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Electric power

Definition

Electric power refers to the rate at which electrical energy is transferred or consumed in an electrical system. It measures how quickly work can be done or energy can be transformed within circuits.

Analogy

Imagine electric power as water flowing down from a waterfall. The power of the waterfall is determined by how much water flows per unit of time, just like electric power is determined by the rate at which electrical energy is transferred.

Related terms

Watt: Watt is the unit used to measure electric power. It represents one joule of energy transferred per second.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh): Kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy commonly used to measure electricity consumption over time. It represents the amount of energy consumed when using one kilowatt for one hour.

Efficiency: Efficiency measures how effectively electrical energy is converted into useful work or output in a system, often expressed as a percentage.

"Electric power" appears in:

Subjects (1)

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.