Work Calculator
Find the mechanical work done by a force acting over a distance at any angle.
N
m
°
0.5 kJ
0.1195 kcal
Formula
Examples
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| F = 50 N, d = 10 m, θ = 0° | W = 500 J |
About this calculator
In physics, work is done when a force moves an object through a distance. It is calculated as W = F × d × cos(θ), where F is the force in newtons, d is the displacement in metres and θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion. The result is in joules (J).
The cosine term means only the component of force along the direction of motion does work. When the force is fully aligned with the movement (θ = 0°), cos(θ) = 1 and work is maximised. When the force is perpendicular to the motion (θ = 90°), no work is done at all — which is why carrying a load horizontally at constant height does zero mechanical work.
Frequently asked questions
Work equals force times distance times the cosine of the angle between them: W = F·d·cos(θ), measured in joules.
Only the part of the force that points along the direction of motion does work. The cos(θ) factor extracts that component, so a perpendicular force (θ = 90°) does no work.
Yes. If the angle exceeds 90°, cos(θ) is negative, meaning the force opposes the motion and removes energy — for example, friction doing negative work.
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