1.4.1

Work & Energy

Test yourself

Work Done

Moving something or heating something up requires energy. Work done is the amount of energy transferred.

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Work done in a straight line

  • Work done is measured in Joules (J).
  • It is given by the equation:
    • Work done = force applied × distance travelled
    • W = F × s
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Work done at an angle

  • Sometimes the force, F, applied to an object is at an angle, θ, to the direction of motion.
  • In this case, we only consider the component of the force which is in the same direction as the direction of motion.
  • This gives us a more general formula for work done:
    • W = F s cos θ
  • If θ = 0, then cosθ = 1, and we return to the original equation W = F × s.

Jump to other topics

1Space, Time & Motion

2The Particulate Nature of Matter

3Wave Behaviour

4Fields

4.1Circular Motion

4.2Newton's Law of Gravitation

4.3Fields

4.4Fields at Work

4.5Electric Fields

4.6Magnetic Effect of Electric Currents

4.7Heating Effect of Currents

4.8Electromagnetic Induction

4.9Power Generation & Transmission

4.10Capacitance

5Nuclear & Quantum Physics

6Measurements

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