Watt Converter
Convert Watt to Petawatt and more • 80 conversions
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Unit Explanations
WattW
Source UnitThe watt (symbol: W) is the SI unit of power, defined as the rate of energy transfer equivalent to one joule per second. It measures the amount of energy conversion or transfer that occurs per unit time. In practical terms, it quantifies the rate at which work is done or energy is consumed. The watt is a derived unit in the International System of Units (SI), and it is used extensively in various fields such as electricity, mechanics, and thermodynamics to quantify power output or consumption.
Current Use
The watt is widely used across the globe to measure electrical power, mechanical power, and heat transfer. It serves as a fundamental unit in the fields of electrical engineering, physics, and many applied sciences. It is crucial for calculating energy consumption in households, industries, and for determining the power output of engines and machinery.
Fun Fact
One watt is equivalent to 1/746th of a horsepower.
PetawattPW
Target UnitA petawatt (PW) is a unit of power in the International System of Units (SI) that equals 10^15 watts or 1,000,000,000,000,000 watts. It represents an extremely high rate of energy transfer and is used primarily in scientific contexts where immense power outputs are involved, such as in laser technology, astrophysics, and electrical engineering. The petawatt quantifies power in terms of energy per unit time, showing how much energy is being used or transferred in a given period. As a multiple of the watt, it is part of the metric system's prefix system, which scales measurements for ease of use in various applications.
Current Use
Today, the petawatt is predominantly used in the fields of high-energy physics, astrophysics, and advanced engineering. It serves as a standard measure for characterizing the output of some of the world's most powerful lasers, such as those used in fusion research and materials science. Additionally, petawatt-level power is often referenced in studies related to astrophysical phenomena, such as supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, where energy emissions can reach astonishing levels.
Fun Fact
The petawatt is one of the largest units of power commonly used in scientific research, illustrating the extreme energy outputs of certain physical phenomena.
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📐Conversion Formula
= × 1.00000How to Convert
To convert to , multiply the value by 1.00000. This conversion factor represents the ratio between these two units.
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💡 Pro Tip: For the reverse conversion ( → ), divide by the conversion factor instead of multiplying.
Watt
power • SI Unit
Definition
The watt (symbol: W) is the SI unit of power, defined as the rate of energy transfer equivalent to one joule per second. It measures the amount of energy conversion or transfer that occurs per unit time. In practical terms, it quantifies the rate at which work is done or energy is consumed. The watt is a derived unit in the International System of Units (SI), and it is used extensively in various fields such as electricity, mechanics, and thermodynamics to quantify power output or consumption.
History & Origin
The watt is named after James Watt, a Scottish engineer and inventor whose improvements to the steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution. The unit was introduced to provide a consistent measure of power, reflecting Watt's contributions to power engineering.
Etymology: Named after James Watt, a pioneer in steam engine development.
Current Use
The watt is widely used across the globe to measure electrical power, mechanical power, and heat transfer. It serves as a fundamental unit in the fields of electrical engineering, physics, and many applied sciences. It is crucial for calculating energy consumption in households, industries, and for determining the power output of engines and machinery.
💡 Fun Facts
- •One watt is equivalent to 1/746th of a horsepower.
- •The watt is the power required to lift a small apple one meter in one second.
- •James Watt's improvements to the steam engine greatly increased its efficiency and power output.
📏 Real-World Examples
🔗 Related Units
Petawatt
power • Non-SI
Definition
A petawatt (PW) is a unit of power in the International System of Units (SI) that equals 10^15 watts or 1,000,000,000,000,000 watts. It represents an extremely high rate of energy transfer and is used primarily in scientific contexts where immense power outputs are involved, such as in laser technology, astrophysics, and electrical engineering. The petawatt quantifies power in terms of energy per unit time, showing how much energy is being used or transferred in a given period. As a multiple of the watt, it is part of the metric system's prefix system, which scales measurements for ease of use in various applications.
History & Origin
The petawatt was introduced in the late 20th century as part of the metric system's expansion to accommodate larger quantities of power. The use of prefixes like 'peta-' is derived from the Greek word 'penta,' meaning five, indicating the power of 10 to the 15th. The formal adoption of the petawatt occurred in conjunction with the standardization of the watt as a unit of power in the International System of Units (SI) in 1960, although the prefix had been used informally in scientific literature prior to this.
Etymology: The term 'petawatt' combines the prefix 'peta-' which signifies a factor of 10^15, with 'watt,' named after the Scottish inventor James Watt, who contributed significantly to the development of the steam engine and the concept of power.
Current Use
Today, the petawatt is predominantly used in the fields of high-energy physics, astrophysics, and advanced engineering. It serves as a standard measure for characterizing the output of some of the world's most powerful lasers, such as those used in fusion research and materials science. Additionally, petawatt-level power is often referenced in studies related to astrophysical phenomena, such as supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, where energy emissions can reach astonishing levels.
💡 Fun Facts
- •The petawatt is one of the largest units of power commonly used in scientific research, illustrating the extreme energy outputs of certain physical phenomena.
- •A petawatt laser can deliver energy in a fraction of a second that is equivalent to the energy consumption of a small country for an entire year.
- •The concept of petawatt lasers has led to advancements in medical technology, particularly in areas like laser surgery and imaging.
📏 Real-World Examples
🔗 Related Units
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert to ?▼
To convert to , multiply your value by 1. For example, 10 equals 10 .
What is the formula for to conversion?▼
The formula is: = × 1. This conversion factor is based on international standards.
Is this to converter accurate?▼
Yes! MetricConv uses internationally standardized conversion factors from organizations like NIST and ISO. Our calculations support up to 15 decimal places of precision, making it suitable for scientific, engineering, and everyday calculations.
Can I convert back to ?▼
Absolutely! You can use the swap button (⇄) in the converter above to reverse the conversion direction, or visit our to converter.