Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What is described by the rate at which work is done?

1. Energy

2. Force

3. Power

4. Mass

The correct answer is: Power

Power is defined as the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred over time. It describes how quickly work is being performed or how fast energy is being converted from one form to another. In physical terms, power can be measured in watts, where one watt is equivalent to one joule of work done per second. This concept is critical in various fields, including physics and engineering, as it helps to quantify efficiency and performance. In this context, energy refers to the capacity to do work but doesn't specifically address the rate at which that work occurs. Force pertains to the interaction that causes an object to change its motion, measured in units like newtons, and does not describe the rate of work. Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in an object and does not relate to work or power directly. Hence, the option that accurately characterizes the rate of doing work is power.