How many horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts, which corresponds to lifting 550 pounds at the rate of one-foot-per-second?

The correct answer is one horsepower because this unit is defined specifically in terms of watts and foot-pounds of force. One horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts, which reflects the power output required to lift 550 pounds at a rate of one foot per second.

This measurement originated from early steam engines and has been standardized in modern terms, connecting mechanical power to electrical power. Therefore, when the question specifies that 746 watts corresponds to the same power needed for that specific lifting scenario, it aligns perfectly with the definition of one horsepower.

In the context of this question, other horsepower values either understate or overstate the power needed for the described lifting task, as they do not accurately reflect the established conversion rate between watts and horsepower. Thus, the answer points to one horsepower as the correct measure for this scenario.