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Energy

Power ratings, and calculating efficiency

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 6 (Physics)

Overview

Power as energy transferred each second, what a power rating means, calculations of energy, power and time, why a low-power appliance left on all day can cost more than a high-power one used briefly, and calculating efficiency from energies or powers, including why it can never exceed 100 per cent.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Give the two ways of calculating efficiency, from energies and from powers, and explain why efficiency can never exceed 100 per cent.

Key term

What is an appliance's power, in watts, how is power found, and what does a 2500 W kettle do compared with a 60 W lamp?

Key term

What is meant by the power of an appliance?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is meant by the power of an appliance?

    Model answer

    The energy it transfers each second, measured in watts.

  2. 2

    State the equation linking power, energy transferred and time.

    Model answer

    Power = energy transferred ÷ time taken.

  3. 3

    What does a power rating of 2 kW tell you about an appliance in use?

    Model answer

    It transfers 2000 J of energy every second while it is switched on.

  4. 4

    A kettle is rated at 2500 W and a lamp at 60 W. What does this tell you about how quickly each empties the stores that supply it?

    Model answer

    The kettle transfers energy about forty times faster, so its stores are emptied far more quickly.

  5. 5

    A hairdryer rated at 1000 W is used for 5 minutes. How much energy does it transfer?

    Model answer

    300000 J.

  6. 6

    A microwave oven rated at 900 W transfers 108000 J of energy. For how long was it running?

    Model answer

    120 s.

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