Power Notes

Power the rate at which energy is transformed from

one form into another

Power = energy (work) / time

P = w/t
SI Unit = watt (W)
1 watt = 1 joule / second
1 kilowatt (kW) = 103W
1 megawatt (MW) = 106W

When a charge q moves through a potential V the energy transformed is

qV. W= qV
If it takes 1 second for this amount of change to pass through a load
(resistor) then
P= qV/t

Remember q/t = I (current is number of charged moving per

second)
Therefore P= IV

If P= IV
And V = IR (I=V/R
Then P = IV = I2R = V2 / R

Energy = power x time (E = Pt)

So energy VI x time
E= V x I x t or E= VIt

We receive a power bill, nut were not charged for power, were charged
for energy
Usually were charged in kilowatt hours (kWh)
Why?

A cup of tea
1 kW Kettle with a time of 90 seconds to boil
How many joules of energy must I purchase?
E= VIt
VI = P
E= Pt = 1000 x 90 = 90000J

How many joules in a kilowatt hour (kWh)

1J/s = 1W
1J = 1W x s
1 x 1000 x 60 x 60 = 3 600 000 kWh Commented [AU1]: 1 kWh = x1

3.6 megajoules = 1Kwh Commented [AU2]:

1 kilowatt (kW) = 103W

EQUATION = 1KWh = 3.6 x 106Joules Commented [AU3]:

=3 600 000 kWh Seconds Minutes Hours