1 2.

0 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

2.4 DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND
ELECTRICAL POWER
ENABLING OBJECTIVES:

1. Describe Electrical Power and electrical energy

1.1. Define and state the formula and units of electrical energy
1.2. Solve simple problem related to the electrical power and energy
1.3. Solve simple problems relating to power and kilowatt-hours

2. Discuss the danger of electricity

2.1. State the electrical fault in appliances or circuit
2.2. Identify the three possible causes of danger of electricity
2.3. Describe fuse and its functions

3. Solve simple problem involving the fuse values when the power rating and voltage of
appliance is given

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2 2.0 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2.4 DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND
ELECTRICAL POWER

1. Describe Electrical Power and electrical energy

1.1. Define and state the formula and units of electrical energy

ELECTRICAL POWER ELECTRICAL ENERGY OTHER FORMULA

Definition The rate of which the Energy carried by the E = QV
electrical energy is moving electrical Q = It
transferred by an charges (e.g.
E = VIt
electrical circuit. electrons).
V
I= V = IR
Formula E E = QV R
P=
V = IR t E – Electrical Energy,
Q = It P – Electrical Power,
Joules (J). V 2t
watt (W). E= E = I 2 Rt
Q – Electrical Charges, R
E – Electrical Energy,
Coulomb, (C). E
Joules , J.
P=
V – Potential t
t – Time, seconds (s). E = VIt
Difference, volts (V).
S. I. Unit watt (W) or Joules (J) VIt
P=
Joules per second (J/s) t

P = IV
V
I= V = IR
R

V2
P= P = I 2R
R

1.2. Solve simple problem related to the electrical power and energy

Example
1. An electric iron is labelled ‘240 V, 1 kW’. Under normal working conditions, find
a) the resistance, R, of the heating element in the iron;

!!
𝑃 = "

#$%!
1000 = "

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3 2.0 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2.4 DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND
ELECTRICAL POWER
#$%!
𝑅 = &%%%

𝑅 = 57.6Ω

b) the current, I, that will flow through the element;

𝑃 = 𝐼𝑉
&%%%
𝐼 = #$%

𝐼 = 4.17𝐴

c) the amount of thermal energy, E, that will be produced in 5 minutes.

𝐸 = 𝑃 × 𝑡
𝐸 = 1000 × 300
𝐸 = 300 000 𝐽

2. Calculate the current, I, drawn by a 800 W vacuum cleaner when it is connected to a

240 V power supply. Suggest a suitable rating for the fuse to be used to prevent this
vacuum cleaner from overheating.

3. An electrical iron is rated 240V, 2000 W.

a) What is the resistance of its heating element?
b) Calculate the current when a 240 V supply is connected to the electrical iron.

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4 2.0 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2.4 DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND
ELECTRICAL POWER
1.3. Solve simple problems relating to power and kilowatt-hours

POWER RATING and ENERGY CONSUMPTION

þ An electricity meter is a device used to measure electricity consumption
þ Electricity usage is based on the number of kilowatt-hour(kWh)
þ 1 kilowatt-hour is the energy usage of an electrical device at a rate of 1000 W per
hour
þ Need to CONVERT: if Watt into kilowatt and minutes/seconds into Hour
þ kWh = Power(kilowatt) x Time (Hour)

Example

1. A 75 W light bulb used for 6 hours

Energy used by bulb, convert W into kWh

= (75/1000) x (6)
= 0.45kWh

2. If electricity tariff is $0.20 per kWh. Calculate the cost of using a 2000 W air-
conditioner for 3.5 hours

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5 2.0 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2.4 DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND
ELECTRICAL POWER
2. Discuss the danger of electricity
2.1. State the electrical fault in appliances or circuit

With our modern reliance on electricity, there are potential electrical safety hazards in any
home, office, or factory. Here are few examples of electrical fault:

i. Damaged insulation
ii. Overheating cables
iii. Wet / damp conditions

2.2. Identify the three possible causes of danger of electricity

Damaged Insulation Overheating Cables Wet/Damp Condition

• All wires have LIVE wire and •
neutral wire to complete
circuit
• LIVE wire carries very high •
Voltage
• It can cause electric shocks •
leading to serious injury and
even death
To large current flow in the •
conducting wire will result in •
short circuit or overloading
LIVE wire and to touch neutral
wire and generate huge current
It can melt the insulation and •
start a fire!
Water can conduct electricity
When LIVE wire is exposed and
water is around it may become a
conducting path and large current
will flow
A person can be electrocuted to
death!

2.3. Describe fuse and its functions

þ It is a safety device to prevent short circuit that can cause fire and damage to the electrical
appliances.
þ A short circuit occurs when there is a low resistance and a large amount of current flowing in
the circuit.
þ It consists of a wire that will melt at a certain temperature.
þ The wire is usually made up of an alloy of tin and lead.
þ When excessive current flows through the fuse, it will melt and break the circuit
þ Normally fuses have rating of 1A, 2A, 5A, 10A, 13A

Example
1. If 5A, 10A and 13A fuses are available, state which is most appropriate for the following
appliances which both connected to 240V supply
a) Electric toaster having power rating of 1kW
!
𝐼 = "
#$$$
= %&$
= 4.17 𝐴
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑠𝑢𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑠 5𝐴

b) Electric fire having a power rating of 3kW

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