It is this conversion between mechanical energy and electical energy which is the subject of this project. Work and Power One of the main uses of electricity is to produce motion. When we move something through a distance against a resisting force we do work . The unit of work is called the Joule . The Joule is also the unit of energy.
Energy is a general term, of which work and heat are two examples.
This work is required whether we climb the steps quickly or slowly. But it is harder to climb the stairs quickly. We say that it requires more power to climb quickly than it does to climb slowly. Power is defined as the work done divided by the time it takes to do that work. On the battery page, we discussed separating a redox reaction into two parts and requiring the electrons to do work as they pass through the wire on the way from the anode to the cathode.