If the current through a resistor is doubled, what happens to the power consumed
Practice Questions
Q1
If the current through a resistor is doubled, what happens to the power consumed by the resistor?
Increases by 2 times
Increases by 4 times
Remains the same
Decreases by 2 times
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
If the current through a resistor is doubled, what happens to the power consumed by the resistor?
Correct Answer: Power becomes 4 times the original power.
Step 1: Understand the formula for power in a resistor, which is P = I^2 * R, where P is power, I is current, and R is resistance.
Step 2: Identify what happens when the current (I) is doubled. If I is doubled, it becomes 2I.
Step 3: Substitute 2I into the power formula: P = (2I)^2 * R.
Step 4: Calculate (2I)^2, which equals 4I^2.
Step 5: Now, substitute this back into the power formula: P = 4I^2 * R.
Step 6: Compare this new power (4I^2 * R) to the original power (I^2 * R).
Step 7: Notice that the new power is 4 times the original power, meaning if the current is doubled, the power consumed by the resistor increases by 4 times.
Ohm's Law and Power Calculation – Understanding the relationship between current, resistance, and power in electrical circuits.