ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND POWER

Electrical energy is important because this form of energy can be converted easily into other forms of energy.

All these electrical appliances need electricity...

ENERGY CONVERSION
Type of appliance Energy conversion

Electric Fan
Electric kettle, iron, hot plate Hair dryer Radio Washing Machine

Electrical energy KE
Electrical energy Heat energy Electrical energy Heat energy + KE Electrical energy Sound Electrical energy Mechanical energy

ELECTRICAL

ENERGY

Electrical energy is defined as the ability of the electric current to do work.

It is a form of energy produced by the flow of electrons.

Using the definition for potential difference,

EXAMPLE 1 :

In an electric heater, a current of 2A flows through a heating element. The potential difference across the heating element is 24V. How much heat is released after 3 minutes? Solution :

I = 2A , t = 3 min = 180 s, V = 24 V E = VIt = 24 (2)(180) = 8640 J

ELECTRIC POWER

Power is defined as the rate of electrical energy dissipated or transferred.

The unit of electric power is the watt (W).

1W=1J/s

EXAMPLE :

An electric kettle is rated 240 V 2kW. Calculate the resistance of its heating element and the current at normal usage.
Solution :

R = V2/P = 2402 / 2000 = 28.8 Ohm. P= I V I = P/ V = 2000 / 240 = 8.3 A

POWER RATING AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Practically all household electrical appliances that work on the heating effect of current are marked with voltage and power ratings. An electrical kettle which is marked 240 V, 1500 W means that the kettle will consume 1500 J of electrical energy every 1 second if it is connected to 240 V supply.

Energy consumed = Power rating x time

E in Joules P in watt t in seconds

The larger the power rating, the more energy is used every second. The longer the usage time, the more electrical energy is consumed.

Electric meter in the house measure the total amount of energy used by the household. The unit of measurement used for electrical energy consumption is the kilowatt-hour, kWh, which is also known as unit.

EXAMPLE :
If one unit of electricity costs 21.8 cents, calculate the cost of using five 36 W fluorescent lamps and a 120 W television if they are switched on five hours a day for the month of January. Solution :

Power of lamp : 5 x 36 W = 180 W Power of tv : 120 W Total power = 180 x 120 = 300 W = 0.3 kW Total time = 5 hours x 31 days = 155 hours Energy used, E = P x t = 0.3 x 155 = 46.5 units Cost = 46.5 x 21.8 cents = RM 10.14