Difference between revisions of "Work"
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In [[physics]], '''work''' refers to the product of [[force]] and [[distance]] vectors | In [[physics]], '''work''' refers to the product of [[force]] and [[distance]] vectors | ||
<ref>Serway and Beichner, ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'', Fifth Edition</ref>. | <ref>Serway and Beichner, ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'', Fifth Edition</ref>. | ||
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<math>\bold{W} = \bold{F} \cdot \bold{d}</math> | <math>\bold{W} = \bold{F} \cdot \bold{d}</math> | ||
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Or, its integral form: | Or, its integral form: | ||
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<math>\int \bold{F} \cdot \mathrm{d}\bold{s}</math> | <math>\int \bold{F} \cdot \mathrm{d}\bold{s}</math> | ||
| − | + | <br> | |
Or: | Or: | ||
<math>\bold{W} = \bold{F} \cdot \bold{d} cos θ</math> | <math>\bold{W} = \bold{F} \cdot \bold{d} cos θ</math> | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | <br> | ||
Where θ is the angle that separates the vectors. The second form of the equation is the expanded form of the "dot product" in the first equation. In physics, the dot product "a · b" (read "a dot b") can be rewritten as "a b cos θ". | Where θ is the angle that separates the vectors. The second form of the equation is the expanded form of the "dot product" in the first equation. In physics, the dot product "a · b" (read "a dot b") can be rewritten as "a b cos θ". | ||
Revision as of 22:42, May 9, 2009
In physics, work refers to the product of force and distance vectors [1].
<math>\bold{W} = \bold{F} \cdot \bold{d}</math>
Or, its integral form:
<math>\int \bold{F} \cdot \mathrm{d}\bold{s}</math>
Or:
<math>\bold{W} = \bold{F} \cdot \bold{d} cos θ</math>
Where θ is the angle that separates the vectors. The second form of the equation is the expanded form of the "dot product" in the first equation. In physics, the dot product "a · b" (read "a dot b") can be rewritten as "a b cos 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