Work Done

• ‘Work Done’ is a key concept in physics that defines the amount of force required to move an object a certain distance. It is measured in joules (J).

• The formula for calculating work done is W = Fd, where W is work done, F is the force applied, and d is the distance covered.

• Work is only done when a force causes movement. If no movement occurs, no matter how much force is applied, no work is done.

• Remember, the force and distance must be in the same direction for work to be done. If they are at angles, only the component of the force in the direction of the motion is considered.

• It is also essential to note that when work is done on an object, energy is transferred. The work done on the object is equal to the energy transferred.

• There can be different types of work done such as gravitational work done - when an object is lifted, the force doing the work is counteracting gravity.

• If the force acting on an object is opposing motion, such as friction, then this is known as ‘negative work’. This is because the force is doing work to remove energy from the system, rather than adding it.

• High impact factors such as collisions can also be included in the topic of work done. These types of work done situations involve kinetic energy and the principle of conservation of energy.

• When revising, practise calculations involving work done to improve understanding and proficiency at using the formula W = Fd.

• Lastly, remember that the concept of work done is closely linked with other topics within physics, such as kinetic and potential energy, force, and distance. Reflect on these links to get a more profound understanding of how they interrelate.