{Use of Tech} Power and energy Power and energy are often used interchangeably, but they are quite different. Energy is what makes matter move or heat up. It is measured in units of joules or Calories, where 1 Cal=4184 J. One hour of walking consumes roughly 10⁶J, or 240 Cal. On the other hand, power is the rate at which energy is used, which is measured in watts, where 1 W=1 J/s. Other useful units of power are kilowatts (1 kW=10³ W) and megawatts (1 MW=10⁶ W). If energy is used at a rate of 1 kW for one hour, the total amount of energy used is 1 kilowatt-hour (1 kWh=3.6×10⁶ J) Suppose the cumulative energy used in a large building over a 24-hr period is given by E(t)=100t+4t²−t³ / 9kWh where t=0 corresponds to midnight.
c. Graph the power function and interpret the graph. What are the units of power in this case?

Key Concepts

Energy vs. Power

Energy is the capacity to do work or produce heat, measured in joules (J) or calories (Cal). Power, on the other hand, is the rate at which energy is consumed or produced, measured in watts (W), where 1 W equals 1 J/s. Understanding the distinction between these two concepts is crucial for analyzing how energy is utilized over time.

Cumulative Energy Function

The cumulative energy function E(t) = 100t + 4t² - t³ represents the total energy consumed over time, where t is measured in hours. This function allows us to calculate the energy used at any given time and is essential for determining the power function by differentiating E(t) with respect to time.

Graphing Power Function

To graph the power function, we first derive it from the cumulative energy function, which gives us the rate of energy consumption at any time t. The resulting power function will be plotted against time, allowing us to visualize how power usage changes throughout the day. The units of power in this context will be in kilowatts (kW), reflecting the energy consumption rate.