GCSE Physics · AQA 8463 · Topic 4.5.2
Work done and energy transfer
Key points
- Work is done when a force moves an object through a distance: , where is the distance moved along the line of action of the force.
- One joule of work is done when a force of 1 N moves an object 1 m. So 1 J = 1 N m.
- Doing work transfers energy. For example, work done against friction raises the temperature of the surfaces.
- When a car brakes, work done by the brakes transfers kinetic energy to thermal energy in the brakes.
- Power is the rate of doing work: .
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Push a box across a floor and you are doing work: you are using a force to transfer energy. In physics "work done" has an exact meaning and an equation, and it connects the forces topic directly to energy.
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