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Work & Energy

Track force through distance and see energy change form.

Follow the mechanism1 / 3

A force acts through displacement. Only the component of force along the path can transfer mechanical energy.

force over distance320.0 J work
Focus the idea
Work transfers energy through a distanceA block enters sliding right with 200 joules of kinetic energy. A force of 40 newtons acts at 0 degrees above the direction of motion over up to 8 meters. The work is 320.0 joules and the block is 100 percent through its path.F = 40 N at 0°d = 8 mwork = Fd cos θ320.0 J transferredKE 520.0 J
force component40.0 N
distance8.0 m
work320.0 J
final energy200 → 520.0 J

Only the force component along the displacement contributes: 40.0 N.

Work is energy transferred by a force through displacement. The block enters with 200 J of kinetic energy on a frictionless floor. Direction matters: a force can be large and still do zero work when it is perpendicular to the motion.

04 / PRACTICE

Make the idea yours.

0 / 3 checked

Use the model, then answer without looking back. Each check isolates one decision a learner should be able to make after this lesson.

CHECK 1 / 3

A force acts at 90° to the displacement. How much work does it do?