ElectricityDeep Dive

Three Power Equations — When to Use Each

Part of Electrical Power & EnergyGCSE Physics

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 is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. 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)

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