Work Done and Energy Transfers

• A force causes an object to be displaced through a distance, which is referred to as 'work'.
• The equation used to calculate work done is: Work done = Force x Distance.
• The distance that is moved along the line of action of the force must be used when calculating work done.
• 1 joule of work is done when a force of 1 Newton causes a displacement of 1 metre.
• 1 Newton-metre (Nm) is equal to 1 Joule (J) of energy.
• The force acting on an object over a distance of 5m does 10N of work.
• When work is done against frictional forces, a rise in temperature of the object occurs and kinetic energy is converted to heat.
• Air resistance slows down a projectile because the object does work against the air resistance and kinetic energy is converted into heat, slowing down the object.