Power:

The rate of doing work is called power, and it is defined as the work done in unit time.  As a formula, this would be:

power = work done/time Taken

 Power is expressed in several different units, such as the watt, ergs per second, and foot-pounds per second.  The most common unit of power in general use in the United States is the horsepower.  One horsepower (hp) is equal to 550 ft-lb's or 33000 ft-1b/min.  In the metric system the unit of power is the watt (W) or the kilowatt (kW).  One hp is equal to 746 watts; and 1 kW = 1.34 hp.

Example:

To compute the power necessary to raise an elevator containing 10 persons a distance of 100 ft in 5 s (assuming the loaded elevator weighs 2500 lb), proceed as follows:

Power = work done/Time Taken        = 2500 x 100/5                 = 50,000 ft-lb's/sec

    Since 1hp = 550 ft-lb's/sec then required hp = 50,000/550

      = 90.9 hp (67.81 kw assuming no friction losses)