Multiple choice

Electric current passing through a metallic wire generates heat because of

  1. collisions of conduction electrons with each other

  2. collisions of the atoms of the metal with each other

  3. the energy released in the ionisation of the atoms of the metal

  4. collisions of the conduction electrons with the atoms of the metallic wire
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D Correct answer
Explanation

Electric current generates heat in metallic wires primarily due to collisions between conduction electrons (the charge carriers) and the metal atoms in the wire lattice. As electrons drift through the wire under electric potential, they collide with atoms, transferring kinetic energy to them. This increased atomic vibration manifests as heat - this is Joule heating. Electron-electron collisions don't significantly contribute to heating, and ionization doesn't occur in normal conduction.

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