Work & power
Work W500 J
Power P125 W
How to use (3 steps)
- Enter force, displacement, and the angle between the force and the direction of motion (θ defaults to 0° if left blank; time is optional for power).
- Add mass, speeds, heights, and gravity to compare kinetic and potential energy changes—recommended to see the full energy balance.
- Press Compute to see work, power, ΔK/ΔU/ΔE, and steps. Copy URL shares this setup.
Default example: F = 100 N, s = 5 m, θ = 0°, m = 10 kg, v₁ = 0 m/s, v₂ = 3 m/s, h₁ = 0 m, h₂ = 0 m, g = 9.8 m/s², t = 4 s.
Inputs
Results
Default example: W = 500 J, P = 125 W, ΔK = 45 J, ΔU = 0 J, and ΔE = 45 J.
Energy changes
| Kinetic energy K₁ | 0 J |
|---|---|
| Kinetic energy K₂ | 45 J |
| Change ΔK | 45 J |
| Change ΔU | 0 J |
| ΔE (mechanical) | 45 J |
Work is larger than ΔE; the gap likely goes to losses such as friction or heat.
How it's calculated
- Work by a constant force: W = F s cos θ = 100×5×cos 0° = 500 J.
- Average power: P = W / t = 500 / 4 = 125 W.
- For m = 10 kg, v₁ = 0, and v₂ = 3 m/s, ΔK = 45 J.
- Because h₁ = h₂ = 0, ΔU = 0 J and ΔE = 45 J.
FAQ
What is the difference between work and energy?
Work is the amount of energy transferred by a force acting through a displacement, while energy describes the state of a system. Both use joules.
What does power represent?
Power is the rate of doing work. The same work done in less time means higher power. Its unit is the watt (J/s).
How does this relate to energy conservation?
In an ideal system, work equals the change in mechanical energy. Differences hint at losses such as friction or other energy inputs.
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