Calculate Power Consumption: 600W Device at 220V to 160V | 1W Precision

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The discussion focuses on calculating the power consumption of a 600W device when connected to a voltage of 160V instead of 220V. Participants initially calculate current and resistance, arriving at an approximate power of 316.51W. They emphasize the importance of rounding only the final answer to 317W, adhering to the requirement of 1W precision. A clarification is made regarding the need for more significant digits in intermediate calculations to avoid rounding errors. The final consensus is that the power consumption at 160V is approximately 317W.
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Homework Statement


An electrical device consumes 600 W of power, when connected to 220 V voltage.

Homework Equations


Calculate the power consumption of the device, when it is connected in 160 V voltage. Give the answer in 1 W precision.

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried and found I=2.72 amps, R=80.88 Ohms, and W=316.51
 
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Looks good.You need to round up the final answer and for problems of this type it's probably best to do the rounding up at the end.
 
hi chawki! :smile:
chawki said:
I tried and found I=2.72 amps, R=80.88 Ohms, and W=316.51

yeees :redface:

but now do it the quick way (ie, without bothering to find I or R) :wink:

when you vary V, what is Q proportional to?
 


Oh please Tiny-Tim...don't tease me on this one too :confused:
 


317?
 
write out all the equations (for W V I and R) …

eliminate I (since you don't know what I is), that should give you just W V and R …

then assume that R is constant …

how does W depend on V ? :smile:
 


W=V^2 / R
But what does it have to do if it is proportional to V^2
 
if W = V2/R

and if V is decreased from 220 to 160 (and R stays the same) …

how much is W increased? :smile:
 


i give up
 
  • #10


To Dadface...
Is it 317watts ?
 
  • #11


It is said to give the answer in 1watt precision
 
Last edited:
  • #12


since there is .51 the answer would be 317watts?
 
  • #13


Yes. And even more so if you do not make that rounding error in the current.

ehild
 
  • #14


We need to round also the current??
They asked only the answer to be rounded...
 
  • #15


You rounded it to 2.72. It is wrong. It was 600/220=2.727272~2.727 A. The resistance is 220/2.727=80.67 ohm.

You should use at least one more significant digits in the intermediate results than in the final result.

ehild
 
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