The power or heat loss in a conductor can be calculated using which formula?

The formula used to calculate power or heat loss in a conductor is P = I²R. This relationship highlights that power (P) dissipated as heat in a resistor is directly proportional to the square of the current (I) flowing through it and the resistance (R) of the conductor.

When current flows through a conductor, it encounters resistance, which generates heat due to collisions between the moving electrons and the atoms in the material. The more current that is present, the greater the number of collisions, leading to a significant increase in heat generated with higher current levels due to the square of the current in the formula.

This principle is crucial in electrical engineering and circuit design because it helps identify how much heat can be produced in components, informing decisions about materials and sizing to prevent overheating and potential failures.