How would you define the power of a machine?

The correct answer relates to the concept of power in physics, which is defined as the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. In mechanical terms, power is often expressed as the product of torque and angular velocity when discussing rotating machinery or engines. Torque is the measure of the rotational force applied at a distance from a pivot point, while angular velocity indicates how quickly the machine rotates.

Understanding this relationship is crucial in fields that involve machinery, such as manicuring tools that may use electric power to operate. In contrast, the other options—force, velocity, and speed—do not fully capture the essence of power. Force relates to the strength or energy applied to an object, velocity is the speed of something in a given direction, and speed simply pertains to how fast something moves without accounting for direction. Hence, torque as part of the definition of power becomes a fundamental aspect when considering the efficiency or strength of a machine in performing work.