Work Calculator
Calculate the work done on an object using force and distance or by the change in kinetic energy.
Work Definition in Physics and Work Formula
In our everyday life, work is any kind of effort, job, or action that we perform. In physics, however, work has a very strict definition: for work to be done, an object must move as a result of a force applied to it.
The primary work equation is:W = F × d × cos(θ)
Where W is Work, F is the force applied, d is the distance, and θ is the angle between the force and the direction of movement.
The force itself can be defined by Newton's second law:F = m × a
Where m is the mass and a is the acceleration.
Work and power are also related. Power (P) is the rate at which work is done over time (t):P = W / t
Work from Velocity Change (Work-Energy Theorem)
When an object's speed changes from an initial velocity (vᵢ) to a final velocity (v_f), the work done is equal to the change in its kinetic energy. This is known as the work-energy theorem and is derived from the force and distance formulas:
W = ΔKE = ½m(v_f² - v_i²)
SI Units of Work
From the work formula (Force × Distance), the units are Newtons × meters. The standard SI unit for work is the Joule (J). Joules are also units of energy, as work and energy are fundamentally linked concepts in physics.
How to Use the Work Calculator
Our calculator allows you to calculate work using two different methods based on the information you have.
- From Force and Distance: Select this mode if you know the force applied to an object, the distance it moved, and the angle between the force and displacement.
- From Change in Kinetic Energy: Select this mode if you know the mass of the object and its initial and final velocities.
Simply choose your method, input the known values, and the calculator will provide the work done in Joules, along with a step-by-step breakdown of the calculation.