# Work vs. Power

Main Difference

The main difference between Work and Power is that Work is the total amount of energy required to move an object from one place by exerting external force, and its SI unit is Joule, whereas Power is the rate of doing work and its SI unit is Watt.

## Difference Between Work and Power

#### Work vs. Power

Work is the amount of force required to move an object by applying outside force, while power is the degree at which work is done.

#### Work vs. Power

Joule (J) is the SI unit of work, whereas Watt (W) is the SI unit of power.

#### Work vs. Power

The work is denoted by the formula W = F.S; conversely, power is indicated by formula P = W/t.

#### Work vs. Power

The other units of work are kWh, MWh, GWh, Electron volt (eV), while other units of power are kW, MW, GW, horsepower (hp).

#### Work vs. Power

The symbol of work is (W); on the flip side, the symbol of power is (P).

#### Work vs. Power

The relationship between work and energy can be defined as work done on a body is equal to the variation in kinetic energy (KE). Whereas, the relationship between power and energy can be explained as the multiplication of power with time can give energy; similarly, the division of energy by time provides power.

#### Work vs. Power

The relationship between work and energy is expressed as W=ΔKE or, W=Ki−Kf where W = work done, Ki= initial Kinetic Energy, Kf = Final Kinetic Energy, and ΔK = difference in Kinetic Energy; on the other hand, the relationship between power and energy is expressed as P = E/t.

#### Work vs. Power

The SI Base unit of work is denoted as Kgm²s -² conversely, Kgm²s -³ is the base unit of power.

Employment.

#### Powernoun

(social) Ability to coerce, influence or control.

#### Worknoun

Labour, occupation, job.

My work involves a lot of travel.

#### Powernoun

(countable) Ability to affect or influence.

#### Worknoun

The place where one is employed.

He hasn’t come home yet, he’s still at work.

#### Powernoun

Control or coercion, particularly legal or political (jurisdiction).

One's employer

#### Powernoun

(metonymy) (chiefly in the plural) The people in charge of legal or political power, the government.

Effort.

#### Powernoun

(metonymy) An influential nation, company, or other such body.

#### Worknoun

Effort expended on a particular task.

Holding a brick over your head is hard work. It takes a lot of work to write a dictionary.

Effectiveness.

#### Worknoun

Sustained human effort to overcome obstacles and achieve a result.

We know what we must do. Let's go to work.

#### Powernoun

Physical force or strength.

He needed a lot of power to hit the ball out of the stadium.

#### Worknoun

Something on which effort is expended.

There's lots of work waiting for me at the office.

#### Powernoun

Electricity or a supply of electricity.

After the pylons collapsed, this town was without power for a few days.

#### Worknoun

(physics) A measure of energy expended in moving an object; most commonly, force times distance. No work is done if the object does not move.

Work is done against friction to drag a bag along the ground.

#### Powernoun

A measure of the rate of doing work or transferring energy.

#### Worknoun

A measure of energy that is usefully extracted from a process.

#### Powernoun

The strength by which a lens or mirror magnifies an optical image.

We need a microscope with higher power.

#### Worknoun

Sustained effort to achieve a goal or result, especially overcoming obstacles.

We don't have much time. Let's get to work piling up those sandbags.

#### Powernoun

Any of the elementary forms or parts of machines: three primary (the lever, inclined plane, and pulley) and three secondary (the wheel-and-axle, wedge, and screw).

the mechanical powers

#### Worknoun

(heading) Product; the result of effort.

(mathematics)

#### Worknoun

The result of a particular manner of production.

There's a lot of guesswork involved.

#### Powernoun

A product of equal factors (and generalizations of this notion): $x^n$, read as "$x$ to the power of $n$" or the like, is called a power and denotes the product $x \times x \times \cdots \times x$, where $x$ appears $n$ times in the product; $x$ is called the base and $n$ the exponent.

#### Worknoun

Something produced using the specified material or tool.

We've got some paperwork to do before we can get started. The piece was decorated with intricate filigree work.

#### Powernoun

(set theory) Cardinality.

