Electric Energy and Power
Energy of Electric Current Emf source does work on electrons Electrons then do work on circuit components: resistors, bulbs, motors, etc. One coulomb of charge moved through potential difference of one volt equals one joule of work done, energy increase also 1J W = qV = VIt (since q = It)
Energy of Electric Current For one electron moved through 1 volt, unit of work/energy is electron volt (eV) 1 eV = 1.60 x J
Energy and Resistance Work done on resistance by current appears as heat; can be desirable (oven, iron, heater) or not (motor, light, computer) Since resistance always present in normal circuits, some energy lost due to heat Joule’s Law: Q = I 2 Rt Use to calculate heat produced by resistance and current over a time period
Power in Electric Circuits Since power is work/time, P = VI For a resistive element, P = I 2 R power dissipated in a resistance If current is not known, P = V 2 /R For total power in circuit, use E of emf source for V and R T of circuit for R For maximum power transfer, R L = r source
Power Companies Energy sold in kilowatt-hours, a unit of energy (power x time) 1 kW-hr means device used 1000 watts of power for one hour To minimize power loss in transmission lines, high voltages and fairly low currents used
345 kV 138 kV 24 kV 12 kV
Home Electrical Circuits Circuits in homes are in parallel; devices are connected in parallel When many resistances connected in parallel, total resistance is low, current high Too much current through wires causes excessive heating, fire hazard Circuits protected from high currents by circuit breakers or fuses