Power is a fundamental concept in physics that measures the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. It is an essential component in various fields, from understanding the performance of machines to evaluating the efficiency of human activities. In simple terms, power can be defined as the amount of work done or energy transferred per unit time.
Power (P) can be calculated using the formula: P = W/t, where W represents the amount of work done and t represents the time taken to do that work. The SI unit of power is the watt (W), named after the Scottish engineer James Watt, who made significant contributions to the development of the steam engine.
Let's take a look at a few examples to understand power calculation better.