Energy v. Power

2022-09-17

00:00 / 00:00
复读宝 RABC v8.0beta 复读机按钮使用说明
播放/暂停
停止
播放时:倒退3秒/复读时:回退AB段
播放时:快进3秒/复读时:前进AB段
拖动:改变速度/点击:恢复正常速度1.0
拖动改变复读暂停时间
点击:复读最近5秒/拖动:改变复读次数
设置A点
设置B点
取消复读并清除AB点
播放一行
停止播放
后退一行
前进一行
复读一行
复读多行
变速复读一行
变速复读多行
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1
  • Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question from Max in Ukraine about the difference between "energy" and "power."
    • 2
  • Dear Learning English,
    • 3
  • I'm Max from Ukraine.
    • 4
  • I'm improving my English by listening & viewing materials in VOA.
    • 5
  • I have a question about the difference in the meaning of two similar words - energy and power.
    • 6
  • Thank you,
    • 7
  • Max
    • 8
  • Dear Max,
    • 9
  • Thank you for this interesting question.
    • 10
  • These words are commonly used interchangeably, meaning they are used in place of each other.
    • 11
  • But there are important differences in use under some conditions.
    • 12
  • Let's start with how these two words differ in the study of science.
    • 13
  • Energy is the ability to do work or create some kind of physical change.
    • 14
  • For example,
    • 15
  • Energy is used to lift a box.
    • 16
  • The amount of energy to lift the box is the same.
    • 17
  • But what if you can lift the box faster than someone else? This is where the word "power" comes in.
    • 18
  • Power is how fast the work or change is done.
    • 19
  • In the field of physics, power is often measured in watts.
    • 20
  • An energy-saving light bulb will use about 10 to 15 watts of power.
    • 21
  • Energy 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.
    • 22
  • If you have low or no energy, you may feel tired or run down.
    • 23
  • Energy can be temporary.
    • 24
  • You may have a lot of energy in the morning, but by the afternoon you may not have any energy.
    • 25
  • Coffee gives me energy, but it quickly wears off.
    • 26
  • Power as a noun can mean the ability or capacity to do something.
    • 27
  • It can also mean that it is within your means or you have the resources to do something.
    • 28
  • This meaning has an association that power is naturally available.
    • 29
  • I don't have the brain power to finish my homework tonight.
    • 30
  • To have power means that you have control over something.
    • 31
  • If you have power, you have the ability and legal right to do something.
    • 32
  • To "come into power" or "take power" in a country means that a person or group controls it in some way.
    • 33
  • King Charles III took on the powers of the British monarchy after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II died.
    • 34
  • We can also use "power" to talk about energy resources like nuclear and electricity.
    • 35
  • Nuclear power is environmentally friendly.
    • 36
  • Power can also be a verb meaning to provide energy to make something operate.
    • 37
  • Batteries power our smart devices like cell phones.
    • 38
  • Please let us know if these examples have helped you, Max!
    • 39
  • What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
    • 40
  • And that's Ask a Teacher.
    • 41
  • I'm Faith Pirlo.