ElectricityDeep Dive

Three Power Equations — When to Use Each

Part of Electrical Power & Energy · GCSE GCSE Physics revision

This deep dive covers Three Power Equations — When to Use Each within Electrical Power & Energy for GCSE Physics. Revise Electrical Power & Energy in Electricity for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 30 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 2 of 15 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 2 of 15

Practice

15 questions

Recall

30 flashcards

📚 Three Power Equations — When to Use Each

Electrical Power Equations
P = I × V    P = I²R    P = V²/R
Power (W) = Current (A) × Voltage (V)

P = IV — Use when you know current AND voltage

P = I²R — Use when you know current AND resistance (no voltage given)

P = V²/R — Use when you know voltage AND resistance (no current given)

How these all connect (combining P = IV with V = IR):

  • P = IV, substitute V = IR → P = I × (IR) = I²R
  • P = IV, substitute I = V/R → P = (V/R) × V = V²/R

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Electrical Power & Energy. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Electrical Power & Energy

What is the unit of electrical power?

  • A. Joule (J)
  • B. Ampere (A)
  • C. Watt (W)
  • D. Volt (V)
1 markfoundation

Explain why the National Grid transmits electricity at high voltage to reduce energy losses.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is 1 watt?
1 joule of energy transferred per second (1 W = 1 J/s)
Unit of power?
Watt (W) or joules per second (J/s)

15 questions on Electrical Power & Energy — practise free

Instant marking, adaptive difficulty, and 30 spaced repetition flashcards. Free until your GCSEs.

Try PrepWise Free