What does "W" represent in electricity?

In electricity, "W" represents power, specifically measured in watts. Power is a fundamental concept that quantifies the rate at which energy is transferred or converted. It is calculated as the product of voltage (V) and current (I), expressed in the equation P = V × I, where P stands for power.

Understanding that power is the capacity to do work in an electrical system helps clarify its significance in various applications. For instance, appliances and devices are rated in watts to indicate how much power they consume during operation. This distinction allows for effective energy management and ensures that electrical systems are designed to handle the required power without failure.

The other terms in the context of electricity are defined as follows: current refers to the flow of electric charge, voltage is the electrical potential difference between points in a circuit, and resistance measures how much a material opposes the flow of current. Each of these plays a crucial role in the overall understanding of electrical systems, but power is specifically represented by the "W" symbol in calculations and electrical specifications.