The physical world of science is based on several factors that are further categorized under different subheadings and topics. With the mechanical work concerning humans and machines; power and energy play a significant role. From Lifting of a box to the glowing of a lamp, energy and power have their respective roles. However, most of the people misunderstand or misinterpret the usability of both these SI measurements. The units and sub-units of these physical quantities are also used in the wrong pattern.
In this article you will get a clear concept about power and energy, their differences, and even how they are related.
A clear concept about Energy
In simple terms, energy is the capacity required to perform work. There several forms of energy existing in this physical world. Kinetic, potential, chemical, nuclear, mechanical, frictional, electrical energy are a few kinds of it.
The raw form of energy is heat and work. To elaborate, when you undergo an action, the body generates heat, and that acts as a driving force to complete the task. This energy in the form of heat passes down from one body to another and gets converted to suit according to that body. For instance, the kinetic energy of the waterfall transforms into electrical energy that runs turbines.
The electrical energy supply at home converts into mechanical energy that runs the fan motor.
The mechanical energy generated by the running of the coil of transformer converts into electrical energy generates electricity.
A clear concept about Power
Power is defined as a capacity to perform work in a given interval of time. Power plays a vital role while performing a task in a given time. High-power machines reduce the period of the work while low-powered requires more time.
Force can also be expressed in terms of power. The force applied on a body when multiplied with speed used on the same entity then it gives an equation of energy.
As per the International System of Units (SI), the standardized unit of power is Newton per second that is known as Watt, denoted by W.
For instance, after charging, batteries get discharged at 3KW.
However, the power consumed or used in the mechanical world is more powerful and higher in value. The standardized measurement unit is horsepower (hp).
Difference between power and energy
|Power is the measurement of energy in a definite time interval.||Energy is an ability that makes an individual do a work.|
|Energy is what is required to deliver.||The rate of deliver is power.|
|Power is the strength a person can invest into a task.||Energy what that helps the person to sustain the power they possess.|
|Power cannot be stored.||Energy can be easily stored and applied.|
How are power and energy related?
By now, you know the standard definition and units of both power and energy. There is a mathematical explanation showcasing the relationship between power and strength.
Energy = Power x Time
In unit time, the energy expenditure of the body is equal to the power required to perform it.
Therefore, when an appliance shows 1W as rating that means the device can transform 1 J of one form of energy into any other way.
In real-world affairs, the standardized unit to express energy is Joule. But in large industries and also in relation to domestic applications, a bigger unit is required and they are watt-hour and kilowatt-hour.
Kilowatt-hour is referred to as the quantity of energy that can be converted by a thousand-watt appliance when it is operated for an hour.
Is horsepower electrical energy?
Horsepower is a bigger unit of power than watt-hour. In the automobile industry, especially in the racing world, faster power is required for mass-energy. Horsepower is a significant quantity that expresses the expansion rate of mechanical energy.
Approximately, 1 horsepower = 746 W or .746 kW.
The power present in the outer shaft of an engine, also present in turbines and motorbikes is known as shaft horsepower. There is a comparative reduction in the value of shaft horsepower than indicative horsepower due to loss of energy through friction and wear and tear.
Horsepower is mechanical energy. The application of horsepower is mostly in high performing engines and machines. However, a particular device might use the horsepower to convert the mechanical energy of it to generate electrical or any other form of energy. Therefore, it can be justified that horsepower is mechanical energy rather than electrical energy.
Hope you have clearly understood the basic definition of energy and power as well as their units. The differences in energy and power will help you understand the application of each quantity at the right place. The point to remember is that though power and energy are two different physical quantities, each one of them is inter-related. In this world of physics, everything is connected.