#### Worknoun

(countable) A literary, artistic, or intellectual production.

It is a work of art.the poetic works of Alexander Pope

#### Powernoun

(statistics) The probability that a statistical test will reject the null hypothesis when the alternative hypothesis is true.

#### Worknoun

(countable) A fortification.

William the Conqueror fortified many castles, throwing up new ramparts, bastions and all manner of works.

#### Powernoun

In Christian angelology, an intermediate level of angels, ranked above archangels, but exact position varies by classification scheme.

#### Worknoun

The staging of events to appear as real.

#### Powerverb

(transitive) To provide power for (a mechanical or electronic device).

#### Worknoun

(mining) Ore before it is dressed.

#### Powerverb

(transitive) To hit or kick something forcefully.

#### Worknoun

The equipment needed to inject a drug (syringes, needles, swabs etc.)

Tell me you're using clean works at least.

#### Powerverb

To enable or provide the impetus for.

#### Workverb

(intransitive) To do a specific task by employing physical or mental powers.

He’s working in a bar.

Impressive.

#### Workverb

Followed by in (or at, etc.) Said of one's workplace (building), or one's department, or one's trade (sphere of business).

I work in a national parkshe works in the human resources departmenthe mostly works in logging, but sometimes works in carpentry

#### Powernoun

possession of controlling influence;

the deterrent power of nuclear weaponsthe power of his love saved herhis powerfulness was concealed by a gentle facade

#### Workverb

Followed by as. Said of one's job title

I work as a cleaner.

#### Powernoun

(physics) the rate of doing work; measured in watts (= joules/second)

#### Workverb

Followed by for. Said of a company or individual who employs.

she works for Microsofthe works for the president

#### Powernoun

possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done;

danger heightened his powers of discrimination

#### Workverb

Followed by with. General use, said of either fellow employees or instruments or clients.

I work closely with my Canadian counterpartsyou work with computersshe works with the homeless people from the suburbs

#### Powernoun

a state powerful enough to influence events throughout the world

#### Workverb

(transitive) To effect by gradual degrees.

he worked his way through the crowdthe dye worked its way throughusing some tweezers, she worked the bee sting out of her hand

#### Powernoun

(of a government or government official) holding an office means being in power;

being in office already gives a candidate a great advantageduring his first year in officeduring his first year in powerthe power of the president

#### Powernoun

one possessing or exercising power or influence or authority;

the mysterious presence of an evil powermay the force be with youthe forces of evil

#### Workverb

(transitive) To set into action.

He worked the levers.

#### Powernoun

physical strength

#### Workverb

(transitive) To cause to ferment.

#### Powernoun

a mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself

#### Workverb

(intransitive) To ferment.

#### Powernoun

a very wealthy or powerful businessman;

an oil baron

#### Workverb

(transitive) To exhaust, by working.

The mine was worked until the last scrap of ore had been extracted.

#### Powerverb

supply the force or power for the functioning of;

The gasoline powers the engines

#### Workverb

(transitive) To shape, form, or improve a material.

He used pliers to work the wire into shape.

#### Workverb

(transitive) To operate in a certain place, area, or speciality.

she works the night clubsthe salesman works the Midwestthis artist works mostly in acrylics

#### Workverb

(transitive) To operate in or through; as, to work the phones.

#### Workverb

(transitive) To provoke or excite; to influence.

The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy.

#### Workverb

(transitive) To use or manipulate to one’s advantage.

She knows how to work the system.

#### Workverb

(transitive) To cause to happen or to occur as a consequence.

I cannot work a miracle.

#### Workverb

(transitive) To cause to work.

He is working his servants hard.

#### Workverb

(intransitive) To function correctly; to act as intended; to achieve the goal designed for.

he pointed at the car and asked, "Does it work"?;he looked at the bottle of pain pills, wondering if they would work;my plan didn’t work

#### Workverb

To influence.

They worked on her to join the group.

#### Workverb

(intransitive) To effect by gradual degrees; as, to work into the earth.

