Joule Heating Calculator
Calculate how much heat energy is generated when an electric current flows through a resistance for a given time.
What This Calculator Does
When electric current flows through a resistor, electrical energy is converted into heat. This is known as Joule heating (or resistive heating), and it’s the operating principle behind heaters, toasters, incandescent bulbs, and fuses.
The Formula
Joule’s law states that heat energy Q = I² × R × t, where I is current in amps, R is resistance in ohms, and t is time in seconds. The result is given in joules, and also converted to calories and kilowatt-hours for convenience.
Note: This calculation assumes all electrical energy is converted to heat with no other losses, which is a good approximation for simple resistive circuits used in general engineering and educational contexts.