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Calculation of Work
Work is the transfer of energy that results from applying a force over a distance. It is measured in
Joules (J).
The formula for calculating work is:
W=Fxd
W = work
F = force applied
d = distance over which the force is applied
The dot product of force and displacement vectors gives the work done. This means that the force
must be in the same direction as the displacement for work to be done.
If the force is perpendicular to the displacement, no work is done (cosine of 90 degrees is zero).
If the force is parallel to the displacement, the work done is equal to the product of the force and the
displacement.
If the force is at an angle to the displacement, then the work done is less than the product of the force
and the displacement, since only the component of the force in the direction of the displacement is
doing work.
The work-energy principle states that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic
energy. This principle is often used to solve problems involving work and energy.
Examples of work:
Lifting a weight off the ground and moving it
to a higher position.
Pushing a box across a table.
Carrying a backpack up a flight of stairs.
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Using a hammer to drive a nail into a piece of wood.
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