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Power

The rate that energy is transferred or work is done.

  1. Mechanical Power

  2. Efficiency

  3. Power

Anchor 1

1. Mechanical Power

The rate of energy transfer is sometimes more useful to consider than the total energy transferred. Not only is P = E/t but it can also be written as P = Fv.

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Anchor 2

2. Efficiency

Although we often assume 100% of the energy is transferred from one form to another this is not always the case. When energy is lost from the system (perhaps as thermal energy) then its efficiency decreases.

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Anchor 3

3. Power

This is how we define power, as well as a couple of simple examples using the formula P=W/t.

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How to Derive:

(Worksheets and solutions)

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