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Physics doubts. Urgent help is needed!?

Posted by admin On January - 5 - 2009

1) There are two equations for power consumed by a device:

P = I²R
P = V²/R

The first expression indicates that Power is directly proportional to R whereas the second expression indicates inverse proportionality.
How can the seemingly different dependence of P on R in these expressions be explained?

2) An electrician puts a fuse of rating 5A in that part of domestic electrical circuit in which an electrical heater of rating 1.5kW, 220V is operating. What is likely to happen in this case and why? What change, if any, needs to be made?

From ohm's law,
I = V / R, V = I * R, R = V / I
The equation for power, P = Voltage x Current = V * I
But V = I / R, & substitute the above value in above eqn
P = V * I = (I * R) * I = I² * R ……………(1)
P = V * I = V * (V /R) = V² / R…………(2)
In eqn (1), P is directly proportional to I² & R
In eqn (2), P is directly proportional to V² & inversely to R.
Comparing to the values of V & I , V is much much higher than that of I. Hence, the difference in their squares will be still higher. So in the second equation ,the extra magnitude caused by squaring the V will be neutralised by inverse proportionality of the resistance.

(2) The rating of the heater = 1.5 kw = 1500 w & 220 V
As Power P = V * I, I = P / V
Hence, Current = 1500 / 220 = 6.8 Ampere.
As the fuse is only of 5 A the fuse will blow off. To protect this any value higher than 6.8 Amps ( as a safety margin make it 7 amps)

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Talk soon,
Joe Beaven

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8 Responses

  1. quazarxp Says:

    1) You can't look at the R separate from the rest of the expression. Within V, I, and R, exactly two of them are dependent on each other, as the olm law sets the constraint V=IR.

    You need to assume either I or V is constant (independent) with R changing. If I is constant, then it's proportionality. If V is constant, it's inverse proportionality. Depends on if you're using a voltage source (constant V) or current source (constant I). So it's indeed not a conflict.

    2) P=VI. or 1500=220*I, leading to I>5A. So the current is expected to be stronger than the fuse is allowed to carry. Therefore, replace the fuse with one with a higher rating, say, 10A.
    References :

    Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

  2. rscanner Says:

    Power is actually V I

    In the first equation group one of the I's and the R to get V so that P = V I in the second equation group one of the V's divided by R to get I so again we get P = V I

    Or in other words for the first equation as R increases the V must increase and therefore power, the second equation as R increases the I will decrease thereby decreasing power.

    2) 1.5kW / 220 V would require at least a 7 Amp Fuse. I would probably round it up to 10 Amps.
    References :

    Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

  3. unknown123 Says:

    In the formulae, I and V are not constant terms. In fact I and V depend on R. So you can't say P is directly propotional to R.

    I =Sqrt(P/V)

    = sqrt(1500/220)
    References :

    Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

  4. Mad Mac Says:

    Voltage = amperes x resistance (V = IR) so V^2 = I^2 x R^2 and I^2 x R^2/ R still leaves R in the direct proportionality relation, (I^2 x R) = P.
    References :
    I studied physics years ago.

    Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

  5. John B Says:

    1) You can think about it this way: If the current stays the same and you increase the resistance, the voltage (and thus the power) must increase in order to force the same current through a higher resistance. If the voltage stays the same and you increase the resistance, then less current flows so the power decreases (and vice versa).

    2) P = IV is what you apply to solve this problem.
    References :

    Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 3:08 pm

  6. joychayan Says:

    From ohm's law,
    I = V / R, V = I * R, R = V / I
    The equation for power, P = Voltage x Current = V * I
    But V = I / R, & substitute the above value in above eqn
    P = V * I = (I * R) * I = I² * R ……………(1)
    P = V * I = V * (V /R) = V² / R…………(2)
    In eqn (1), P is directly proportional to I² & R
    In eqn (2), P is directly proportional to V² & inversely to R.
    Comparing to the values of V & I , V is much much higher than that of I. Hence, the difference in their squares will be still higher. So in the second equation ,the extra magnitude caused by squaring the V will be neutralised by inverse proportionality of the resistance.

    (2) The rating of the heater = 1.5 kw = 1500 w & 220 V
    As Power P = V * I, I = P / V
    Hence, Current = 1500 / 220 = 6.8 Ampere.
    As the fuse is only of 5 A the fuse will blow off. To protect this any value higher than 6.8 Amps ( as a safety margin make it 7 amps)
    References :

    Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

  7. starwhitedwarf Says:

    I can answer the first question.
    Directly proportional means P = (constant) R. I is not a constant so you cannot say power is directly proportional to R.
    References :

    Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

  8. Raindrops Says:

    Here is my answer. Not sure if it is 100% though.

    Voltage = amperes x resistance (V = IR) so V^2 = I^2 x R^2 and I^2 x R^2/ R still leaves R in the direct proportionality relation, (I^2 x R) = P.
    References :

    Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 4:49 pm

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