Work Done
- Energy is the capacity of something to do work
- Work is done whenever a force acts on an object that moves (or is moving) in the direction of the force
- The greater the force, the greater the work
- The larger the distance moved, the larger the work
Work is done when a force is used to move an object a distance
- Whenever any work is done, energy gets transferred (mechanically) from one form to another
- The amount of energy transferred (in joules) is equal to the work done (also in joules)
energy transferred (J) = work done (J)
- Usually, if a force acts in the direction that an object is moving then the object will gain energy
- If the force acts in the opposite direction to the movement then the object will lose energy
https://player.vimeo.com/video/367571842?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0Extended Only
Calculating Work Done
- The amount of work that is done if related to the size of the force and the distance moved by the object in the direction of the force:
work done = force × distance moved
W = F× d
- You can rearrange this equation with the help of the formula triangle:
Use the formula triangle to help you rearrange the equation
- The units of work are joules (J) (the same as the units of energy), but can also be given as newton metres (Nm)