Power (AQA GCSE Physics: Combined Science)

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Power

  • Machines, such as car engines, transfer energy from one energy store to another constantly over a period of time

  • The rate of this energy transfer, or the rate of work done, is called power

  • Time is an important consideration when it comes to power
  • Two cars transfer the same amount of energy, or do the same amount of work to accelerate over a distance
  • If one car has more power, it will transfer that energy, or do that work, in a shorter amount of time

Power cars, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Two cars accelerate to the same final speed, but the one with the most power will reach that speed sooner

 

  • Power is defined as

Energy transferred per unit time

 

  • Therefore, power can be calculated using the equation

P space equals fraction numerator space E over denominator t end fraction

  • Where:
    • P = power in watts (W)
    • E = energy transferred in joules (J)
    • t = time in seconds (s)

  • Since

energy transferred = work done

  • Power can also be calculated using the equation

P space equals fraction numerator space W over denominator t end fraction

  • Where:
    • P = power in watts (W)
    • W = work done in joules (J) 
    • t = time in seconds (s)

  • This equation can be rearranged with the help of a formula triangle:

Power triangle (2), IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Work, power and time formula triangle

How to Use Formula Triangles

  • Formula triangles are really useful for knowing how to rearrange physics equations
  • To use them:

  1. Cover up the quantity to be calculated, this is known as the 'subject' of the equation
  2. Look at the position of the other two quantities
    • If they are on the same line, this means they are multiplied
    • If one quantity is above the other, this means they are divided - make sure to keep the order of which is on the top and bottom of the fraction!

  • In the example below, to calculate speed, cover-up 'speed' and only distance and time are left
    • This means it is equal to distance (on the top) ÷ time (on the bottom)

Formula Triangle, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

How to use formula triangles

 

 

  • Power ratings are given to appliances to show the amount of energy transferred per unit time
  • Common power ratings are shown in the table below:

Power Ratings Table

 

  • Power and power ratings are useful because power describes how fast the energy is transferred from one store to another

Power cars, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Two identical cars accelerating to the same final speed will both transfer the same amount of energy. But if one of them does it in a shorter time, it will have a greater power

Worked example

Calculate the energy transferred when an iron with a power rating of 2000 W is used for 5 minutes.

 

Step 1: List the known values

      • Power, P = 2000 W
      • Time, t = 5 minutes = 5 × 60 = 300 s

Step 2: Write down the relevant equation 

P space equals space E over t

Step 3: Rearrange for energy transferred, ΔE

E space equals space P t

Step 4: Substitute in the known values

E space equals space 2000 space cross times space 300

E space equals space 600 space 000 space straight J

Examiner Tip

When calculating power, a mistake that students often make is using the incorrect units for time. Remember that one watt is the equivalent to one joule per second so when calculating power, time must be in seconds.

Students often lose marks in the exam because they forget to convert minutes or hours to seconds. Don't make the same mistake!

The Watt

  • The watt is the unit of power
  • Since power is energy transferred per second, the watt can also be defined as 1 joule per second

1 W = 1 J / s 

  • 1 kilowatt (1 kW) is equal to 1000 watts, or 1000 joules of energy transferred per second (1 kJ / s)

Examiner Tip

One way to remember this unit is to remember the saying “watt is the unit of power?”

Comparing Power Outputs

  • Two electric motors:
    • lift the same weight
    • by the same height
    • but one motor lifts it faster than the other

  • The motor that lifts the weight faster has more power

Electric Motors Power, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Two motors with different powers

Maths Tip

  • GCSE physics equations will mostly require fractions
    • These are made up of the numerator (the top number) and the denominator (the bottom number)

  • If the denominator decreases and the numerator stays the same, the whole fraction increases
  • If the denominator increases and the numerator stays the same, the whole fraction decreases
    • This is known as inverse proportionality

  • If the denominator stays the same and the numerator increases, the whole fraction increases
  • If the denominator stays the same and the numerator decreases, the whole fraction decreases
    • This is known as direct proportionality

Fractions Maths Tip, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

How to know whether the value of a fraction increases or decreases

Worked example

Two electric motors transfer 40 J of energy to lift a load. Motor A does this in 10 seconds, motor B does this n 20 seconds.

Determine which motor is more powerful, and by how much.

 

Step 1: List the known quantities

    • Energy transferred for both motors, E = 40 J
    • Time for motor AtA = 10 s
    • Time for motor B, tB = 20 s

Step 2: Write down the equation for power

P space equals fraction numerator space E over denominator t end fraction

Step 3: Calculate the power for both motors by substituting values into the power equation 

    • For motor A:

P subscript A space equals space E over t subscript A

P subscript A space equals space 40 over 10

P subscript A space equals space 4 space straight W

 

    • For motor B:

P subscript B space equals fraction numerator space E over denominator t subscript B end fraction

P subscript B space equals space 40 over 20

P subscript B space equals space 2 space straight W

Step 4: Determine which motor is more powerful 

    • Motor A is twice (4 ÷ 2 = 2) as powerful as motor B

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Leander

Author: Leander

Expertise: Physics

Leander graduated with First-class honours in Science and Education from Sheffield Hallam University. She won the prestigious Lord Robert Winston Solomon Lipson Prize in recognition of her dedication to science and teaching excellence. After teaching and tutoring both science and maths students, Leander now brings this passion for helping young people reach their potential to her work at SME.