Science Common Sense

1645 - What is the relationship between work and power

Imagine you're pushing a heavy box across the floor.

Work is the "effort" you put into moving the box. If the box is heavier or you move it farther, you do more work.

Power, on the other hand, is how fast you can do the work. If you move the same heavy box quickly, you're using more power. If you take a long time to move it, you're using less power.

In short, work is the effort, and power is the speed at which you do the work.

Example: Lifting a heavy book to a high shelf is work. If you lift it quickly, you use more power. If you lift it slowly, you use less power.