11.

2: Electrical Energy and Power

What do the
power ratings
on electrical
devices
mean?

-they indicate the rate at which

electrical energy is transformed into
another type of energy

How can we
calculate the
electrical
power of a
device?

-use the formula:

-ex. A 40W light bulb uses 40J of

energy per second

P = E
t

11.2: Electrical Energy and Power

Example 1:

A laser pointer used 0.045J of

electrical energy during 15s of
operation. What is the power of the
laser pointer?
G: E = 0.045J; t = 15s
F: P = ?
F: P = E
t
S: P = 0.045J = 0.003W
15s

11.2: Electrical Energy and Power

Example 2:

A 100W light bulb is left on for 3h.

How much electrical energy did it
use? Give the answer in scientific
notation.
G: P = 100W; t = 3h (x3600) = 10800s
F: E = ?
F: P = E changes to E = Pt
t
S: E = 100(10800) = 1080000J
= 1.08 x 106J

11.2: Electrical Energy and Power

What is the
problem with
using this
equation to
find power?

-it is difficult to measure the change in

electrical energy
-it is much easier to measure current
and voltage (chapter 10)
-therefore, we can use the formula:
P = VI
-where P = power measured in W
V = voltage measured in V

I = current measured in A

11.2: Electrical Energy and Power

Equation
summary:

P = E
t

E = Pt

P = VI

I=P V=P
V

t = E
P

We can combine P = VI and P = E

t
to get: VI = E
t

11.2: Electrical Energy and Power

Example 3:

A resistor has a current of 0.28A and a

voltage of 4.5V. If the current flows
for 50s, how much electrical energy
is transformed into heat?
G: I = 0.28A, V = 4.5V, t = 50s
F: E = ?
F: VI = E rearranges to E =VIt
t
S: E = 4.5(0.28)50 = 63J