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Science / Electronics basics / Grade 8 / se8w4

Energy Notebook: Unequal Intervals

Account for each interval before finding an average for the whole run.

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Watch the lesson | Review the equal-interval notebook

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Convert mA to A before P = V x I. For each constant-power interval use E = P x t, then add energies and durations for the successive run. Average power is total energy divided by total time, not the sum of powers or an unweighted average when durations differ. The declared ideal readings do not establish temperatures or safe equipment. No real circuit or waiting is needed.

Worked example

A separate example has 1 W for 3 seconds, then 2 W for 1 second. It transfers 3 J + 2 J = 5 J in 4 seconds, so average power is 5 / 4 = 1.25 W. Neither the sum 3 W nor the unweighted mean 1.5 W describes that full run.

A six-second timeline shows interval A from 0 to 4 seconds at 4 V and 75 mA, then interval B from 4 to 6 seconds at 4 V and 150 mA. The first interval is twice as wide; no power or energy answers are filled in.
Add the energies for these successive intervals, then divide by their combined duration.

Notebook: one run with two successive intervals

Interval A lasts the first 4 seconds: a resistor has 4 V across it and 75 mA through it. Interval B lasts the next 2 seconds: a different resistor setting has 4 V across it and 150 mA through it. Values stay constant within each interval. There is no additional time or energy between them. These are paper records of an ideal model, not a physical experiment.

Question 1 What is the current in amperes during interval A?
Question 2 Which power calculation for interval A is correct?
Question 3 What total energy is transferred in the two successive intervals?
Question 4 What is the average power over the full 6-second run?
Question 5 Does the total energy of 2.4 J alone determine the resistor temperature?