Originally Posted by
fisher
Riddler, we are talking about two different things here. For a wire, bigger wire can handle more current without heating.
But for cells, as a cell heats, it's current increases, which tells me that it's resistance decreased. Think of water flowing through a pipe with a valve. Open the valve wide open, maximum current (flow) due to low restriction (resistance) in the pipe. Close the valve halfway, reduced current due to higher resistance to water flow through the valve.
A bigger wire is a bigger pipe. More current can flow. That is why bigger wire can handle more current.
Resistance does not equal heat. Current equals heat in that more current (in a cell or in a wire) creates more heat. More resistance decreases current, reducing heat.
Clear as mud.
BTW, Im a college electronics instructor. I have splained this before (or at least tried to) on numerous occasions.