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Electric energy and power for AQA A-level Physics






This page covers the following topics:
1. Power, voltage and current
2. Power, current and resistance
3. Energy, power and time
The relationship between power, voltage and current is given by: Power = Voltage ร Current.

Ohm's Law can be used with the relationship of power, voltage and current to come up with a different relationship betweeen power, current and resistance, given by P = IยฒR.

The energy transferred to an appliance can be related its power rating and amount of time for which it is switched on through the following formula: Power = Energy transferred/time.

1
A light bulb has a power rating of 100 W with a potential difference of 240 V across it. Calculate the current flowing through it.
P = IV
I = P รท V
I = 100 รท 240 = 0.42 A (2 d. p.)
0.42 A

2
A vacuum has a power rating of 1500 W. Given that there is a current of 12 A flowing through it, calculate the resistance flowing through it.
Using P = IยฒR, 1500 W = (12 A)ยฒR, therefore R = 10.4 ฮฉ (to 3 significant figures).
3
Given that the current through a laptop is 0.3 A and a resistance of 500 ฮฉ, calculate the power rating of the laptop.
Using P = IยฒR, Power = (0.3 A)ยฒ(500 ฮฉ) = 45 W.
4
The power rating of a kettle is 2.5 kW. Calculate the amount of energy in Joules transferred to the kettle in 2 minutes.
2.5 kW = 2500 W.
Using P = E/t, 2500 W = E/(2 ร 60 s), so E = 300000 J.
5
An electric motor is used in a lift. Given that the power rating of the lift is 6500 W and the lift is carried up in 50 s, calculate the energy transferred in the motor.
Using P = E/t, 6500 W = E/50 s, so E= 6500 W ร 50 s = 325000 J.
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