Work & Energy Calculator
Instantly calculate work done in joules, power in watts, and understand the physics of force, distance, and motion.
Calculate Work Done & Power
Enter the applied force, distance moved, angle, and time to instantly calculate the mechanical work done and the power generated.
Physics Estimator
See how force, distance, and time translate into work and power.
How it Works
Understanding the physics of work
Enter Force & Distance
Input the magnitude of the push or pull (in Newtons) and how far the object moved (in meters).
Set the Angle
Specify the angle between the force vector and the direction of motion. Default is 0° (perfectly aligned).
Add Time (Optional)
Enter the time taken to complete the movement to calculate the average power output in Watts.
View Results
Instantly see the mechanical work done in Joules and the rate of energy transfer (Power) in Watts.
Essential Physics Formulas
A general overview of the core equations relating to work, energy, and power in classical mechanics.
| Concept | Formula | SI Unit | Variables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Done | W = F × d × cos(θ) | Joule (J) | F = Force, d = distance, θ = angle |
| Kinetic Energy | KE = ½mv² | Joule (J) | m = mass, v = velocity |
| Gravitational Potential Energy | PE = mgh | Joule (J) | m = mass, g = gravity (9.81 m/s²), h = height |
| Power | P = W / t | Watt (W) | W = work done, t = time |
| Power (Alternative) | P = F × v | Watt (W) | F = force, v = constant velocity |
| Work-Energy Theorem | W_net = ΔKE | Joule (J) | Net work equals the change in kinetic energy |
Work & Energy FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about physics calculations, work, energy, and power.
The formula for work done is W = F × d × cos(θ), where W is work in joules, F is the applied force in newtons, d is the distance moved in meters, and θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion.
Energy is the capacity to do work, while work is the actual transfer of energy that occurs when a force makes an object move over a distance. Both are measured in the same SI unit: the joule (J).
Yes, work can be negative. This occurs when the applied force acts in the opposite direction to the object’s motion (e.g., friction slowing down a sliding box). In this case, the angle θ is greater than 90 degrees, making the cosine value negative.
Power is the rate at which work is done. It is calculated by dividing the total work done (in joules) by the time it took to do that work (in seconds). The formula is P = W / t, and the result is measured in watts (W).