Topic Summaries

Electrical power

GCSE > Physics > CCEA > GCSE Physics Topic Summaries > Electricity > Electrical power
Previous Module
Next Module

Charge, current, and electric fields

Stopping, braking, and momentum

Science skills: Measuring results

  • The power of an electrical appliance is given as \(\text{power}\times\text{potential difference}\times\text{current}\). This can be written as \(P = VI\) where:
    • \(P\) is the power of the appliance in W
    • \(V\) the potential difference across it in V
    • \(I\) is the current through it in A
  • This can be combined with the resistance equation: \(\text{power}=\text{(current)}^2 \times\text{resistance}\) or \(P=I^2R\) where \(R\) is the resistance of the appliance in Ohms, Ω.
  • Most household appliances have a power rating, which can be used to determine the current that should flow through it from mains electricity.

Unlock Electrical power

Subscribe to SnapRevise+ to get immediate access to the rest of this resource.

Premium accounts get immediate access to this resource.

Previous Module
Next Module