Energy v. Power
2022-09-17
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1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question from Max in Ukraine about the difference between "energy" and "power."
2Dear Learning English,
3I'm Max from Ukraine.
4I'm improving my English by listening & viewing materials in VOA.
5I have a question about the difference in the meaning of two similar words - energy and power.
6Thank you,
7Max
8Dear Max,
9Thank you for this interesting question.
10These words are commonly used interchangeably, meaning they are used in place of each other.
11But there are important differences in use under some conditions.
12Let's start with how these two words differ in the study of science.
13Energy is the ability to do work or create some kind of physical change.
14For example,
15Energy is used to lift a box.
16The amount of energy to lift the box is the same.
17But what if you can lift the box faster than someone else? This is where the word "power" comes in.
18Power is how fast the work or change is done.
19In the field of physics, power is often measured in watts.
20An energy-saving light bulb will use about 10 to 15 watts of power.
21Energy as a noun can describe the ability to do physical activities; it can be the feeling of life and enthusiasm that you use to complete tasks.
22If you have low or no energy, you may feel tired or run down.
23Energy can be temporary.
24You may have a lot of energy in the morning, but by the afternoon you may not have any energy.
25Coffee gives me energy, but it quickly wears off.
26Power as a noun can mean the ability or capacity to do something.
27It can also mean that it is within your means or you have the resources to do something.
28This meaning has an association that power is naturally available.
29I don't have the brain power to finish my homework tonight.
30To have power means that you have control over something.
31If you have power, you have the ability and legal right to do something.
32To "come into power" or "take power" in a country means that a person or group controls it in some way.
33King Charles III took on the powers of the British monarchy after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II died.
34We can also use "power" to talk about energy resources like nuclear and electricity.
35Nuclear power is environmentally friendly.
36Power can also be a verb meaning to provide energy to make something operate.
37Batteries power our smart devices like cell phones.
38Please let us know if these examples have helped you, Max!
39What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
40And that's Ask a Teacher.
41I'm Faith Pirlo.
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question from Max in Ukraine about the difference between "energy" and "power." 2Question: 3Dear Learning English, 4I'm Max from Ukraine. 5I'm improving my English by listening & viewing materials in VOA. 6I have a question about the difference in the meaning of two similar words - energy and power. 7Thank you, 8Max 9Answer: 10Dear Max, 11Thank you for this interesting question. These words are commonly used interchangeably, meaning they are used in place of each other. 12But there are important differences in use under some conditions. 13Let's start with how these two words differ in the study of science. 14"Energy" and "power" in science 15Energy is the ability to do work or create some kind of physical change. 16For example, 17Energy is used to lift a box. 18The amount of energy to lift the box is the same. But what if you can lift the box faster than someone else? This is where the word "power" comes in. 19Power is how fast the work or change is done. In the field of physics, power is often measured in watts. 20An energy-saving light bulb will use about 10 to 15 watts of power. 21"Energy" in everyday conversation 22Energy as a noun can describe the ability to do physical activities; it can be the feeling of life and enthusiasm that you use to complete tasks. 23If you have low or no energy, you may feel tired or run down. 24Energy can be temporary. You may have a lot of energy in the morning, but by the afternoon you may not have any energy. 25Coffee gives me energy, but it quickly wears off. 26"Power" in everyday conversation 27Power as a noun can mean the ability or capacity to do something. It can also mean that it is within your means or you have the resources to do something. This meaning has an association that power is naturally available. 28I don't have the brain power to finish my homework tonight. 29To have power means that you have control over something. If you have power, you have the ability and legal right to do something. 30To "come into power" or "take power" in a country means that a person or group controls it in some way. 31King Charles III took on the powers of the British monarchy after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II died. 32We can also use "power" to talk about energy resources like nuclear and electricity. 33Nuclear power is environmentally friendly. 34Power can also be a verb meaning to provide energy to make something operate. 35Batteries power our smart devices like cell phones. 36Please let us know if these examples have helped you, Max! 37What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com 38And that's Ask a Teacher. 39I'm Faith Pirlo. 40Faith Pirlo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 41_________________________________________________________________ 42Words in This Story 43watt - n. a unit for measuring power 44light bulb - n. a glass bulb or tube that produces light when it is supplied with electricity 45enthusiasm - n. strong excitement about something 46capacity - n. the largest amount or number that can be held or contained 47Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 48Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.