Author Question: Appliances in the USA are designed to work on 110-120 V, whereas appliances in Europe operate on ... (Read 57 times)

Davideckstein7 · **on:** Jul 27, 2018

Appliances in the USA are designed to work on 110-120 V, whereas appliances in Europe operate on 220-240 V. What would happen if you tried to use a European electric shaver in this country?

A) It would probably work as well as it does in Europe, since it is the power rating, not the voltage rating, that matters.
B) It would probably work as well as it does in Europe, since it is the current rating, not the voltage rating, that matters.
C) It would barely work (or maybe not work at all), since the voltage here is too low to push enough current through the device.
D) It would probably overheat and burn up before very long.
E) This question cannot be answered without knowing the frequency used in Europe and in the USA, since this is the parameter that matters most in any electrical device that operates on alternating current.

Question 2

Discuss what you see viewing a distant street light through a thin curtain (at night).

What will be an ideal response?

mceravolo · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C

Answer to Question 2

One expects to see a cross pattern of light which turns out to be the diffraction pattern of the many crossed threads forming multiple two dimensional openings. Note that where the curtain is folded at an angle the pattern enlarges because the projected opening in the line of sight is less and the diffracted angle larger. Close attention will show a colored pattern since large wavelengths are diffracted greater.