What does power measure in terms of work?

Power measures the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred over a specific period of time. It quantifies how quickly work is performed, thus providing an understanding of energy usage and conversion in various systems. When a device or system has a high power output, it can complete more work in a shorter time frame compared to a device with lower power output.

In practical terms, power can be calculated using the formula: ( \text{Power} = \frac{\text{Work}}{\text{Time}} ). This formula highlights the connection between work, time, and power, making it clear that power is fundamentally about how work is distributed over time, rather than merely the total amount of work done or the efficiency of a device.