Which of the provided plots can represent the thermal energy generated in a resistor over a given time interval as a function of the electric current?

Step-by-step solution

The thermal energy U generated in a resistor of resistance R over a time interval t due to an electric current I is given by Joule's law of heating: U = I^2 R t For a given resistor and a constant time interval, R and t are constants. Therefore, the thermal energy is directly proportional to the square of the electric current: U I^2 This represents the equation of a parabola that opens upwards and is symmetric about the U -axis. Among the given plots, the solid curve d correctly represents this parabolic relationsh