Energy

Work

transferring energy with a force

Pushing an object through a distance does work on it, and that work is the energy it gains.

Example

Pushing an object through a distance does work on it, and that work is the energy it gains.

highlighted = computed this step

Work is force times distance

Pushing something along transfers energy to it. When the push is along the motion, the work done is the force times the distance it moves through, and that work shows up as energy gained.

W=F dW = F\,d
Pushing a cart does workA cart on flat ground with a force arrow pushing it forward.mF

A worked value

Pushing with 4 newtons over 3 metres does 4 times 3, or 12 joules of work — that much energy is added to the cart.

W=F d=4 N ⋅ 3 m=12 JW = F\,d = 4\ \text{N} \,\cdot\, 3\ \text{m} = \hl{12}\ \text{J}
mechanics A 4 N push over 3 m does a clean 12 J of work.