Lesson: Power as the Rate of Work Mathematics

Start Practising

In this lesson, we will learn how to define the power of a force as the derivative of the work done by the force.

Lesson Plan

Students will be able to

understand that power is the time derivative of work,
distinguish between instantaneous power and average power,
calculate the power of a force by taking the time derivative of work,
calculate the power of a force by taking the time derivative of the scalar (dot) product of force and displacement,
calculate the amount of work done over a period of time by taking the definite integral of power.