Physics Power Calculator
Calculate average power from work and elapsed time.
Formula
Average power P = work / time.
What Is Power in Physics?
Power measures how quickly work is done or energy is transferred. Average power is calculated by dividing work or energy by elapsed time. One watt equals one joule per second.
Example Calculation
If a machine performs 3,000 J of work in 15 seconds, its average power is 3,000 / 15 = 200 W.
Factors and Interpretation
For the same amount of work, completing the task in less time requires more power. For a fixed time, transferring more energy produces a higher power value. This calculator reports average power over the entered interval, not instantaneous power that may vary moment by moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a watt?
One watt is one joule of energy transferred per second.
Is power the same as energy?
No. Energy is an amount; power is the rate at which energy is transferred.
Can average power be different from peak power?
Yes. Peak or instantaneous power can be much higher than the average over a longer interval.
Related Tools
Formula and Practical Limits
Power is the rate of doing work: P = W/t. Equal amounts of work can require different power when completed over different times, and real machines can lose energy through inefficiency.