There is a significant difference between work and energy. Work is the transferring of an amount of energy with the help of a force covering a particular distance in a direction. Energy is also referred to as the force that works at a certain distance. Both of these can be termed scalar units. For work to occur, there must be a force and movement from one place to another.
Difference Between Work and Energy
There are basically several types of energy such as potential, kinetic energy, nuclear energy, solar energy, electrical energy, etc. Kinetic energy is when an object is in motion and potential energy is when the object is at rest. On the other hand, there is only one type of work. Both these quantities are measured in joules.
| Difference Between Work and Energy | |
| Work | Energy |
| It is described as the action done on the object causing some displacement | It is described as a property of a system or the ability to do work |
| Work = force x distance | There are various equations depending upon the types of energy |
| The components of the force are parallel to the displacement | Energy is the result of the work performed |
| If the applied force is in the same direction as the displacement, then work is positive
and if the applied force is in the opposite direction of the displacement then work is negative |
There is no direction component in energy. |
These were some differences between Work and Energy. If you wish to find out more, download BYJU’S The Learning App.
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| Thermodynamics: The study of Work, Heat and Energy | First Law of Thermodynamics and Energy Conservation |
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