Power¶

  • Time rate at which work is done

The average power

\[ P_{\text{av}} = \frac{\Delta w}{\Delta t} \]
  • \(\Delta w\) is the average quantity of work done

  • \(\Delta t\) is the time interval

Units of Power¶

\[ \text{Wat} = \frac{\text{Joule}}{\text{second}} \]

Instantaneous power¶

\[ P = \lim_{\Delta t \rightarrow 0} \frac{\Delta w}{\Delta t} \]

If forces act on a moving object, we can express the corresponding power in terms of force and velocity:

\[ P_{\text{av}} = \frac{F_{\parallel} \Delta s}{\Delta t} = F_{\parallel} v_{\text{av}} \]
  • \(\Delta s\) is the magnitude of displacement \(\Delta \vec{s}\)

Int the limit we get the instantaneous work:

\[ P = F_{\parallel} v \]