Q.Derive the expression for power P=VI in an electrical circuit.
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Deriving P = VI. Tracking a small positive charge dQ around a simple loop containing a battery of voltage V and a resistor: moving through the battery, the charge gains potential energy dU=VdQ (at the expense of the battery's stored chemical energy); moving through the resistor, it loses that same energy to collisions with the resistor's atoms. The rate at which this energy is delivered is the electrical power, P=dU/dt=VdQ/dt, and since I=dQ/dt,
P=VI
This gives the power delivered by a battery (or delivered TO any electrical device) carrying current I under potential difference V, with SI unit the watt (1 W=1 J/s).
Alternative forms via Ohm's law. Substituting V=IR into P=VI gives P=I2R, and substituting I=V/R instead gives P=V2/R -- three algebraically equivalent expressions for the power dissipated in a resistor, each convenient in different situations depending on which quantity (I or V) is already known. The I2R (and V2/R) forms make clear that power depends on the SQUARE of current (or voltage): doubling the current through a fixed resistor quadruples, not merely doubles, the power dissipated. …
Tracking energy gained through the battery and lost through the resistor for a charge dQ gives P=dU/dt=V(dQ/dt)=VI. …
Step 1. Consider a small positive charge dQ moving once around a simple loop containing a battery of voltage V and a resistor.
Step 2. Moving through the battery (from a to b), the charge GAINS potential energy dU=VdQ, at the expense of the battery's stored chemical energy.
Step 3. Moving through the resistor (from c to d), the charge LOSES this same energy dU=VdQ to collisions with the resistor's atoms, converting it to heat.
Step 4. The rate at which this energy is delivered is the electrical power, P=dtdU=VdtdQ. …
Track the energy dU = V dQ gained/lost by a small charge and divide by …
Showing the 12 most recent of 22 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.Which of the following expressions represents electrical energy? (A) V.I.t (B) V.I (C) I.R^2.t (D) V^2/R
›Reveal solutionSolution
Electrical energy W = VIt (power VI multiplied by time t).
Electrical power dissipated is P=VI. Energy is power multiplied by the time for which it flows:
W=Pt=VIt
…
- CBSE 2025Set D1 markMCQQ.Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit of (A) energy (B) power (C) torque (D) force
›Reveal solutionSolution
kWh = power × time = energy; 1 kWh = 3.6 × 10⁶ J.
The kilowatt-hour is the product of a unit of power and a unit of time:
1kWh=1kW×1hour=1000W×3600s=3.6×106J
…
- CBSE 2025Set D1 markMCQQ.Power of electric circuit is (A) V.R (B) V^2.R (C) V^2/R (D) V^2.R.I
›Reveal solutionSolution
Power dissipated in a resistor is P = V²/R.
Electrical power is the rate of doing work, P = VI. Using Ohm's law V = IR we can write it three equivalent ways:
P=VI=I2R=RV2
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A 100 watt electric bulb is connected to a 220 volt electric source. The resistance of the bulb's filament is(a) 484 ohm(b) 100 ohm(c) 22000 ohm(d) 242 ohm
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a resistive load, power P = V^2/R, so the filament resistance is R = V^2/P.
Given V = 220 V and P = 100 W:
R = V^2 / P = (220)^2 / 100 = 48400 / 100 = 484 ohm
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.A current of 5.0 A flows through a press of resistance 11Ω. Calculate the energy consumed by the press in 5 minutes.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using W = I²Rt with t converted to seconds gives the energy dissipated as heat in the press: 82.5 kJ.
Given: I = 5.0 A, R = 11 Ω, t = 5 min = 5 × 60 = 300 s
Energy consumed (heat dissipated):
W=I2Rt=(5.0)2×11×300
W=25×11×300=275×300=82500 J
…
- CBSE 2024Set A1 markMCQQ.Two bulbs of 40 W and 60 W are connected to 220 V source. The ratio of their resistances will be (A) 4 : 3 (B) 3 : 4 (C) 2 : 3 (D) 3 : 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
At the same voltage R = V²/P, so R ∝ 1/P → R₄₀:R₆₀ = 60:40 = 3:2.
The power rating is defined at the operating voltage, so R=PV2. Since both bulbs use the same 220 V, resistance is inversely proportional to power.
…
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.1 mA current is flowing through a conductor of 2 kΩ resistance. How much power is lost in it ?(a) 0.2 W(b) 2 mW(c) 2 W(d) 2 kW
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use P = I²R with I in amperes.
Given: I = 1 mA = 1 × 10⁻³ A, R = 2 kΩ = 2 × 10³ Ω.
Power dissipated (Joule heating) in a resistor carrying current I is:
…
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Calculate the number of kWh in one joule :(a) 6.3 × 10⁶ kWh(b) 2.8 × 10⁻⁷ kWh(c) 3.6 × 10⁶ kWh(d) 3.6 × 10³ kWh
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert using 1 kWh = 3.6 × 10⁶ J, then invert.
One kilowatt-hour is the energy consumed by a 1 kW appliance running for 1 hour:
1 kWh=1000 W×3600 s=3.6×106 J
So to express 1 joule in kWh, invert this relation: …
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A toaster operating at 240 V has resistance of 120 Ω. Its power is :(a) 240 W(b) 400 W(c) 480 W(d) 2 W
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using P=V2/R with V=240 V and R=120Ω gives P=480 W.
Working
For a resistive appliance operating at a fixed voltage V with resistance R, the power dissipated is
P=RV2
Substituting V=240 V, R=120Ω: …
- CBSE 2023Set F1 markMCQQ.Two resistors R and 2R are connected in series in an electric circuit. The thermal energy developed in R and 2R will be in ratio (A) 1:2 (B) 1:4 (C) 2:1 (D) 4:1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Series → same current → heat ∝R → ratio 1:2.
In a series circuit the same current I flows through both resistors. The thermal (Joule) power dissipated is P=I2R, so with equal I the heat produced is directly proportional to the res …
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Power of 60 W is being supplied to an electrical appliance, under a potential difference of 240 V. What is the current flowing through the appliance? OR A heating element connected to a 12 V battery draws a current of 5 A. How much electric power is supplied?
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using P=VI, the current drawn by the appliance is 0.25 A; in the alternative part, the power supplied by a 12 V battery driving 5 A is 60 W.
Solution:
Electrical power: P=VI
Given P=60 W, V=240 V:
I=VP=24060=0.25 A
Alternative (Or):
…
- CBSE 2022Set GC1 markQ.In a house 200 bulbs each of 60 W are connected in parallel with the mains of 200 V. Calculate the consumption of electrical energy per day (24 hrs).
›Reveal solutionSolution
200 bulbs ×60 W =12 kW; over 24 h that is 12×24=288 kWh =288 units.
Bulbs in parallel each receive the full mains voltage, so each dissipates its rated 60 W. Total power:
P=200×60=12000 W=12 kW.
Energy consumed in one day (t=24 h): …
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