Final answer:
To calculate the current a 60-watt light bulb draws at 120 volts, use the formula I = P/V, resulting in a current of 0.5 amperes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a 60-watt light bulb is operated at 120 volts, the amount of current it draws can be calculated using the formula for electric power, which relates power (P), voltage (V), and current (I). The formula P = VI gives us the relationship between these quantities. To find the current, we rearrange the formula to solve for I, resulting in I = P / V.
Plugging in the values, we have:
- Power (P): 60 watts
- Voltage (V): 120 volts
Using the calculation I = 60 W / 120 V, we find the current (I) to be 0.5 amperes (A). This means that the 60-watt bulb draws 0.5 A when operating at 120 volts.