Utilnaro

Work, energy and power

Mechanical work

Calculate work, force, or displacement when a constant force acts in the direction of motion.

Formula

W=F×s W = F × s

For a constant force parallel to displacement, mechanical work equals force multiplied by displacement.

Mechanical work calculator

What do you want to calculate?

Known values

The result updates automatically.

Force parallel to displacement
FsW ?
  • Work: value being calculated (?)
  • Force: known value
  • Displacement: known value

Result

200 J

Substitution and calculation

W = F × s = 50 N × 4 m = 200 J

Symbols and units

SymbolQuantitySISupported units
Wmechanical workEnergy transferred by the force over the stated displacement.JJ, kJ
FforceConstant force component acting along the displacement.NN, kN
sdisplacementDistance travelled in the direction of the force.mm, cm, km

Formula rearrangements

Calculate work

W = F × s

Calculate force

F = W / s

Calculate displacement

s = W / F

Worked examples

Work done while pulling a load

A constant 250 N force moves a load 12 m in the same direction. Calculate the work.

  1. 1Step 1: Use W = F × s.
  2. 2Step 2: Substitute F = 250 N and s = 12 m.
  3. 3Step 3: Multiply to obtain 3000 J, or 3 kJ.

Result: 3000 J = 3 kJ

Displacement from work and force

A machine performs 18 kJ of work with a constant force of 600 N. Find the displacement.

  1. 1Step 1: Convert 18 kJ to 18,000 J.
  2. 2Step 2: Use s = W / F.
  3. 3Step 3: Divide 18,000 by 600 to obtain 30 m.

Result: 30 m

Sources and review