Difference between revisions of "Work"
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<ref>Serway and Beichner, ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'', Fifth Edition</ref>. | <ref>Serway and Beichner, ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'', Fifth Edition</ref>. | ||
| − | ''W'' = F | + | ''W'' = F x d |
Or: | Or: | ||
| − | ''W'' = F d | + | ''W'' = F d sin θ |
| − | Where θ is the angle that separates the vectors. | + | Where θ is the angle that separates the vectors. The second form of the equation is the expanded form of the "cross product" in the first equation. In physics, the cross product "a x b" (read "a cross b") can be rewritten as "a b sin θ". |
Work is a transfer of [[energy]]; if ''W'' is positive, there is a transfer of energy ''to'' the system, and if ''W'' is negative there is a transfer of energy ''from'' the system. | Work is a transfer of [[energy]]; if ''W'' is positive, there is a transfer of energy ''to'' the system, and if ''W'' is negative there is a transfer of energy ''from'' the system. | ||
Revision as of 03:01, December 3, 2007
In physics, work refers to the product of force and distance vectors [1].
W = F x d
Or:
W = F d sin θ
Where θ is the angle that separates the vectors. The second form of the equation is the expanded form of the "cross product" in the first equation. In physics, the cross product "a x b" (read "a cross b") can be rewritten as "a b sin θ".
Work is a transfer of energy; if W is positive, there is a transfer of energy to the system, and if W is negative there is a transfer of energy from the system.
Its units are that of force multiplied by distance, in SI this is Newton · Meter, or Joule
References
- ↑ Serway and Beichner, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Fifth Edition