What is police power?

The Commerce Clause refers to Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution. It authorizes Congress “to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.” This is the fundamental source of authority for the federal regulation of commerce. However, the federal government’s authority to regulate interstate commerce can sometimes conflict with the states’ regulation of intrastate commerce. Please address the following prompts:

1.    What is police power?

2.    What is the dormant commerce clause?

3.    How do courts balance the commerce clause with states police powers? 

Your response must be at least 200 words in length.