Why do resistors dissipate energy?

Question

What is happening at a molecular level..

also, why does this generate heat?

also, why does the dissipation of energy cause the generation of heat?

Answer 1

By definition, a resistor restricts the electron flow through the circuit. If we can reduce the electron flow, we can also reduce the amount of work being performed over a period of time.

A high level of resistance allows only a small number of electrons to migrate -- materials with extremely high resistance levels are known simply as insulators -- glass, air, rubber, plastic, etc.

If I inserted a piece of glass into my circuit and attached the battery leads to each end, nothing would happen -- high resistance, no electron movement, no load and no heat.

On the other hand, materials with very low resistance are known as conductors; the lower the resistance, the better the conductor -- silver, copper, gold, aluminum.

Placing a thin silver wire across my battery leads might result in the wire beginning to glow or burning completely in two, depending of course on the battery capacity.

Hence, low resistance leads to high electron flow, high load and possibly high heat generation. The physics of heat generation is enmeshed in free electron flow, valence shell electrons and other factors.

Answer 2

THE BASIC FUNCTION OF A RESISTOR IS TO OFFER RESISTANCE TO A CIRCUIT AND ALSO DIVIDE CURRENT ACROSS SEVERAL BRANCHES IN A CIRCUIT
THE REASON RESISTORS BECOME HOT IS DUE TO THE CONTINOUS FLOW OF ELECTRONS IN THE RESISTOR ,THIS PHENOMENON IS KNOWN AS "DISSIPITATION OF HEAT "SO IF YOU NOTICE THAT WHEN THERE IS SHORT CIRCUIT THERE IS ALSO HEAT GENERATED FOR SOME INSTANCE BECAUSE THERE WERE ELECTRONS FLOWING RAPIDLY ACROSS THE CONDUCTOR .

Answer 3

WHAT!!!