#### Workverb

(intransitive) To move in an agitated manner.

His fingers worked with tension.A ship works in a heavy sea.

#### Workverb

(intransitive) To behave in a certain way when handled

this dough does not work easily;the soft metal works well

#### Workverb

To cause (someone) to feel (something); to do unto somebody (something, whether good or bad).

#### Workverb

To hurt; to ache.

#### Worknoun

activity directed toward making or doing something;

she checked several points needing further work

#### Worknoun

a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing;

it is not regarded as one of his more memorable worksthe symphony was hailed as an ingenious workhe was indebted to the pioneering work of John Deweythe work of an active imaginationerosion is the work of wind or water over time

#### Worknoun

the occupation for which you are paid;

he is looking for employmenta lot of people are out of work

#### Worknoun

applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading);

mastering a second language requires a lot of workno schools offer graduate study in interior design

#### Worknoun

the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it);

he studied the entire Wagnerian oeuvrePicasso's work can be divided into periods

#### Worknoun

a place where work is done;

he arrived at work early today

#### Worknoun

(physics) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force;

work equals force times distance

#### Workverb

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity;

I will work hard to improve my gradesshe worked hard for better living conditions for the poor

#### Workverb

be employed;

Is your husband working again?My wife never workedDo you want to work after the age of 60?She never did any work because she inherited a lot of moneyShe works as a waitress to put herself through college

#### Workverb

have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected;

The voting process doesn't work as well as people thoughtHow does your idea work in practice?This method doesn't workThe breaks of my new car act quicklyThe medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water

#### Workverb

perform as expected when applied;

The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged inDoes this old car still run well?This old radio doesn't work anymore

#### Workverb

shape, form, or improve a material;

work stone into toolsprocess ironwork the metal

#### Workverb

give a work-out to;

Some parents exercise their infantsMy personal trainer works me hardwork one's muscles

#### Workverb

proceed along a path;

work one's way through the crowdmake one's way into the forest

#### Workverb

operate in a certain place, area, or specialty;

She works the night clubsThe salesman works the MidwestThis artist works mostly in acrylics

#### Workverb

proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity;

work your way through every problem or taskShe was working on her second martini when the guests arrivedStart from the bottom and work towards the top

#### Workverb

move in an agitated manner;

His fingers worked with tension

#### Workverb

cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;

I cannot work a miraclewreak havocbring commentsplay a jokeThe rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area

#### Workverb

cause to work;

he is working his servants hard

#### Workverb

prepare for crops;

Work the soilcultivate the land

#### Workverb

behave in a certain way when handled;

This dough does not work easilyThe soft metal works well

#### Workverb

have and exert influence or effect;

The artist's work influenced the young painterShe worked on her friends to support the political candidate

#### Workverb

operate in or through;

Work the phones

#### Workverb

cause to operate or function;

This pilot works the controlsCan you work an electric drill?

#### Workverb

provoke or excite;

The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy

#### Workverb

gratify and charm, usually in order to influence;

the political candidate worked the crowds

#### Workverb

make something, usually for a specific function;

She molded the riceballs carefullyForm cylinders from the doughshape a figureWork the metal into a sword

#### Workverb

move into or onto;

work the raisins into the doughthe student worked a few jokes into his presentationwork the body onto the flatbed truck

#### Workverb

make uniform;

knead doughwork the clay until it is soft

#### Workverb

use or manipulate to one's advantage;

He exploit the new taxation systemShe knows how to work the systemhe works his parents for sympathy

#### Workverb

find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of;

did you solve the problem?Work out your problems with the bossthis unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself outdid you get it?Did you get my meaning?He could not work the math problem

#### Workverb

cause to undergo fermentation;

We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol contentThe vintner worked the wine in big oak vats

#### Workverb

go sour or spoil;

The milk has souredThe wine workedThe cream has turned--we have to throw it out

#### Workverb

arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion;

