Work and Power
Terms and Formulae
Terms
Energy
-
The ability to do work.
Work
-
A force applied over a distance. For formulae, see work done by a constant
force parallel to displacement and work done by
any constant force, and
work done by a position-dependent force.
Joule
-
The units of work, equivalent to a Newton-meter. Also units of energy.
Kinetic Energy
-
The energy of motion.
Power
-
Work done per unit time. For formulas, see Formula for average
power,
Definition of instantaneous power, and formula
for instantaneous
power.
Watt
-
Unit of power; equal to joule/second.
Formulae
| Work done by a constant force parallel to displacement | W = Fx |
| Work done by any constant force | W = Fx cosθ |
| Work-Energy Theorem | W = ΔK |
| Formula for average power |
 = 
|
| Definition of instantaneous power |
P = 
|
| Formula for instantaneous power | P = Fv cosθ |
| Work done by a position-dependent force |
W = 
F(x)dx
force.
|
