If a new material is found that is a superconductor at all temperatures, what parts of some common electric devices would definitely not be made out of it? Explain.

Understanding electrical resistance is crucial when discussing how superconductors could impact common electric devices. Electrical resistance is like a roadblock that slows down the flow of traffic. In electrical terms, resistance hinders the flow of electric current. This slow-down isn't always a bad thing. In fact, it's essential for devices that need to manage the amount of electricity they use.

Imagine a garden hose that lets water through without any restraint; this is analogous to a superconductor. Now, if you wanted to spray water gently on your plants, you'd need to adjust the nozzle to restrict the flow, adding 'resistance' to control the water stream. Similarly, in electronic circuits, resistors are the 'nozzles' that control the flow of electric current. The functionality of resistors dictates that using a superconductor, which has no resistance, would render the ability to control current impossible, potentially leading to damage or malfunctions in electronic devices.

Electronic circuit components are the building blocks of electronic devices, each playing a specific role in its operation. Among these components are capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors. They work together by manipulating the electrical current in various ways – storing it, transforming it, directing it, or amplifying it.

For instance, capacitors store electricity and release it when needed, like a mini battery. Inductors, on the other hand, resist changes in current because of their magnetic fields. These components function based on their inherent electrical properties, which would be fundamentally altered if made from superconductors. Superconducting components could disrupt the delicate balance of electronic circuits, leading to a need for new circuit design principles that can incorporate their zero resistance while maintaining device functionality.

Imagine if you could plug any of your devices into any outlet in the world, without worrying about frying your electronics or getting a weak charge – transformers make this possible. They are akin to adaptors that allow devices to safely accept various voltage levels.

Inside these transformers are coils wrapped around an iron core, which relies on the principles of electromagnetic induction; changing magnetic fields induce current in these coils, thus transferring energy through different circuits and adjusting voltage levels. Superconductors behave differently in magnetic fields; they expel them, almost like a magnet repelling another with the same pole. If transformers were made with superconductors, they wouldn't be able to maintain the magnetic field needed to induce current in another coil, basically making them useless in this application. While superconductors are efficient, they'd ironically thwart the very principle transformers rely on to function.

Heating elements are warm-hearted siblings in the electric device family, wrapping you in warmth on a cold day. These elements convert electric current into heat, used in everyday appliances like toasters, hairdryers, and ovens. The resistance within these materials ensures that as the electric current passes through, it doesn’t just travel but also works hard, generating thermal energy in the process.

Now, place superconductors in this scenario – it's like trying to start a fire in a rainstorm; nothing happens. Since superconductors have zero resistance, they can't provide the conversion of electrical energy into heat that is the cornerstone of heating elements' functionality. This highlights a paradox where superconductors, despite their extraordinary capabilities, fall short in applications where resistance, generally seen as an energy waster, is actually desired for the production of heat.