Work Done

What is Work Done?

Within Physics, which covers forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, light and space explained through motion and experiments, this topic explains Work Done. Physics topics explain how things move, push, heat up and carry energy, so each one here pairs a definition with a live model you can change.

Check that you can explain Work Done in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.

Understanding Work Done explains how the physical world behaves, from sport and transport to electricity and medicine.

Work Done in detail

In physics, work is done when a force moves an object in the direction of the force: W = Fd, measured in joules (J). Lifting a 10 N weight 2 m up does 20 J of work. No work is done on an object if it does not move, or if the force is perpendicular to the motion.

If the force is at an angle θ, only the component along the movement counts: W = Fd cos θ. Work done is a transfer of energy, so work done against friction becomes heat. The concept links forces to energy and is the basis for power and efficiency calculations.

How the interactive helps you understand Work Done

Watch the energy stores in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the energy stores responds.

Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Work Done.

Real-life uses and examples

• Use Work Done to make sense of a practical and its results.
• Answer “explain” questions by linking Work Done to a clear cause and effect.
• Predict what a ball, car or circuit will do with Work Done before you do the calculation.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Mixing up Work Done with a related quantity that has different units.
• Forgetting that some quantities, such as force or velocity, also have a direction.
• Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.