The table shows the diameters of four different types of electrical wire. If the resistance of the four wires is ranked from highest to lowest, how does the resistance of a wire used to power clothes dryers rank?

\begin{tabular}{|l|l|}
\hline
Wire diameter (mm) & Use \\
\hline
4.1154 & Stove tops \\
\hline
2.5882 & Clothes dryers \\
\hline
1.6277 & Light fixtures \\
\hline
1.0237 & Lamp cords \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

A. Third
B. Fourth
C. First
D. Second



Answer :

To find the rank of the resistance for the wire used to power clothes dryers, follow these steps:

1. Understand the Relationship Between Diameter and Resistance: The resistance of a wire is inversely proportional to its diameter. This means that a wire with a larger diameter will have less resistance, while a wire with a smaller diameter will have more resistance.

2. List the Diameters: We have the diameters of four different wires as follows:
- Stove tops: 4.1154 mm
- Clothes dryers: 2.5882 mm
- Light fixtures: 1.6277 mm
- Lamp cords: 1.0237 mm

3. Identify the Resistances: Since resistance is inversely proportional to the diameter, we should order these diameters from smallest to largest to rank their resistances from highest to lowest.
- Smallest diameter (highest resistance): 1.0237 mm (Lamp cords)
- Second smallest: 1.6277 mm (Light fixtures)
- Third smallest: 2.5882 mm (Clothes dryers)
- Largest diameter (lowest resistance): 4.1154 mm (Stove tops)

4. Rank the Resistances: Based on the above ordering:
- 1st highest resistance: Lamp cords
- 2nd highest resistance: Light fixtures
- 3rd highest resistance: Clothes dryers
- 4th highest resistance: Stove tops

5. Find the Rank for Clothes Dryers: From our ordered list, the resistance of the wire used for clothes dryers is ranked third highest.

Therefore, the correct answer is A. Third.