Decreasing distance while force and time are held constant would produce what change in power output?

Decreasing distance while force and time are held constant would produce what change in power output?

• A. Increase
• B. Decrease
• C. No change
• D. Fluctuate

Answer: (B)

Power is the rate at which work is done, or work divided by the time over which it happens. Work depends on force and distance: W = F × d. If the force and the time are fixed, changing the distance changes how much work is done. Decreasing the distance means less work is done in the same amount of time, so the power output drops. For example, with a constant 100-newton force moving an object in the same time: at 2 meters you do 200 joules of work, which is a certain power; at 1 meter you do 100 joules, which is half that power. Therefore, power decreases.

Power is the rate at which work is done, or work divided by the time over which it happens. Work depends on force and distance: W = F × d. If the force and the time are fixed, changing the distance changes how much work is done. Decreasing the distance means less work is done in the same amount of time, so the power output drops. For example, with a constant 100-newton force moving an object in the same time: at 2 meters you do 200 joules of work, which is a certain power; at 1 meter you do 100 joules, which is half that power. Therefore, power decreases.