- Electrical Energy Definition: Electrical energy is the work done by electric charge moving through a potential difference.
- Potential Difference: The potential difference between two points in an electric field is the driving force for the charge movement, measured in volts.
- Electric Current: Electric current is the flow of electric charge through a conductor, measured in amperes.
- Formula for Electrical Energy: Electrical energy is calculated using the formula 𝐸 = 𝑉 × 𝐼 × 𝑡 E=V×I×t.
- Units of Electrical Energy: The basic unit of electrical energy is the joule, with other units like watt-hours and kilowatt-hours used commercially.
What is Electrical Energy?
To understand electrical energy, we first need to review the potential difference between two points in an electric field.
Let’s say the potential difference between point A and point B in an electric field is v volts.
As per the definition of potential difference we can say, if one positive unit electrical charge that is a body containing one-coulomb positive charge travels from point A to point B, it will do v joules work.
Now instead of one-coulomb charge if q coulomb charge moves from point A to B, it will do vq joules work.
If the time taken by the q coulomb charge to travel from point A to B is t second, then we can write the rate of work done as
Again, we define the work done per second as power. In that case, the term
would be electrical power. In differential form, we can write, electric power
Watt is the unit of power.
If we place a conductor between A and B, and a charge of q coulombs passes through it, the electric charge passing through a cross-section of the conductor per unit time (second) is
It is nothing but the electric current i, through the conductor.
Now, we can write,
If this current flows through the conductor for a time t, we can say the total work done by the charge is
We define this as electrical energy. So, we can say,
Electrical Energy Definition
Electrical energy is the work done by electric charge. If current i ampere flows through a conductor or through any other conductive element of potential difference v volts across it, for time t second, the electric energy is,
Electrical Energy Formula
The expression of electric power is
The electrical energy is
Unit of Electrical Energy
The basic unit of electrical energy is the joule, which equals one watt multiplied by one second. Commercially, we use other units like watt-hours, kilowatt-hours, and megawatt-hours.
Watt Hours
If one watt power is being consumed for 1 hour time, the energy consumed is one watt-hour.
BOT Unit or Board of Trade Unit or Kwh
The practical, as well as a commercial unit of electrical energy, is kilowatt hour. The fundamental commercial unit is watt-hour and one kilowatt hour implies 1000 watt hours. The electrical supply companies take electric energy charges from their consumer per kilowatt hour unit basis. This kilowatt hour is board of trade unit that is BOT unit.