The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times

## Comparison Chart

 Work Power Work is known as the total amount of energy used to move an object from one place to another with external force. Power is known as the amount of degree at which work is done. Symbol The symbol of work is W. Power is denoted by P. SI Unit The SI Unit of work is Joules (J). The SI unit of power is Watt (W). Equation Work = force × Displacement. Power = Work/Time Other Units Electron volt (eV), kWh, MWh, GWh kW, MW, GW, horsepower (hp) Relationship with Energy W=ΔKE P = E/t SI Base Unit Kgm²s -² Kgm²s -³

### Work vs. Power

Work is the total amount of energy that is used to shift an object from one place to another by applying an outside force, for example: if a carton of books is moved from the lounge into the study room. However, power is the rate at which work is done; for example, if the book carton is moved slowly, it means a less amount of power is applied and will require more time. But if the container is moved fastly, it means more power is needed to do the work quickly.

The System International (SI) unit of work is Joule (J). The symbol of work is denoted by W whereas, the System International (SI) unit of Power is Watt (W), and the symbol of power is denoted by P. The other bigger units of work include one kilojoule = 1000 J = 10 J, 1 mega Joule = 1000 000 J = 10 J and, electron volt (eV). While other bigger units of power counts on 1 Kilowatt = 1000 W = 10³ W, 1 Megawatt = 1000 000 W = 106 W, 1 horsepower = 746 W, and GW.

Work is the outcome of force (F) and displacement (S) in the direction of force thus the equation can be written as (Work done = Force x displacement), or (W = FS) whereas, power is the fraction of work and time (work/time), so the equation is written as (Power = Work done / Time taken) or (P = W / t).

### What is Work?

In the field of physics, work is the force required for the displacement of a body, and it is a scalar quantity with equation W = F*S. If the force applied is constant, the work done will be equal to the scalar product of the external force applied to the body and the displacement that occurs due to that force. The examples from daily life can be the gardener running grass cutter machine through the garden, and an ox pulling a plow in the fields.

Some actions are not considered as work; therefore, to do work, a force is always required on a body, causing its movement. A man is pushing against the wall to do isometric exercise, but the wall cannot be moved, so it doesn’t count as work. According to physics, a ball thrown from the roof of the house hits the ground is considered as work. In this phenomenon, gravity, as a force, is acting on the ball, enables the ball to move in a downward direction.

Joule (J) is the unit of work), it can be stated as the amount required for work is one joule (1J) when a one newton (1N) force is applied to the object to move the object one meter (1m) towards the direction of force, e.g., 1 J = 1 N x 1 m. But it creates confusion with the unit of torque, which is also N.m, making it difficult to decide whether the unit is a torque measurement or a measurement of work.

### What is Power?

In the field of physics, it is the rate at which work is done or the work that is done according to per unit time. According to the System International (SI), the unit of power is Watt (W) that equals Joule per second (1 Js -¹).

Its equation can be written as (Power = Work done / Time taken) or (P = W / t). The SI unit of power is Watt (W), which can be described as the amount of power required is one watt (1W) to do work at the rate of 1 joule per second (1 Js -¹).

In order to extract the working capacity of appliances such as, electric oven, or a generator, a light bulb, a water heater, or a fan, the understanding of power is essential. Energy cannot indicate the working capacity of such appliances because the utilization of energy always relies on time.

As the appliances are constructed in a manner that they work at fixed power, the energy utilization changes (increases) along time, but the power persist continually. Therefore, energy utilization can be simply measured when power is known. Moreover, the power capacity of power stations is denoted in bigger units, e.g., Megawatt.

Power can be of many types, such as electrical, mechanical, and that of a rotating body; Electrical power can be expressed as p=I²R=VI=V²/R, where P=power, I=current, V=voltage. Mechanical power can be expressed as P=F.V where F = force on the object, V = velocity of the object.

Conclusion

The above discussion concludes that both work and power are the terms of physics, but they differ in characteristics as work is the force applied to move n object, and its SI unit is Joule, whereas power is the rate at which work is done, and its SI unit is Watt. The equation of work is expressed as Work = Force × Displacement but, the equation of power as Power = Work/Time.