Power and strength are both used to measure the force or influence of someone or something to produce a reaction or effect over another. They are important concepts in various fields, including physical training. Although often used interchangeably, they have unique differences that set them apart. The key difference is that power encompasses many dimensions, including strength, while strength is mainly highlighted as a physical ability.
Key Takeaways
- Power can refer to physical, mental, and other abstract means of using force and authoritative abilities, while strength is mainly about physical ability.
- Power encompasses all dimensions of capabilities and abilities, including strength, whereas strength is often limited to physical or muscular force.
- Both power and strength can be improved and used according to one’s will, but power has a broader scope, including political control, moral efficacy, and the ability to supply energy.
What is Power?
Power indicates a particular ability that can have a certain control over external forces. It can refer to physical, mental, and other abstract means of using force and authoritative abilities. Power is the possession of control, authority, or influence over others and can be in the form of physical strength, mental or moral efficacy, political control, or a source of supplying energy, such as electricity. In diplomacy, power is divided into hard power (use of coercion), soft power (use of culture and other abstract elements to influence others), and smart power (use of both hard and soft power).
What is Strength?
Strength is mainly about the physical ability to exert force or pressure on something. It concerns the physical capability of a person or a thing. Strength can also be used to indicate the capability of something or someone, such as military strength. In the context of physical training, strength is considered the muscular ability or the amount of force muscles can exert on something.
What are the Similarities Between Power and Strength?
- Both can be used to indicate the capacity or ability of someone or something.
- Both can be improved and used according to one’s will.
What is the Difference Between Power and Strength?
Power can be physical, mental, spiritual, and other forms as well, while strength is most often referred to the physical capacity. In the context of physical training, power is the endurance ability and the ability to generate much force as fast as possible, while strength is considered the muscular ability or the amount of force muscles can exert on something.
Summary – Power vs Strength
Power and strength are often seen as sharing similar meanings, but their slight differences make them uniquely distinguishable from one another. Strength is often referred to as the physical, muscular force of someone or something, while power can be referred to as the physical force along with other types of influential forces of something or someone over another. This can be highlighted as the difference between power and strength.
