A certain heating element is made out of Nichrome wire and used with the standard voltage source of V=120 V. Immediately after the voltage is turned on, the current running through the element is measured at I1=1.28 A and its temperature at T1=25°C. As the heating element warms up and reaches its steady-state (operating) temperature, the current becomes I2=1.229 A. Required:
Find this steady-state temperature T2.

T₁ = 232.5 ºC

Explanation:

For this exercise let's start by finding the value of the resistance for the two currents, using Ohm's law

           V = i R

            R = V / i

i₀ = 1.28 A

            R₀ = 120 / 1.28

            R₀ = 93.75 ohm

i₁ = 1.229 A

             R₁ = 120 / 1.229

             R₁ = 97.64 or

Resistance in a metal is linear with temperature

            ΔR = α R₀ ΔT

where the coefficient of thermal expansion for Nichrome is α=0.0002 C⁻¹

            ΔT =

            ΔT =

            ΔT = 2,075 10² C

            ΔT = T₁-T₀ = 2,075 10²

            T₁ = T₀ + 207.5

             T₁ = 25+ 207.5

             T₁ = 232.5 ºC