What type of heat is produced by tightly wrapping an electric cord around an object?

Resistance heating occurs when an electric current passes through a conductor, generating heat due to the resistance the conductor offers to the flow of electricity. In the scenario described, tightly wrapping an electric cord around an object creates a situation where the electrical current encounters resistance within the cord. This resistance converts electrical energy into thermal energy, causing the cord to heat up and potentially transfer that heat to the object it is wrapped around.

This type of heating is commonly found in electric heaters, toasters, and many other appliances that rely on electrical resistance to generate heat. The heat produced is primarily due to the properties of the material of the cord and the amount of current flowing through it, following Ohm’s Law and Joule's Law, which state that the amount of heat generated in a conductor is proportional to the square of the current passing through it and the resistance of the conductor.

Understanding resistance heating is crucial for safety in fire inspections, as improper use of devices that generate heat through electrical resistance can lead to overheating and potential fire hazards.