What is the Difference Between Power and Work?

The difference between power and work lies in their definitions and units. Here are the key distinctions:

Work:

• Work is the energy required to apply a force to move an object a particular distance.
• It is defined as the product of force and displacement.
• The SI unit of work is the Joule (J).
• Work can be calculated using the formula: $$W = F \times d$$, where $$W$$ is the work, $$F$$ is the force, and $$d$$ is the distance in the direction of the force.

Power:

• Power is the rate at which work is done.
• It is the amount of energy consumed per unit of time.
• The SI unit of power is the Watt (W).
• Power can be calculated using the formula: $$P = \frac{W}{t}$$, where $$P$$ is the power, $$W$$ is the work done, and $$t$$ is the time taken.

In summary, work is the energy needed to move an object a certain distance, while power is the rate at which that work is done. Work is a scalar quantity and is measured in Joules, whereas power is also a scalar quantity and is measured in Watts, which represents Joules per second.

Comparative Table: Power vs Work

The difference between power and work can be understood through the following table:

In summary, work is the energy transferred when a force is applied to move an object a certain distance, while power is the rate at which that work is done. Work is a scalar quantity, and its SI unit is the Joule (J). On the other hand, power is also a scalar quantity, with its SI unit being the Watt (W). The formula for calculating work is Work = Force × Displacement, while the formula for calculating power is Power = Work/Time.