Volts multiplied by amps multiplied by cosθ equals what?

When volts are multiplied by amps and then multiplied by the cosine of the phase angle (θ), the result is true power, also known as active power. True power is measured in watts and represents the actual power consumed by an electrical circuit to perform useful work. This relationship is essential in AC (alternating current) circuits where the current and voltage may not be perfectly in phase due to the presence of inductance or capacitance.

The cosine of the phase angle (cosθ) is known as the power factor, which accounts for the difference in phase between the current and voltage. By including this factor in the calculation, you're determining how much of the total power (volt-amps) is actually usable power, as opposed to the total apparent power which might not entirely contribute to useful work.

Understanding this relationship is vital for electrical system design and energy efficiency, as it allows you to differentiate between the total power supplied and the power that is actually useful for running devices.