What is the formula for work?

Whenever 'work' is done energy is transferred from one place to another. The amount of work done is expressed in the equation: work done = force x distance. Power is a measure of how quickly work is being done. Power is expressed in the equation: power = work done / time taken. read more

These formulas show that work is the energy associated with the action of a force, so work subsequently possesses the physical dimensions, and units, of energy. The work/energy principles discussed here are identical to Electric work/energy principles. read more

Negative work is done when the force doing the work opposes the motion of the object. When a positive value for work is substituted into the work-energy equation above, the final amount of energy will be greater than the initial amount of energy; the system is said to have gained mechanical energy. read more