What is Work? Understanding the Concept of Work in Physics and Everyday Life

[alkaspeltzar]

Okay, I am confused about work and what it is. I know the formula, W=FDCos(theta), so putting it in math terms doesn't help. I am trying to get a layman's/physical understanding of it.

Everything I read says it is equal to energy, so then I think it must be energy right, has same units? But then I see sites that say it is the force thru the displacement, so is it the action?

My only understanding I could gather is that work is the energy expended/output as a force acts thru a distance. Force is the push/pull, the distance is how far it was moved, the action of the force thru the distance spent energy/did work. Is this right?

 

[anorlunda]

Just look at the units.

foot pound is energy. foot-pounds per second is power, 550 foot pounds per second is 1 horsepower.
Newton meter is energy. One Newton meter is one joule. Newton meters per second is power. One joule per second is a watt.

 

[alkaspeltzar]

So are you saying work is energy? I see the units, that's where the confusion starts. People talk about work like an activity, yet it is an energy

 

[jbriggs444]

So are you saying work is energy? I see the units, that's where the confusion starts. People talk about work like an activity, yet it is an energy

In physics, "work" is a transfer of energy, yes. It is a particular sort of transfer. In first year physics, it is a transfer of energy accomplished by a force applied over a [parallel] distance moved. In second year physics, the notion might be generalized further.

In ordinary life one would talk about "work" as an activity you perform to earn a wage. Some of the usage patterns are borrowed.