Work = Force x Distance

Name ___________________________________ Sci _____

Background: This may be your first true worksheet. Get it? Work = Force x Distance. Work
results in a change in energy. Work is done if an object’s kinetic energy changes. Work is done
if gravitational potential energy of the object changes. Imagine sliding a book across a table at
constant speed; the work of friction will cause the temperature of the book to increase. So, a
change in thermal energy indicates that work has been done. The force can act in the same
direction of motion. Or, the force can act against the motion. (Drag and friction do that.) Forces
can act when objects touch.

If a force is perpendicular to the motion then no work is done. If you push on an object and it
doesn’t move, then no work is done. If an object’s kinetic energy doesn’t change, then no work
is done.

Work is measured in Joules. Energy is measured in Joules too! Work = energy. Force is
measured in Newtons. Distance is measured in meters.

1. ___________________________________ is the unit for work.

2. ___________________________________ is the unit for force.
3. ___________________________________ is the unit for distance.

4. Which of the following is having work done on it? (Circle all that apply.)

A. a grocery bag as you lift it up

B. a crane moving dirt
C. a crate as you push it along the floor
D. a person sitting on a bench

5. Suppose you want to calculate how much work it takes to lift a 160 N barbell. Besides
the mass of the barbell, what other information do you need to know?
A. the shape of the weights
B. how high the barbell is being lifted
C. the strength of the person doing the lifting
D. None of the above

6. A constant 0.20 Newtons of net force are exerted as a 16-gram plane flies 8
meters. How much work is done by the plane? Plug numbers under the equation. Solve
and circle your answer. Include the proper units.

Work = Force x Distance

 Work = Force x Distance
7. A man has a weight of 100 Newtons. How much work is done if he climbs 4 meters up a
ladder? Plug numbers under the equation. Solve and circle your answer. Include the
proper units.

Wor k = Force x Distance

8. A waiter applies 10 Newtons of net force to accelerate some meals 2 meters across the
dining room. How much work is done on the food during the acceleration? Plug numbers
under the equation. Solve your answer. Include the proper units.

Work = Force x Distance

9. A kitten weighs 40 N. You use 50 N to slide him across the kitchen floor for a distance of
2 m. How much work was done?

Work = Force x Distance

10. A boy kicks a 430-gram soccer ball with 100 N of force. He makes contact for the ball for
a distance of 0.25 meters. After the kick, the ball rolls a distance of 9 meters. How much
work was done on the ball? Be careful.

Work = Force x Distance

11. A crane does work of 13,500J with a force of 5200 N to lift a beam. How far can the
beam be lifted (in meters)?
 Work = Force x Distance

Work = Force x Distance

12. If you are in a car that is being pulled down a 56.0 m path with a force of12.5
Newton’s(N), what is the “work” done on the car?

Extension (optional)

A 600 kg great white shark is lurking below an observation cage. His movement is being studied
from a series of motion sensors below the boat. The shark leisurely charges the cage, strikes it
and makes the cage rattle. Later, the shark returns for another run at the cage. The shark
strikes the cage with 12,800 N of force. The shark traveled for 10 m in making its run. The cage
is designed to withstand 124,500 J of “work” before it breaks. Should the man in the cage be
worried? Explain.