Consider a current flowing through a resistor. Let K₁ and K₂ denote the average kinetic energies of the conduction electrons and the metal ions, respectively. Which of the following is true?

Step-by-step solution

When a current flows through a resistor, the applied electric field continuously accelerates the conduction electrons, thereby increasing their kinetic energy. These energetic electrons undergo frequent collisions with the metal ions in the lattice, transferring a portion of their kinetic energy to the ions. This energy transfer is responsible for the Joule heating of the resistor. For a continuous net transfer of energy from the conduction electrons to the metal ions, the average kinetic energy of the conduction e