Final answer:
Power is the rate at which work is done and is calculated using the formula P = W/t, where P is power, W is work done, and t is time. The unit for measuring power is the watt (W).
Step-by-step explanation:
Power is a measure of how much work has been done over a certain period of time. It is defined as the rate at which work is completed. The equation for calculating average power (P) is the work done (W) divided by the time (t) taken to do the work, expressed as P = W/t. In terms of units, power is measured in watts (W), where 1 watt is equal to 1 joule per second (1 W = 1 J/s). This concept is integral in physics, particularly in understanding the efficiency and performance of various systems and machines.
To further elaborate, when a force acts upon an object and causes it to be displaced, the work done can be observed. The instantaneous rate at which this work is done is known as instantaneous power. In practical terms, power can help us understand how quickly a machine operates or the effectiveness of an individual's work where work output (Wout) divided by the energy input (Ein) defines the efficiency (Eff) of the system.