d) 4:1

Question

Two conducting wires of the same material and of equal lengths and equal diameters are first connected in series and then parallel in a circuit across the same potential difference. The ratio of heat produced in series and parallel combinations would be _____.
(a) 1:2
(b) 2:1
(c) 1:4
(d) 4:1

Accepted Answer

Solution:
Let Rs and Rp be the equivalent resistance of the wires when connected in series and parallel respectively.
For the same potential difference V, the ratio of the heat produced in the circuit is given by
Hence, the ratio of the heat produced is 1:4.

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