IGCSE 0625 / Section 4.2.5 / Core

What the bill counts.

The energy company does not bill you in joules, the numbers would be enormous. It uses a bigger, friendlier unit, the kilowatt-hour, and the cost is just that number of units times a price.

The key idea

The kilowatt-hour is the energy used by a one kilowatt appliance in one hour. Energy in kilowatt-hours is power in kilowatts multiplied by time in hours, and the cost is that energy multiplied by the price of one kilowatt-hour.

Definition · learn the exact words

The kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the energy transferred by a 1 kW appliance in 1 hour. It is the unit of energy used on an electricity bill.

energy (kWh) = power (kW) × time (h)

cost = energy in kWh × price per kWh. The kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy, not power.

Section 01

Add up the units.

Set an appliance power and running time and watch the kilowatt-hours and the cost add up.

Stage 1 · Learn

Check kilowatt hours

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

Quick check+10 XP

The kilowatt-hour is a unit of...

Quick check+10 XP

Energy in kilowatt-hours is...

Quick check+10 XP

The cost of the electricity used is...

Quick check+10 XP

A 1 kW appliance running for 1 hour uses...

Section 02

Units, then cost.

Work out the energy in kilowatt-hours first, then multiply by the price.

energy (kWh) = power (kW) × time (h)
Worked example

A 2.0 kW heater runs for 3.0 hours. Electricity costs 30 cents per kWh. Find the cost.

Step 1 · Energy usedE = 2.0 × 3.0 = 6.0 kWh
Step 2 · Costcost = 6.0 × 30
Step 3 · Answercost = 180 cents (1.80)
Examiner trap

The kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy, not power. Use the power in kilowatts and the time in hours, then multiply the kilowatt-hours by the price per unit to get the cost.

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 2.0 kW heater runs for 3.0 hours. The energy it uses is...

Exam style+20 XP

At 30 cents per kWh, the cost of using 6.0 kWh is...

Exam style+20 XP

A 100 W lamp is left on for 10 hours. The energy it uses is...

Skill unlocked

Kilowatt hours, mastered.

Kilowatt-hours and cost complete the electrical quantities strand. Keep the chain going.

-Rank -Level -Score -Topics
Go deeper · practice
Six original Cambridge-style questions
The kilowatt-hour as a unit of energy and working out the cost of electricity from power, time and price. 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 kilowatt hours.
Start the unit challenge →