Astrophysics (Index)About

watt

(W)
(SI unit of power)

The watt (W) is the SI unit of power, i.e., a unit for an energy rate, such as the rate that energy is being produced, transmitted or consumed. A watt is equal to a joule (of energy) per second. The watt is familiar for being commonly used in specifying the energy consumption of light bulbs and other familiar appliances. The energy output of the Sun (its luminosity) can be cited in watts (3.828 × 1026 watts). Solar luminosity (LSun) is a convenient larger power unit, e.g., for other stars. Horsepower is another common unit of power, which has various defined values, generally in the vicinity of 730 watts.

Electromagnetic radiation's density in flight (flux) and its density striking a surface (irradiance) can be expressed as watts per unit area, e.g., watts per square meter. The solar constant (flux of sunlight as it reaches Earth) hovers around 1362 watts per square meter.


(unit,energy,SI)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watt
https://www.bipm.org/en/publications/si-brochure
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pow.html
https://metricsystem.net/derived-units/special-names/watt/
https://www.britannica.com/science/watt-unit-of-measurement
https://www.uwsp.edu/wcee/wcee/pd/keep-pd/energy-module/unit-4-section-f/

Referenced by pages:
energy
flux density
insolation
intensity
irradiance
jansky (Jy)
joule (J)
luminosity (L)
magnitude
noise-equivalent power (NEP)
Poynting vector (S)
radiance
radiant flux
radiative flux
radio galaxy (RG)
RMS
solar luminosity (LSun)
Sun

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