Encyclopedia > Work (physics)

  Article Content

Mechanical work

Redirected from Work (physics)

In Newtonian mechanics, work is a measure of energy expended in applying force over a distance.

For the motion of a body against a constant force, work can be expressed as:

W = F · d (dot product)

<math>
W = \left| \mathbf{F} \right| \cdot \left| s \right| \cdot \cos \alpha </math>

where

  • W : work (energy)
  • F : force
  • d : distance moved

In modern physics, the term energy is generally used to refer to all forms of energy, including mechanical work.

The SI derived unit of work is the Joule. Other units include the erg, the foot-pound and the foot-poundal.

stub alarm



All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

 
  Search Encyclopedia

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!
 
 
  
  Featured Article
Dynabee

... of a spinning gyroscope will resist a force applied to it and will start rotating perpendicular to the force applied. This is why spinning gyro tops will not simply fall ...

 
 
 
This page was created in 32.7 ms