Work and Power – Lesson Summary

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Learning Objective

In this lesson we will learn what the terms ‘work’ and ‘power’ mean in physics and how they can be calculated.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Define ‘work’ and state the units for measuring work.
  • Define ‘power’ and state the units for measuring power.
  • Use the work formula to calculate work, force and distance.
  • Use the power formula to calculate power, work and time.
  • Combine the formulas for work and power to calculate power, force, distance and time.

 
work and power lesson contents

(Image: Ron Gilfillan, Wikimedia Commons)

Lesson Topics

1 | Work

2 | Power

3 | Combining the Formulas for Work and Power

4 | Summary

Lesson Summary

  • Work is a measure of the transfer of energy to an object when a force is applied to that object over a certain distance.
  • Work can be calculated using the formula:
  • calculating work formula summary
  • Work is measured in joules (J).
  • Power is a measure of the rate at which work is done.
  • Power can be calculated using the formula:
  • calculating power formula summary
  • Power is measured in watts (W).
  • Substituting the formula for work into the formula for power gives another formula for calculating power:
  • calculating power formula summary

 
 
crane power work

(Image: bernswaelz, Pixabay)

(Header image: Hannes, Adobe Stock)