Re: electrical power

["John S. Denker" <jsd@MONMOUTH.COM>]

Justin Parke wrote:
> Does anyone have any notes written
> about the distinction between P=VI and P=I^2R?

In an ohmic situation, there is no distinction.

In a non-ohmic situation, P=VI is exact and
I2^R has no physical significance.

> I understand that the latter refers to
> "joule heating loss" but I don't feel clear as to why.

P=IV is the Joule heating.

Anything else is an approximation at best.