Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Power refers to the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. It measures how quickly a task can be completed or how fast energy is being used.
Related terms
Work (W): Work is the transfer of energy that occurs when a force acts on an object and causes it to move in the direction of the force.
Energy (E): Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. It exists in different forms such as kinetic, potential, and thermal energy.
Efficiency measures how effectively input energy is converted into useful output energy. It's like measuring how much of your effort actually contributes to completing a task.