AAMC FL Practice Exam

In physics, what does the formula P = IV represent?

1. Power

2. Voltage

3. Current

4. Resistance

The correct answer is: Power

The formula P = IV represents the relationship between power, current, and voltage in an electrical circuit. Here, P stands for power measured in watts, I stands for current measured in amperes, and V stands for voltage measured in volts. This equation shows that power is the product of current flowing through a circuit and the voltage across that circuit. Power is a measure of how much energy is used or generated over time. This relationship is critical in understanding how electrical devices operate, as it allows you to calculate how much electrical energy they consume when they are in use. In practical terms, if you know the current and voltage in a circuit, you can easily find out the power being used, which is essential for designing and analyzing electrical systems. The other options relate to different concepts in electricity: voltage is the potential difference that drives current through a circuit, current is the flow of electric charge, and resistance is a measure of the opposition to the flow of current. Each plays a significant role in circuit behavior, but they do not directly represent the relationship outlined in the formula.