Question

a 1,200 watt water heater is plugged into a 120 volt outlet and used for 1.5 hours. How much current runs through the water heater

Answer 1

The measure of the current running through the heater is: 10 Amps

Explanation:

Since power (which is measured in watts) is defined as the product of the voltage applied times the current that runs the device, we can use this formula to solve for the unknown current (I) in the problem. Also since the units of power given are "watts", and the voltage is given in "volts", the current will also result in SI units, that is Amperes (Amps):

`Power = Voltage \,*\, Current\\1200 = 120\,*\,I\\I=1200/120\, Amps\\I=10 \,Amps`