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'Work' as defined in physics is the displacement of a material object from its original position by the application of a force in the direction of that force. In other words, in order for work to be performed in the strict physical sense, the body must move through space in the direction of the force. No work is performed if the object does not move in a particular direction through space. Movement through space in a definite direction therefore is necessary in the performance of work in the strict physical sense. While the body is moving through space, energy is being transferred. So a secondary definition of 'work' is the transfer of energy through the motion of a body. This idea parallels the ordinary definition of the word 'work' in the sense of 'activity for a purpose that requires physical or mental exertion'. Not all activity is work even in the general sense. The activity must have a goal or purpose, that is a 'direction' in order for it to be considered 'work'. Play therefore cannot be considered 'work' since it has no definite direction or purpose other than that of amusement or recreation. Nevertheless, play is an activity since there is some movement of the body or some transfer of energy. And sleep cannot be considered 'work' since there is no movement of the body at all although the body continues to work internally through the repair and rejuvenation of cells and tissues and also through the circulation of blood by the contraction and relaxation of the heart. So 'work' therefore is defined as the transfer of energy by the motion or activity of a body toward a particular direction, purpose, or goal.

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Related Questions

In physics work is defined as?

Force times distance


What is the unit for work and how is it defined in the context of physics?

The unit for work in physics is the joule (J). Work is defined as the transfer of energy that occurs when a force is applied to an object and it moves in the direction of the force.


How is work defined as the transfer of energy in the context of physics?

In physics, work is defined as the transfer of energy that occurs when a force is applied to an object and causes it to move in the direction of the force.


How is work defined in the context of physics?

In physics, work is defined as the transfer of energy that occurs when a force is applied to an object and it moves in the direction of the force. Work is calculated by multiplying the force applied to an object by the distance it moves in the direction of the force.


What is the ability to do work and how is it defined in the context of physics?

In physics, the ability to do work is defined as energy. Energy is the capacity of a system to perform work, which is the transfer of energy from one object to another. Work is done when a force is applied to an object and it moves in the direction of the force.


What is the ability to do work and how is it defined in the field of physics?

In physics, the ability to do work is defined as energy. Energy is the capacity of a system to perform work, which is the transfer of energy from one system to another. Work is done when a force acts on an object and causes it to move in the direction of the force.


What term is defined as mathmatical equations based on rules of physics?

work = force x distance time = distance : time power = work : time force = ?


What is the relationship between work and energy in physics?

Work done on an object is the transfer of energy to or from that object. Energy can be defined as the capacity to do work. In physics, work and energy are interconnected concepts where work is the transfer of energy from one system to another.


What is the meaning physics?

Based on the etymology of the word, physics can be defined in the following way: "Physics is the episteme of Nature, and Nature (Φύσις) is the phenomenon of spontaneous appearance and evolution." See Georgios Choudalakis' work on this at: http://www.mit.edu/~gchouda/miscellanea/physics/Physics_etymology.pdfBased on the etymology of the word, physics can be defined in the following way: "Physics is the episteme of Nature, and Nature (Φύσις) is the phenomenon of spontaneous appearance and evolution." See Georgios Choudalakis' work on this at: http://www.mit.edu/~gchouda/miscellanea/physics/Physics_etymology.pdf


How is the term 'work' defined in physics?

Work is transferred energy that results when a force is applied to a body causing it to be displaced along the line of force.


Power is defined as what?

Power is the possession of controlling influence. In physics, power is the rate at which work is performed or energy is converted.


What is the operational definition of work in physics?

In physics, work is defined as the transfer of energy that occurs when a force is applied to an object and the object moves in the direction of the force. Mathematically, work is calculated as the product of the force applied to an object and the displacement of the object in the direction of the force.