In physics, work is done when a force moves something. The amount of work is the force times the displacement in the direction of the force: W = Fd cos θ. This work done calculator gives the answer in joules.
Only the part of the force along the motion does work. Carrying a bag horizontally at steady speed does no work on the bag (θ = 90°), and friction does negative work (θ = 180°).
| Force (F) | 50 N |
| Displacement (d) | 10 m |
| Angle between force and motion (θ) | 0 degrees |
| Work done (J) | 500 |
| Work done (kJ) | 0.5 |
| cos θ | 1 |
Pushing with 50 N along the floor for 10 m does 500 J of work.
Try this example →| Force (F) | 50 N |
| Displacement (d) | 10 m |
| Angle between force and motion (θ) | 60 degrees |
| Work done (J) | 250 |
| Work done (kJ) | 0.25 |
| cos θ | 0.5 |
Pulling at 60° to the ground does only 250 J of useful work.
Try this example →W = F × d × cos θ, where θ is the angle between the force and the displacement.
The joule (J), equal to 1 N·m.
When there is no displacement, or when the force is at 90° to the motion.
No. Work is a scalar: it has size but no direction.