Key Concepts
When does a force do work?
How are work and power related?
Vocabulary
work
power
horsepower
joule
watt
Reading Strategy
Relating Text and Visuals
Copy the table shown at the right. As you read, look carefully at Figures 1 and 2 and read their captions. Complete the table by describing the work shown in each figure.
Figure |
Direction of Force |
Direction of Motion |
Is Work Done? |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
a. |
b. |
c. |
2A |
d. |
e. |
f. |
2B |
g. |
h. |
i. |
2C |
j. |
k. |
l. |
You are already familiar with the everyday meaning of work. Working at an after-school job, doing yard work at home, and completing your homework may all be common events in your life. In science, however, “work” means something very different.
Look at the weight lifter shown in Figure 1. He is exerting a large force in order to hold the heavy barbell over his head. You can tell from the look on his face that holding up the weight is hard work. However, a scientist would tell you that at this instant the weight lifter is actually doing no work on the nonmoving barbell. Read on to learn about the work that was done to lift the barbell overhead.
Figure 1 The weight lifter applies a large force to hold the barbell over his head. However, because the barbell is motionless, no work is done on the barbell. Applying Concepts Did the weight lifter do work on the barbell to lift it over his head?
Recall that an object begins moving only when an unbalanced force acts on it. In science, work is the product of force and distance. Work is done when a force acts on an object in the direction the object moves. For example, work is done by the weight lifter when he exerts an upward force to raise the barbell over his head.
Though it may seem surprising, the weight lifter in Figure 1 does no work on the barbell as he holds it over his head. Why is that? Because although force is applied to the barbell, the force does not cause the barbell to move. For a force to do work on an object, some of the force must act in the same direction as the object moves. If there is no movement, no work is done.