CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

How is electrical power measured?

1. By calculating voltage divided by current

2. By determining the rate of electron movement

3. By multiplying volts and amps

4. By assessing the resistance of the circuit

The correct answer is: By multiplying volts and amps

Electrical power is measured by multiplying volts and amps, which reflects the relationship established by Ohm's Law. Power (measured in watts) is the product of voltage (the potential difference) and current (the flow of electric charge). This relationship is fundamental in electrical engineering and provides a clear expression of how much energy is being used or transmitted in a circuit over time. The units involved further clarify this measurement: when voltage is measured in volts and current in amperes, the resulting product gives power in watts. This is critical for understanding how electrical devices consume power, as it helps in calculating energy costs and ensuring that circuits are designed to handle the necessary loads without overloading. Other concepts, while related to electricity, do not directly measure power. For instance, calculating voltage divided by current yields resistance, not power. Determining the rate of electron movement relates to current but does not directly quantify power consumption. Assessing the resistance of a circuit helps in understanding how difficult it is for electricity to flow but does not provide a measurement of power itself. Thus, multiplying volts and amps is the correct method to directly measure electrical power.