Work and forces

Work (in terms of energy)

A measure of the energy transferred from one store to another

Work (in terms of forces)

When the force causes a displacement of the object

W = Fd

The equation linking work, force and distance (moved in the direction of the force)

W

The symbol for work

F

The symbol for force

d

The symbol for distance

Joules (J)

The SI unit for energy and work

Newtons (N)

The SI unit for force

Metres (m)

The SI unit for distance

What one joule is equal to

The amount of work done done when a force of one newton causes a displacement of one metre (1 J = 1 Nm)

Newton-metre (Nm)

An alternative unit used to measure the work done by a force

Effect of doing work against friction

Work done against the frictional forces acting on an object causes a rise in the temperature of the object