Science Common Sense

219 - How do we define work in physics?

In physics, 'work' is different from how we use it in everyday life. When we do 'work' in physics, it's when a force (like a push or pull) moves an object over a certain distance. If you push or pull something and it doesn't move, you don't do any work.

The amount of work done is calculated by multiplying the force applied by how far the object moves in the direction of the force. For example, if you push a heavy box 10 meters with a force of 5 Newtons, you're doing 50 Joules of work.