ARRL Technician Practice Exam

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Prepare for the ARRL Technician Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations. Get ready to become a certified amateur radio operator!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What happens to power lost in a feed line?

It is converted into heat
It is stored as potential energy
It is dissipated as sound
It is absorbed by the cable

The correct answer is: It is converted into heat

The loss of power in a feed line is primarily converted into heat. This phenomenon occurs due to the resistance present in the conductors of the feed line. When an electrical current passes through a resistive material, it encounters opposition to the flow, which results in energy being lost in the form of heat. This is governed by Joule's Law, which states that the power loss (in watts) due to resistance (in ohms) is equal to the current flowing (in amperes) squared, multiplied by the resistance. While other options mention various forms of energy, they are not accurate in describing the primary consequence of power loss in a feed line. Potential energy does not play a role in the context of power dissipation in a feed line, and sound is not produced directly from these electrical losses. Additionally, the notion that power is absorbed by the cable does not correctly capture the outcome; rather, the energy is transformed into heat rather than being stored or captured in another form. Understanding that resistance leads to heat loss enables technicians to make informed decisions about equipment and cable selection to minimize these losses.