Hammering a Nail You lift up the hammer, and apply a force to the nail.

The hammer is in motion and has a mass, coming down on the nail, therefore has potential energy. Once it hits the nail, it is now kinetic energy. This energy has the capability to drive the nail in through whatever surface ability to do work! The more force you apply, the faster the object will move so the kinetic energy will increase which is why it will go through the surface more as it is able to do more work.