Calculate the work done based on force applied and distance moved.
Work Done
—
Joules (J)
Understanding Work in Physics
In physics, "work" is a fundamental concept that describes the energy transferred when a force causes an object to move a certain distance. It's not just about exerting effort; it's about the combination of force and displacement in the direction of that force.
For work to be done, two conditions must be met:
A force must be applied to an object.
The object must move (displace) in the direction of the applied force.
If you push against a wall with all your might, but the wall doesn't move, you are not doing any physical work on the wall, even though you might feel tired.
The Formula for Work
The basic formula for calculating work (W) is the product of the force (F) applied and the distance (d) over which the force is applied, assuming the force is applied in the same direction as the displacement.
W = F × d
Where:
W represents Work, measured in Joules (J).
F represents Force, measured in Newtons (N).
d represents Distance, measured in Meters (m).
The unit of work, the Joule, is defined as the work done when a force of one Newton moves an object through a distance of one meter.
When is Work Done?
Work is done when:
Lifting a box: You apply an upward force against gravity, and the box moves upward.
Pushing a cart: You apply a forward force, and the cart moves forward.
A car accelerating: The engine applies a force, and the car moves forward.
Work is NOT done when:
Holding a heavy object stationary: You exert force, but there is no displacement.
Pushing against an immovable object: Force is applied, but there is no displacement.
An object moves perpendicular to the applied force: For example, if you carry a bag horizontally, the force of gravity acts downwards, and your lifting force acts upwards, but the displacement is horizontal. The work done by gravity or your lifting force in this specific horizontal motion is zero.
Example Calculation
Let's say you push a heavy box across the floor with a force of 75 Newtons, and the box moves a distance of 5 meters in the direction you are pushing.
Using the formula:
Work = Force × Distance
Work = 75 N × 5 m
Work = 375 Joules (J)
Therefore, 375 Joules of work are done on the box.
function calculateWork() {
var forceInput = document.getElementById("force");
var distanceInput = document.getElementById("distance");
var resultValueElement = document.getElementById("result-value");
var force = parseFloat(forceInput.value);
var distance = parseFloat(distanceInput.value);
if (isNaN(force) || isNaN(distance)) {
resultValueElement.textContent = "Invalid Input";
document.getElementById("result-unit").textContent = "";
return;
}
if (force < 0 || distance < 0) {
resultValueElement.textContent = "Inputs must be non-negative";
document.getElementById("result-unit").textContent = "";
return;
}
var work = force * distance;
resultValueElement.textContent = work.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("result-unit").textContent = "Joules (J)";
}