Work

In physics, work refers to the product of force and distance vectors .

<math>\bold{W} = \bold{F} · \bold{d}</math>

Or, its integral form:

\int \bold{F} \cdot \mathrm{d}\bold{s}

Or:

W = F d 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".

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