IGCSE 0625 / Section 4.2.5 / Core

Energy every second.

A bright heater and a dim phone charger both run on electricity, but one pours out energy far faster. Power is simply that rate, and it follows from current and voltage in a single step.

The key idea

Electrical power is the rate of transferring energy, P = I multiplied by V, measured in watts. Over a time t the energy transferred is E = I multiplied by V multiplied by t.

Definition · learn the exact words

Electrical power is the rate at which energy is transferred. The energy transferred is the power multiplied by the time.

P = I V  and  E = I V t

Power is in watts (W), energy in joules (J), time in seconds. One watt is one joule per second.

Section 01

Read off the power.

Set the current and voltage and watch the power, then the energy build up over time.

Stage 1 · Learn

Check electrical power

Four quick checks. Each correct answer earns XP and lights this skill on your star map.

Quick check+10 XP

Electrical power is given by...

Quick check+10 XP

The unit of power is the...

Quick check+10 XP

The electrical energy transferred is...

Quick check+10 XP

One watt is the same as one...

Section 02

From power to energy.

Multiply power by time to get the energy transferred.

P = I V  and  E = I V t = P t
Worked example

A heater takes a current of 5.0 A from a 240 V supply. Find its power.

Step 1 · Write the relationP = I V
Step 2 · SubstituteP = 5.0 × 240
Step 3 · AnswerP = 1200 W
Examiner trap

Power is current multiplied by voltage, P = I V, in watts. To get the energy, multiply the power by the time, E = P t = I V t, in joules.

Stage 2 · Exam

Exam-style questions

Unlocks once the four checks above are done. Worth more XP, written in the style of Paper 2.

Finish the four checks above to unlock the exam questions
Exam style+20 XP

A heater takes 5.0 A from a 240 V supply. Its power is...

Exam style+20 XP

A 60 W lamp is switched on for 120 s. The energy it transfers is...

Exam style+20 XP

A 1500 W kettle runs from the 230 V mains. The current it draws is about...

Skill unlocked

Electrical power, mastered.

Electrical power and energy are mapped. Keep the chain going.

-Rank -Level -Score -Topics
Go deeper · practice
Six original Cambridge-style questions
Electrical power P = IV, energy E = IVt, and their units, with current, voltage and time calculations. Attempt each, then reveal the worked solution.
Stage 3 · master the unit
Electricity and magnetism challenge
Mixed questions across the whole unit, each one worth XP. Start this only when you feel confident across every topic in the unit, not just electrical power.
Start the unit challenge →