Work, Power, Energy Calculator
Work: W = F × d
Formulas
• Work: W = F × d
• Power: P = W / t
• Kinetic Energy: KE = ½mv²
About This Calculator
Work, Power, Energy Calculator is designed to reduce manual errors and give repeatable outputs when you need quick, reliable answers.
Calculate mechanical work (W = Fd), power (P = W/t), and kinetic/potential energy using physics formulas. Covers work done by a force, power output, and energy conversions for physics coursework and engineering applications.
If your workflow expands, pair this calculator with Projectile Motion Calculator and Newton's Second Law Calculator to cross-check assumptions and build a stronger analysis chain.
Formula
Work: W = F × d × cos(θ). Power: P = W / t = F × v. Kinetic Energy: KE = ½mv². Potential Energy: PE = mgh. Units: Joules (J) for work/energy, Watts (W) for power.
Example Calculation
The worked example below demonstrates how the input fields translate into the final output. Use it as a quick validation pass before entering your own numbers.
- force (N): 100
- distance (m): 50
- angle (degrees): 0
- time (s): 10
Explanation of Results
Result Interpretation
Work = 100 N × 50 m × cos(0°) = 5,000 J (5 kJ). Power = 5,000 J / 10 s = 500 W (0.5 kW). Note: only the component of force parallel to displacement does work — at 60° the same force would do 100 × 50 × cos(60°) = 2,500 J.
FAQ
What is the formula for work done by a force?
W = F × d × cos(θ), where F is the applied force in Newtons, d is displacement in meters, and θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion. Work is a scalar (no direction). When force and motion are parallel (θ=0°), W = F×d. When perpendicular (θ=90°, like carrying a bag horizontally), no work is done on the object.
What is the relationship between work and power?
Power is the rate of doing work: P = W / t (Watts = Joules per second). A 100 W lightbulb uses 100 J every second. An engine doing 10,000 J of work in 5 seconds has power = 2,000 W = 2 kW. Alternatively, P = F × v (force times velocity), useful when force and speed are known but time and distance are not.
How do kinetic and potential energy relate to work?
The work-energy theorem states that net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy: W_net = ΔKE = ½mv₂² − ½mv₁². Lifting an object does work against gravity, converting kinetic energy to potential energy: PE = mgh. When it falls, PE converts back to KE. Conservation of energy means total mechanical energy (KE + PE) is constant when only conservative forces act.
Related Calculators
Continue exploring tools in this topic cluster to improve internal discoverability and reduce orphaned workflows.
See Also
Other calculators in Mechanics