Power states refer to the different modes of operation that a device or system can enter to manage energy consumption and performance. Commonly found in electronics, these states include active, idle, and sleep. Each state represents a balance between performance needs and energy efficiency, allowing devices to conserve power when not in use. In computing, power states are often defined by the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) standard. This standard helps operating systems manage power consumption effectively, enabling features like sleep mode and hibernate to extend battery life in laptops and reduce energy use in desktops.