3.4.1.7
Power is the rate of doing work
Work, Energy & Power — AQA A-Level Physics
Key Definition
Power — The rate of energy transfer or the rate of doing work. Unit: watt (W). 1 W = 1 J s^-1.
$$\begin{aligned}
P &= IV \\
&= \(I^{2}\)R \\
&= \frac{\(V^{2}\)}{R}
\end{aligned}$$
$$P = \frac{\Delta W}{\Delta t}$$
- $P$: powerThe rate of energy transfer. Measured in watts (W). (W)
- $ΔW$: work doneEnergy transferred when a force moves an object. In electrical circuits, W = QV (chargeA property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electromagnetic field. Measured in coulombs (C). times potential difference). (J)
- $Δt$: time taken (s)
- Higher powerThe rate of energy transfer. Measured in watts (W). means more energyThe capacity to do work. Measured in joules (J). transferred per second.
- PowerThe rate of energy transfer. Measured in watts (W). increases if more work is done or if the same work is done in less time.
$$P = Fv$$
- $P$: power (W)
- $F$: force in direction of velocityThe rate of change of displacement. A vector quantity. Measured in m s⁻¹. (N)
- $v$: velocityThe rate of change of displacement. A vector quantity. Measured in m s⁻¹. (m s⁻¹)
- $P = Fv applies$ when an object moves at constant velocityThe rate of change of displacement. A vector quantity. Measured in m s⁻¹. with a constant driving force.
- If the force is at an angle to the velocity, use the component of force parallel to the velocity.