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Question: Nichrome wire is commonly used in heating elements because of its \(\left( a \right)\) Low specif...

Nichrome wire is commonly used in heating elements because of its
(a)\left( a \right) Low specific resistance
(b)\left( b \right) Low melting point
(c)\left( c \right) High specific resistance
(d)\left( d \right) High conductivity

Explanation

Solution

- Hint: In this question use the concept that Nichrome is an alloy which is composed of nickel and chromium. Alloys are formed due to different composition of elements and thus they possess a very high resistivity and a very high melting point. This will help approaching the problem.

Complete step-by-step answer:
As we all know that the heating elements require a high melting point otherwise the element used in the heating element will oxidize and the equipment does not work.
For example: Room heater, geysers etc.
All these elements required high melting point.
As we all know elements that have high resistivity possess high melting points or vice-versa.
So, alloys which possess these properties cannot easily oxidized at higher temperatures.
So one of the best examples of alloy is Nichrome, which is the combination of nickel and chromium. Nichrome is harder than the pure metals and the layers of atoms present in the Nichrome cannot easily slide over each other which makes the Nichrome stronger.
So, it possesses high melting point and high resistivity, i.e. high specific resistance.
Advantages of alloys:
(i)\left( i \right) Tensile strength is increased.
(ii)\left( {ii} \right) Corrosion resistance is also increased.
(iii)\left( {iii} \right) Hardness of the metal is improved.
So the Nichrome wire is commonly used in heating elements because of its high specific resistance.
So this is the required answer.
Hence option (C) is the correct answer.

Note: In Nichrome the nickel is generally in the percentage of 80% and chromium is in 20% composition. Nichrome like most of the alloy is colored and is silver-grey. The real life application of Nichrome includes that in toasters coils, hair dryers, Incandescent bulbs, and generally in substances where a coil needs to operate at a very high temperature.