Power is defined as which of the following?

Power is defined as which of the following?

• A. Mass x acceleration
• B. Force x distance
• C. Force x velocity
• D. Torque x time

Answer: (C)

Power is the rate at which energy is transferred or work is performed. For a body moving under the influence of a force, instantaneous power equals the force component in the direction of motion multiplied by the velocity: P = F · v. In simple terms, pushing harder or moving faster increases power; if the force is perpendicular to motion, no work is done and power is zero. This aligns with the unit watts, where 1 watt equals 1 joule per second. Mass times acceleration describes force (not power). Force times distance gives work (energy transfer), not power. Torque times time relates to angular impulse, not power.

Power is the rate at which energy is transferred or work is performed. For a body moving under the influence of a force, instantaneous power equals the force component in the direction of motion multiplied by the velocity: P = F · v. In simple terms, pushing harder or moving faster increases power; if the force is perpendicular to motion, no work is done and power is zero. This aligns with the unit watts, where 1 watt equals 1 joule per second.

Mass times acceleration describes force (not power). Force times distance gives work (energy transfer), not power. Torque times time relates to angular impulse, not power.