Final answer:
Power is produced when current flows through a component with resistance, as energy is converted into other forms like heat. The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance is described by Ohm's Law, and power is calculated with the equation P = IV.
Step-by-step explanation:
Power is produced when current flows through any load or component that has resistance. This is because electrical power is the rate at which energy is used or converted, and when a current passes through a resistor, energy is dissipated in the form of heat, light, or other forms of energy. According to Ohm's Law, the current (I) flowing through a substance is directly proportional to the voltage (V) applied to it, and inversely proportional to the resistance (R). Thus, by combining Ohm's law with the equation P = IV for electric power, we can get expressions for power in terms of voltage and resistance or current and resistance.
Devices like batteries, generators, and wall outlets, create a potential difference referred to as voltage sources. When a voltage source is connected to a conductor, it applies a potential difference that creates an electric field, exerting force on charges and causing current to flow. The physical characteristic of a circuit that determines how much power it dissipates is its resistance, and resistors are components within the circuit that resist the flow of charges, thereby converting electrical energy into other forms.