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As the wattage of a 120V heating element is reduced, what happens to its amperage draw?
Increases
Decreases
Remains unchanged
Fluctuates
The correct answer is: Decreases
When the wattage of a heating element operating at 120V is reduced, the amperage draw decreases. This relationship is defined by the formula for electrical power, which states that power (in watts) equals voltage (in volts) multiplied by current (in amperes). Therefore, when the voltage is held constant and the wattage decreases, the only way to maintain the equation is for the current (amperage) to also decrease. For example, if a heating element is designed to operate at a certain wattage, a lower wattage setting indicates that less electrical energy is being converted to heat. Consequently, since power is dependent on both voltage and current, a decrease in power will lead to a reduction in current. This principle is a foundation in electrical theory and is essential for understanding how devices function in an electrical circuit.