Arizona State Board Nail Technology Practice Exam

What term measures the amount of electricity consumed by a lamp?

1. Voltage

2. Wattage

3. Current

4. Resistance

The correct answer is: Wattage

Wattage is the correct term used to measure the amount of electricity consumed by a lamp. It indicates how much electrical power the lamp uses when it is in operation. This measurement reflects the product of the voltage (the electrical potential) and the current (the flow of electricity) in the circuit, essentially quantifying the energy consumption over time. By understanding wattage, one can determine the efficiency and energy cost of operating the lamp. For example, a lamp with a higher wattage consumes more electricity and can contribute to higher energy bills, whereas a lower wattage typically indicates a more energy-efficient light source. In the context of the other terms, voltage refers to the potential difference in the electric circuit, current denotes the flow of electric charge, and resistance measures how much a material opposes the flow of electric current. While all these concepts are interconnected within electrical systems, wattage specifically pertains to the total power consumed by appliances like lamps.