Scientific Laws & Principles
Intermediate

Joule's Heating Law

The heat generated by an electric current in a conductor is proportional to the square of the current, the resistance and the time.

Formula

Q=I2RtQ = I^2 R t

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Variables

QHeat produced
ICurrent
RResistance
tTime

Example

A toaster's element glows red because Q = I²Rt heats the high-resistance wire.

Did You Know?

Also called the Joule–Lenz law — it is why power lines use high voltage and low current to cut losses.

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