Work is the product of the component of the force in the direction of the displacement and the magnitude of this displacement.
Mathematically,
W = (F cos θ) d = F. d
- W is the work done by the force.
- F is the force, d is the displacement caused by the force
- θ is the angle between the force vector and the displacement vector
Work done by a force applied on a body is:
- When the direction of motion of the body and the force acting in the same direction, work done is positive.
- When the direction of motion of the body and the force acting on the body is opposite, work done is negative.
- When the force is acting at a right angle to the direction of motion of the body, work done is zero.