Watt

The watt (symbol: W) is the SI derived unit for power. It is equivalent to one joule per second (1 J/s), or in electrical units, one volt ampere (1 V·A).

It is the rate in joules per second at which energy is being converted, used, or dissipated.

Equations: Failed to parse (PNG conversion failed; check for correct installation of latex, dvips, gs, and convert): \mbox{ W} = \frac{\mbox{J}} {\mbox{s}} = \frac{\mbox{N·m}} {\mbox{s}} = \frac{\mbox{kg·m}^2} {\mbox{s}^3} = \mbox{ V·A}


The unit watt is named after James Watt for his contributions to the development of the steam engine, and was adopted by the Second Congress of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1889 and by the 11th Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures in 1960.

A unit of power multiplied by a unit of time is a common format for expressing energy. For example, a kilowatt hour, the amount of energy expended by a one kilowatt device over the course of one hour, is 3.6 megajoules. A megawatt day (MWd or MW·d) is equal to 86.4 GJ. These units are often used in the context of power plants and home energy bills.

For the use of watts as a measurement in broadcasting, see effective radiated power and nominal power for a full discussion.

SI electricity units

SI electromagnetism units

edit

Name Symbol Dimensions Quantity
ampere (SI base unit) A A Current
coulomb C A·s Electric charge, Quantity of electricity
volt V J/C = kg·m2·s−3·A−1 Potential difference
ohm Ω V/A = kg·m2·s−3·A−2 Resistance, Impedance, Reactance
ohm metre Ω·m kg·m3·s−3·A−2 Resistivity
watt W V·A = kg·m2·s−3 Electrical power
farad F C/V = kg−1·m−2·A2·s4 Capacitance
farad per metre F/m kg−1·m−3·A2·s4 Permittivity
reciprocal farad F−1 kg1·m2·A−2·s−4 Elastance
siemens S Ω−1 = kg−1·m−2·s3·A2 Conductance, Admittance, Susceptance
siemens per metre S/m kg−1·m−3·s3·A2 Conductivity
weber Wb V·s = kg·m2·s−2·A−1 Magnetic flux
tesla T Wb/m2 = kg·s−2·A−1 Magnetic flux density
ampere per metre A/m m−1·A magnetic induction
ampere-turns per weber A/Wb kg−1·m−2·s2·A2 Reluctance
henry H Wb/A = V·s/A = kg·m2·s−2·A−2 Inductance
henry per metre H/m kg·m·s−2·A−2 Permeability
(dimensionless) χ - Magnetic susceptibility

See also

External link

See also: Watt, 1889, 1960, Admittance, Ampere, Broadcasting, Capacitance, Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures