Power — GCSE Physics Revision
Revise Power for GCSE Physics. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to EfficiencyWhat is Power?
Power is the rate at which work is done, or the rate at which energy is transferred. It is measured in Watts (W), where 1 Watt is equal to 1 Joule of energy transferred per second. A more powerful machine can do the same amount of work in less time.
Board notes: Covered by all major boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) at both Foundation and Higher tiers.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
A crane lifts a 500N weight by 10m in 20s. Calculate the power of the crane. Solution: First, calculate the work done: Work Done = Force x Distance = 500N x 10m = 5000J. Then, calculate the power: Power = Work Done / Time = 5000J / 20s = 250W.
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Common mistakes
- 1Confusing power with energy or work done. Power is the rate of energy transfer, not the amount of energy.
- 2Using the wrong units. Power is in Watts (W), work done in Joules (J), and time in seconds (s). Forgetting to convert time to seconds is a common error.
- 3Thinking that a high power rating always means a device is better. A high power rating means it uses energy more quickly, which may not always be desirable.
Power exam questions
Exam-style questions for Power with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Power
Core concept
Power is the rate at which work is done, or the rate at which energy is transferred. It is measured in Watts (W), where 1 Watt is equal to 1 Joule of energy transferred per second. A more powerful mac…
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between power and energy?
Energy is the ability to do work, measured in Joules. Power is the rate at which energy is used or transferred, measured in Watts (Joules per second).
How do you calculate power?
Power can be calculated using the formula: Power (W) = Work Done (J) / Time (s).