1. What is Work in Physics?

In physics, work is the energy transferred to or from an object via the application of force along a displacement. The basic formula is W = F × d × cos(θ), where θ is the angle between the force and displacement vectors.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the work equation:

Where:

• \( W \) — Work done (Joules)
• \( F \) — Force applied (Newtons)
• \( d \) — Displacement (meters)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between force and displacement (degrees)

Explanation: Work is only done when a force causes displacement. The cosine factor accounts for the direction of the force relative to the displacement.

3. Importance of Work Calculation

Details: Calculating work is fundamental in mechanics, helping determine energy transfers in systems, mechanical advantage, and efficiency of machines.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter force in Newtons, distance in meters, and angle in degrees (0° for parallel force, 90° for perpendicular). All values must be valid (force > 0, distance > 0, angle between 0-180°).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When is work considered to be zero?
A: Work is zero when either no force is applied, no displacement occurs, or the force is perpendicular to displacement (θ = 90°).

Q2: What are the units of work?
A: The SI unit is the Joule (J), equivalent to 1 Newton-meter (N·m).

Q3: What's the difference between work and power?
A: Work measures energy transfer, while power measures the rate of work done (work per unit time).

Q4: Can work be negative?
A: Yes, when the force component opposes displacement (90° < θ ≤ 180°), work is negative, indicating energy is being removed from the object.

Q5: How does this relate to kinetic energy?
A: The work-energy theorem states that the net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy.