Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
If a machine does 500┬аJ of work in 4┬аseconds, what is its power output?
250 watt
2000 watt
125 watt
8000 watt
125 watt
Power is defined as the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. To calculate the power output, we divide the total work done by the time taken to complete that work.
Power is defined as the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. To calculate the power output, we divide the total work done by the time taken to complete that work.
If two people climb the same set of stairs, the one who reaches the top faster is said to have higher power because they are doing the same amount of work in less time.
P=tWтАЛ тАФ Definition of power as work done per unit time
1┬аW=1┬аJ/s тАФ Definition of the watt unit
The concept of power is governed by the physical formula P=tWтАЛ, where P is power in watts (W), W is work in joules (J), and t is time in seconds (s). Since the machine performs 500 J of work over 4 seconds, the power is calculated as P=4500тАЛ=125 W.
The SI unit of power is the Watt (W), which is equivalent to Joules per second (J/s).
Power measures how quickly energy is converted or work is performed.
A machine that does more work in the same time is more powerful.
Rating electrical appliances like bulbs and motors.
Measuring the engine output of vehicles in horsepower or kilowatts.
The calculation is 500├╖4=125.
Option A (250 watt) is incorrect as it assumes a division by 2.
Option B (2000 watt) is incorrect as it results from multiplication (500├Ч4).
C is correct тАФ Dividing the work done (500 J) by the time taken (4 s) yields a power output of 125 watts.
Always check units before dividing; if time were given in minutes, you would first convert it to seconds to get the power in Watts.