1. The reason why nichrome wire is used in a heater is due to the properties of nichrome which makes it a material of choice for heating application including;

i) The cost of manufacture of nichrome is low

ii) Nichrome has both high mechanical and creep strength, and therefore is suitable for installation and use in a wide setting

iii) Nichrome has a high resistance to electron flow, making it a good electrical heating element

iv) Nichrome has a high resistance to oxidation, such that it can be reused several times as a heater

v) The high ductility of nichrome allows it to be stretched and drawn around different vessels with contents to which heat is to be supplied

2. Copper wire is not used in heaters because according to Joule's law, the heat produced from the flow of electric current, 'I', through a material having a resistance, 'R', for a time, 't', is proportional to I²·R·t, and copper has a very low resistance, 'R', to the flow of electric current, and therefore, will not produce sufficient heat required at a given current level

Explanation:

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3 years ago