Analysis: Work and power
We’ve dealt with the engineer’s understanding of a force. Now we’ll deal with the engineer’s understanding of power.
It was in 1687 that Newton gave us equilibrium. A century later James Watt gave us the horsepower – he needed to be able to tell customers how much work his improved steam engines could do. Here we’ll use the SI unit of power – the Watt.
The Watt tells us how much work is done in a given time. So we’ll start by defining work and then move on to power.
Talking points
- It is said that Engineering gets really interesting when power is involved. What do you think? What examples can you share?
Through Engineers' Eyes: Engineering Mechanics by Experiment, Analysis and Design
Through Engineers' Eyes: Engineering Mechanics by Experiment, Analysis and Design
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