Contextualization

Electric power is a quantity that plays a fundamental role in our lives, but often we are not aware of it. Basically, it is the amount of energy that a device can transform per unit of time. Knowing how to calculate electric power is essential, as it is through it that we can determine how much energy a device consumes and, consequently, contribute to conscious energy use and savings.

This project will address the concept of electric power and the importance of understanding it for our daily routine, focusing on the energy consumption of household appliances. This theme is of great relevance, considering that energy consumption is directly related to the amount charged on the electricity bill and to sustainability, given that energy generation can have significant environmental impacts.

Introduction

Electric power is the rate of transformation of electrical energy into another form of energy by a device, that is, it shows the amount of energy transformed per second. It is measured in Watts (W) and its unit comes from the equation P = E/t, where P is power, E is the transformed energy, and t is time.

It is interesting to note that the power of a device can vary considerably. For example, a 10W LED bulb consumes much less energy than a 1200W air conditioner, which means that the bulb transforms less electrical energy into light per second than the air conditioner transforms into heat.

Being aware of the power of our household appliances and knowing how to calculate their consumption can bring benefits. Not only will it be possible to save on the electricity bill, but we will also contribute to sustainability, as we will know which devices consume more and can use them more efficiently.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Energy Detectives"

Project Objective:

This project aims to apply the concepts of electric power in practice, investigating and calculating the consumption of the most used electrical appliances in their homes and at school. In addition, it is necessary to understand how to save energy and promote sustainability through a rational use plan of these devices.

Detailed Project Description:

The groups (composed of 3 to 5 students) should investigate the power of different appliances in their homes and at school. Then, they should calculate the energy consumed by these appliances over a period of time and, finally, propose an action plan to reduce the energy consumption of these appliances.

Required Materials:

1. List of electrical appliances to be analyzed.
2. Camera or cell phone to record the appliance data (usually found on a label on the appliance itself).
3. Pencil and paper for notes.
4. Calculator.

Activity Steps:

1. Investigation:

   Before starting the practical part, the groups must research the concepts of electric power, energy, and energy efficiency. This knowledge will be essential to perform the following tasks.

2. Appliance Analysis:

   Each group must choose at least 5 different appliances in their homes and 5 at school to analyze. These appliances should be photographed, and the power information (usually available on a label on the appliance) should be noted.

3. Calculation of energy consumption:

   For each of the chosen appliances, the groups must calculate the energy consumption for a week, assuming that these appliances are used for 2 hours per day.

4. Action plan to reduce energy consumption:

   Based on the calculated energy consumption, the groups must develop an action plan suggesting ways to reduce the consumption of these appliances. This plan should consider not only turning off the appliances but also the possibility of replacing them with more efficient options.

5. Activity Report:

   At the end of the practical activity, each group must write a detailed report, with the following sections:

   • Introduction: Here, the students must contextualize the theme of electric power, its relevance and application in the real world, as well as the objective of this project.

   • Development: In this section, the group must explain the theory behind electric power, detail the methodology used in the practical activity, and present the results obtained. This is the moment to show the calculations made, the photos taken, and the data collected.

   • Conclusion: The group must highlight the main learnings obtained from the project and the solutions proposed to reduce energy consumption. It is important to emphasize, in addition to the concrete results, the skills developed such as teamwork, planning, and social responsibility.

   • Bibliography: List all books, websites, videos, and other sources consulted for the project.

The project lasts for one month, and each student must invest between 5 to 10 hours in this period to carry out the tasks and prepare the report.