How can we demonstrate that the equation P = IV …

Physics Questions

use fundamental units to show that equation P=IV is homogenous, where I is electric current , V is voltage and P is power.​

Short Answer

The equation P = IV defines the relationship between power (P), current (I), and voltage (V), showing that power in watts is the product of current in amperes and voltage in volts. The units are consistent, confirming the equation’s homogeneity, and it can be related to Ohm’s Law, yielding different formulations that reinforce its validity.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand the Equation

The equation P = IV expresses the relationship between power (P), current (I), and voltage (V). This relationship indicates that power in watts is derived from multiplying current in amperes by voltage in volts. By noting that one watt equals one joule per second (J/s), we can confirm that this equation makes sense dimensionally.

Step 2: Analyze the Units

To check if the equation is homogenous, we examine the units involved. Each unit can be defined as follows:

  • Power (P) is measured in watts (W).
  • Electric current (I) is measured in amperes (A).
  • Voltage (V) is measured in volts (V).

By substituting the definitions, we find that 1 watt is indeed equivalent to 1 joule per second, confirming the homogeneity of the equation.

Step 3: Relate to Ohm’s Law

Ohm’s law (V = IR) also underpins the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. By substituting different forms of Ohm’s law into the equation for power, we can rewrite it as:

  • P = V¬¨‚â§/R (substituting I = V/R)
  • P = I¬¨‚â§R (substituting V = IR)

These variations consistently reflect the fundamental units of electric power, verifying that the initial equation P = IV is robust and homogenous across different representations.

Related Concepts

Power

The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit, measured in watts (w).

Current

The flow of electric charge in a circuit, measured in amperes (a).

Voltage

The electric potential difference between two points in a circuit, measured in volts (v).

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