Why isn't the Heat generated = Voltage*Charge carried?

In summary, the power of an electrical circuit is equal to the work done divided by the time it takes for a cell or battery to maintain a potential difference. This can be written as Power=Voltage*Charge/time or Power=Voltage*Current. When calculating heat dissipated, the formula is Heat dissipated=Voltage*Current*time, but current can also be expressed as Charge carried/time, leading to the equation Heat dissipated=Voltage*Charge carried.
  • #1
prakhargupta3301
58
1
I found out that Power of an electrical circuit will be equal to the work done divided by the time T for which the power by the cell or battery is exerting to keep a potential difference V in the circuit for a charge Q.

Hence, Power= Voltage*Charge/time

Which then can be written as: Power= Voltage*Current

Now, when we want to calculate the heat dissipated, the formula is: Heat dissipated= Voltage*Current*time
But the value of current is already: Current= Charge Carried/ time
So, my problem is, why isn't Heat dissipated= Voltage*Charge carried/time*time = Voltage*Charge carried

Please help me.
 
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  • #2
It is. That is just a different way to express the same thing.
 
  • Like
Likes CWatters and anorlunda
  • #3
+1 What mfb said.

It's also lot easier to measure current than it is to measure charge.
 

1. Why isn't the heat generated equal to the product of voltage and charge carried?

The heat generated in a system is not solely dependent on the voltage and charge carried. It is also affected by other factors such as the resistance of the system and the type of material used. The relationship between heat generation and voltage and charge carried is more complex and cannot be simplified to a simple product.

2. How is heat generated in an electrical system?

Heat is generated in an electrical system when there is a flow of electric current. This current flows through a material with resistance, causing collisions between the charge carriers and the atoms of the material. These collisions result in the conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy, which is seen as an increase in temperature.

3. Can the heat generated be increased by increasing the voltage or charge carried?

Increasing the voltage or charge carried in a system can increase the heat generated, but this is not always the case. If the resistance of the system remains constant, then an increase in voltage or charge will result in an increase in current, leading to a higher heat generation. However, if the resistance also increases with the increase in voltage, then the heat generated may remain the same or even decrease.

4. Is there a way to reduce the heat generated in an electrical system?

Yes, there are ways to reduce the heat generated in an electrical system. One way is to use materials with lower resistance, which will result in less heat generated for the same amount of current. Another way is to increase the surface area of the material, which will dissipate the heat more efficiently. Additionally, using methods such as cooling or heat sinks can also help reduce the heat generated.

5. Are there any applications where the heat generated is desirable?

Yes, in some cases, the heat generated is desirable. For example, in electric heaters or stoves, the heat generated is the desired output. In some electronic devices, such as light bulbs, the heat generated is also used to produce light. However, in most cases, excessive heat generation is not desirable and can lead to damage or malfunction of the system.

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