Question

$1$ megawatts is equal to how many watts?
A. $10$W
B. ${10}^3$W
C. ${10}^6$W
D. ${10}^9$W

Answer 1

Hint: In this question, we are supposed to determine the value of megawatt in terms of Watt. Both megawatt and watt are units of power; the only difference is that megawatt has a higher figure or large value when compared to that of Watt. The unit of Power is given by Watts. A megawatt is used to indicate a large value, usually the power generated by a power plant. In SI units $1$ Watt= $1$ Kg m${}^{-2}$ s${}^{-3}$. An example of a unit of conversion would be $1$ Kilowatt = ${10}^3$ Watt. Kilowatt also has a large value compared to Watt as seen from the expression before that is kilowatt is $$1000$$times Watt.


Complete step-by-step solution:
 We have to find:
$1$ Megawatt in terms of Watt
So let us write the expression in terms of K
$1$ Megawatt = K Watts
We have to find what the value of K is
K=?
As per the unit of conversions, we know that K can be written as$1000000$ times Watt that is ${10}^6$times Watt
Therefore K=${10}^6$
Since we have determined the value of K, we can express Megawatt in terms of Watt.
Hence we have $1$ Megawatt = ${10}^6$ Watts

Note: When we deal with large values such as the energy output of a factory, it becomes tedious to mention the values in terms of zeros. Therefore units such as Kilo and Mega which indicate large values such as ${10}^3$and ${10}^6$respectively make the calculation and work much easier.
Some useful conversions are mentioned below:
$1$ Kilowatt = ${10}^3$ Watt, $1$ Megawatt = ${10}^6$ Watt, $1$ milliwatt = ${10}^{-3}$ Watt