How is power different from energy?

Power is the rate at which energy is transferred or converted, while energy is the capacity to do work.

In physics, power and energy are two distinct but related concepts. Energy is a fundamental concept that represents the capacity to do work. It can exist in various forms such as kinetic, potential, thermal, electrical, chemical, nuclear, and more. Energy can be transferred between objects or converted from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed, as stated by the law of conservation of energy.

On the other hand, power is a measure of how quickly energy is transferred or converted. It is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. In other words, power is the amount of energy transferred or converted per unit time. The unit of power in the International System of Units (SI) is the watt, which is equal to one joule per second.

To illustrate the difference, consider a car climbing a hill. The energy required to climb the hill depends on the weight of the car and the height of the hill, among other factors. This energy can be supplied at different rates. If the car climbs the hill quickly, it uses a large amount of power because it is transferring a large amount of energy in a short time. If the car climbs the hill slowly, it uses less power because it is transferring the same amount of energy but over a longer time.

In summary, while energy is a measure of the capacity to do work, power is a measure of how quickly this work is done. Understanding the difference between these two concepts is crucial in physics, as it allows us to analyse how energy is transferred and converted in different systems and processes.