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 is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred in a circuit. It is measured in watts (W) and can be calculated by multiplying voltage and current.
Related terms
Energy: Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. In an electrical circuit, power represents how quickly energy is being transferred.
Efficiency: Efficiency measures how effectively a device or system converts input energy into useful output energy. It is calculated by dividing the useful output power by the input power.
A series circuit is a type of circuit where components are connected one after another along a single path. The same current flows through each component, and the total resistance equals the sum of individual resistances.