When a force acts on an object and the object actually moves in the direction of force, then the work is said to be done by the force.

Work done by the force is equal to the product of the force and the displacement of the object in the direction of force.

If under a constant force F the object displaced through a distance s, then work done by the force

W = F * s = F s cos θ

Where a is the smaller angle between F and s.

Work is a scalar quantity, Its S1 unit is joule and CGS unit is erg.

NOTE: 1 joule = 10⁷ erg

Its dimensional formula is [ML2T-2].

Work done by a force is zero, if

(a) Body is not displaced actually, i.e., s = 0

(b) Body is displaced perpendicular to the direction of force, i.e.,

θ = 90°

Work done by a force is positive if angle between F and s is acute angle.

Work done by a force is negative if angle between F and s is obtuse angle.

Work done by a constant force depends only on the initial and final Positions and not on the actual path followed between initial and final positions.

Work done in different conditions

Work done by a variable force is given by

W = ∫ F * ds

It is equal to the area under the force-displacement graph along with proper sign.

Work done = Area ABCDA

1. Work done in displacing anybody under the action of a number of forces is equal to the work done by the resultant force.
2. In equilibrium (static or dynamic), the resultant force is zero therefore resultant work done is zero.
3. If work done by a force during a rough trip of a system is zero, then the force is conservative, otherwise it is called non-conservative force.

• Gravitational force, electrostatic force, magnetic force, etc. are conservative forces. All the central forces are conservative forces.
• Frictional force, viscous force, etc. are non-conservative forces.

4. Work done by the force of gravity on a particle of mass m is given by W = mgh .where g is acceleration due to gravity and h  is height through particle one displaced.
5. Work done in compressing or stretching a spring is given by W = 1 / 2 kx2

Where k is spring constant and x is displacement from mean position.

6. When on end of a spring is attached to a fixed vertical support and a block attached to the free end moves on a horizontal.

table from x = x₁ to x = x₂ then W = 1 / 2 k (x² x₂– x² x₁)

7. Work done by the couple for an angular displacement θ is given by W = i * θ

Where i is the torque of the couple.