WORK, ENERGY, POWER Work.
DEFINITION
If a force F acts on a body and the body moves a distance s at an angle θ to the line of action
of the force then, the work done W is defined as being the product of the force, distance and the cosine of the angle. i.e.
W = F * Cos(θ)
The unit of work, or energy transfer, is the joule (J). One joule is the energy transferred when a force of 1 newton is applied over a distance
of 1 metre in the direction of the force. This makes the joule the equivelent of kg m2 s-2 with dimensions
of [M]1 [L]2 [T]-2.
Rob Coles 08 April 1996 00:04:15