If the resistance of a wire increases, what happens to the temperature of the wire?

When the resistance of a wire increases, the temperature of the wire typically increases as well due to the nature of electrical resistance. As current flows through the wire, the electrical energy is converted into heat energy because of the resistance. This phenomenon is described by Joule's law, which states that the power (or heat) generated in the wire is proportional to the square of the current multiplied by the resistance (P = I²R).

When resistance increases, assuming the current remains constant or even if it increases slightly, the wire will generate more heat due to the increased opposition to the flow of current. This increase in thermal energy leads to a rise in temperature. If the wire’s resistance is significantly high, it can lead to overheating, which can be a safety concern in electrical systems.

Thus, an increase in resistance directly correlates with an increase in temperature in a conductive material due to the energy conversion taking place as electric current passes through it.