Power
Reference from the original Physics I textbook.
- Power
Power is the rate of energy transfer or of doing work: P = dW/dt. Average power over an interval is P_avg = ΔW/Δt.
- Related Glossary Terms
- Index
Reviewed physics notes (1)
These corrections keep the original lesson’s purpose while fixing errors in the source edition.
- Power is a rate rather than “the use of work.” — Reference 1
Glossary and deeper reading · 1 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Mechanical work
Mechanical work is energy transferred by a force through displacement of its point of application. For a constant force on a particle, it depends on the force component along the particle’s displacement, and it can be positive, negative, or zero. For example, a magnetic force perpendicular to a particle’s displacement does zero work on that particle.