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Small aircraft often have 24 V electrical systems rather than the 12 V systems in automobiles, even though the electrical power requirements are roughly the same in both applications. The explanation given by aircraft designers is that a 24 V system weighs less than a 12 V system because thinner wires can be used. Explain why this is so.

Short Answer

Expert verified

A 24 V system weighs less than a 12 V system because thinner wires can be used since the power consumption is the same so for the higher voltage, a lower current can be used and the total weight of the aircraft can be reduced.

Step by step solution

01

Power consumption of an electric circuit

Power (P)in an electric circuit is exactly equal to current (I)multiplied by voltage (V).

02

Compare a 24 V electrical system with a 12 V electrical system

The electrical power requirements of aircraft and automobiles are roughly the same.

Power consumption is

P=VI

Therefore, a 24 V system weighs less than a 12 V system because thinner wires can be used since the power consumption is the same so for the higher voltage, a lower current can be used and the total weight of the aircraft can be reduced.

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