Electrical Power
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Electrical power is the rate of electrical energy transfer in an component.
About Electrical Power
- The SI Units of electrical power are Watts.
- Electrical power is the work done by an electrical current per unit time.
Equations
Power, Work Done and Time
NB: You must remember this equation.
Power = (Electrical Work Done)/(time)
\(P=\frac{W}{t}\)
Where\[P\] = Electrical Power.
\(W\) = Electrical Energy Transferred or Work Done by an electrical current.
\(t\) = The time over which energy is transferred.
Power, Current and Potential Difference
NB: You must remember this equation.
Power = (Current) x (Potential Difference)
\(P=IV\)
Where\[P\] = Electrical Power.
\(I\) = Electrical Current through a component.
\(V\) = Potential Difference across the component.
Power, Current and Resistance
NB: You must remember this equation.
Power = (Current)2 x (Resistance)
\(P=I^2R\)
Where\[P\] = Electrical Power.
\(I\) = Electrical Current through a component.
\(R\) = The resistance of the component.
Power Potential Difference and Resistance
NB: You must remember this equation.
Power = (Current) x (Potential Difference)
\(P=\frac{V^2}{R}\)
Where\[P\] = Electrical Power.
\(V\) = Potential Difference across the component.
\(R\) = The resistance of the component.
Example Calculations
A light bulb is supplied a current of 625mA. The potential difference across the terminals on the light bulb is 96 volts. Calculate the power of the bulb correct to two significant figures. | A kettle is plugged into the mains supply which operates at 230V. It receives a current of 9.2Amps Calculate the power of the kettle correct to two significant figures. |
1. State the known quantities in SI Units
I = 625mA = 0.625A V = 96V |
1. State the known quantities in SI Units
I = 9.2A V = 230V |
2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve.
\(P = IV\) \(P = I \times V\) \(P = 0.625 \times 96\) \(P = 60W\) |
2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve.
\(P = IV\) \(P = I \times V\) \(P = 9.2 \times 230\) \(P = 2116W\) \(P \approx 2100W\) |