Work Done and Energy Transfer

This lesson covers work done and its relationship to energy transfer, using the equation $W = Fd$W=Fd, as required by the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification (1SC0). Work done is one of the most frequently examined calculations in the physics papers.

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What Is Work Done?

Work is done when a force causes an object to move. The amount of work done equals the amount of energy transferred.

$W = Fd$W=Fd

where:

• W = work done in joules (J)
• F = force in newtons (N)
• d = distance moved in the direction of the force in metres (m)

Quantity	Unit	Symbol
Work done	joule	J
Force	newton	N
Distance	metre	m

Key Points