Should I use mechanical or electrical power formulas?

The choice depends on the type of system you're analyzing:

Use Mechanical Power Formulas when:

• Analyzing engines, motors, or turbines (output)
• Calculating work done by forces
• Studying motion, velocity, and acceleration
• Working with gravitational or kinetic energy
• Common formulas: P = F × v, P = τ × ω (torque × angular velocity)

Use Electrical Power Formulas when:

• Analyzing circuits, batteries, or generators
• Calculating energy consumption
• Measuring current, voltage, or resistance
• Working with electrical components
• Common formulas: P = V × I, P = I²R, P = V²/R

For electromechanical systems (like electric motors), you'll use both:

• Electrical input power: P = V × I
• Mechanical output power: P = τ × ω
• Efficiency: η = (Mechanical output / Electrical input) × 100%