Nichrome element is used in household appliances because of the following characteristics
(A) Its melting point is high
(B) Its resistivity is large
(C) It is tensile
(D) It does not oxidize easily by the oxygen of the air when heated
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A), (B), (C) and (D)
Nichrome is the alloy used in heating elements (toasters, irons, heaters). A heating element must reach a high temperature without melting or burning in air, and it must give a large heating effect \( P = I^{2}R \).
(A) Its melting point is high — Correct. The element glows red hot without melting.
(B) Its resistivity is large — Correct. A short length of wire then has a large resistance and gives a large heating effect.
(C) It is tensile — Correct. Here “tensile” means that the alloy is ductile and strong enough to be drawn into fine wire and coiled into an element.
(D) It does not oxidize easily by the oxygen of the air when heated — Correct. A protective oxide layer forms on the surface, so the wire does not burn away.
Note: The question is from beyond the NCERT textbook.