TeXes Science Practice Test

What term describes the measurement of the capacity to do work?

1. Force

2. Power

3. Energy

4. Mass

The correct answer is: Energy

The term that describes the measurement of the capacity to do work is energy. Energy is a fundamental concept in physics, representing the ability of a system to perform work or produce change. It comes in various forms, including kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, and more. When work is done, energy is transferred from one system to another, indicating the ability of the system to perform that work. Energy is measured in joules in the International System of Units (SI). Understanding energy is essential in various scientific fields, as it plays a critical role in physical processes and systems. While force refers to an interaction that changes the motion of an object, power measures the rate of doing work or consuming energy over time. Mass, on the other hand, is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and does not directly quantify the capability to do work. Therefore, energy is the most appropriate term in this context.