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Energy and Power Notes

Electrical energy is the product of power and time, and is measured in joules. Power is the rate at which energy is consumed or produced in a circuit, and is measured in watts. Power can be calculated using the equations P=W/t, P=VI, P=V^2/R, or P=I^2R, where P is power, W is work, t is time, V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance. Examples show how to calculate power given values for voltage, current, resistance, work, and time.

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170 views3 pages

Energy and Power Notes

Electrical energy is the product of power and time, and is measured in joules. Power is the rate at which energy is consumed or produced in a circuit, and is measured in watts. Power can be calculated using the equations P=W/t, P=VI, P=V^2/R, or P=I^2R, where P is power, W is work, t is time, V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance. Examples show how to calculate power given values for voltage, current, resistance, work, and time.

Uploaded by

Nathan Chen
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Resource and Technology

Energy and Power

Electrical Energy in Circuits

Electrical Energy is the capacity to do work, and the unit of work or energy is the joule (J).

Electrical energy is the product of power multiplied by the length of time it was consumed. If we

know how much power, in watts is being consumed in a circuit and the time, in seconds for

which it is used, we can find the total energy used in watt-seconds. In other words,

Energy = power x time (E = P x t)

Electrical power is related to energy and the unit given for electrical energy is the watt-seconds

or joules.

For example, if 50 J of energy are used in 2 s, the power is 50 J/2 s = 25 W. By definition, one
watt (W) is the amount of power when one joule of energy is used in one second.

Electrical Power in Circuits

Electrical Power, (P) in a circuit is the rate at which energy is absorbed or produced within a
circuit. It is the work/time ratio. Mathematically, it is computed using the following equation.
Power = Work / time
or

P=W/t
A source of energy such as a voltage will produce or deliver power while the connected load

absorbs it. Light bulbs and heaters for example, absorb electrical power and convert it into either

heat, or light, or both. The higher their value or rating in watts the more electrical power they are

likely to consume.
The quantity symbol for power is P and the unit of measurement is the Watt (W).

By using Ohm’s law and substituting for the values of V, I and R the formula for electrical

power can be found as:

To Calculate Power (P)

1. [ P = V x I ] P (watts) = V (volts) x I (amps)


2. [ P = V2 ÷ R ] P (watts) = V2 (volts) ÷ R (Ω)
3. [ P = I2 x R ] P (watts) = I2 (amps) x R (Ω)
Where,

Voltage applied across the two ends =V, Current flowing in the circuit = I and Resistance =

R.

Power Examples
1. An electric machine makes use of 300 J of energy to do work in 10s. How much power
does it use?
Answer:
Work done = W = 300 J,
Time taken t = 10 s.

2. If the battery of a cell phone operates at 12.0 V, and it has to deliver a current of 0.9 A
while playing music, what is the power required?
Answer:
The power required from the battery can be found using the electric power formula:
P = VI
P = (12.0 V)(0.9 A)
P = 10.8 W
The power required from the battery of the phone is 10.8 W.

3. A resistor with a 24.0 V potential difference across it is radiating heat. The thermal
energy is being generated at a rate of 16.0 W. What is the resistance value?
Answer:
The resistance value can be found by rearranging one of the forms of the electric power formula.
The form that is applicable relates power, voltage, and resistance:

R=36.0 Ω
The resistance value is 36.0 Ω.

Summary: Energy is the ability to do work, and power is the rate at which energy is used.

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