Work is a force that causes a change in the acceleration or velocity of an object. A force is a vector quantity, meaning it has both a magnitude and a direction. A force of zero magnitude does no work, regardless of the state of an object. However, if a force is applied to an object at a specific location, the force will cause the object to change direction. This change in direction results in the displacement of the object.
In simple terms, work is done on an object when a force is applied over a distance. Work affects the microscopic properties of the object, including temperature. The first scientific study of work was carried out in 1843, which ultimately led to the field of thermodynamics. While work transfers energy to an object, heat simply adds heat. While both are important, they have a fundamental difference. Let’s look at these differences and how they affect the concept of work.
In order for a company to truly redefine work, it must reimagine processes, environments, leadership, management, compensation systems, and human capital practices. This is not a rigid process, but a journey toward a new vision of work. But if the goal is to achieve the future of work, it must start by identifying and defining the key drivers of its future. For example, how do companies measure their employee engagement? Are they rewarded for the work they do?
Work is the result of an external force. In simple terms, work is the force that moves an object over a distance. In other words, the amount of energy a force transfers depends on the amount of force that is applied to the object and the distance it travels. The equation for work is: work = force x distance. For example, if you are holding a heavy book and turning a combination lock, you’ll need to exert 10 N of force per square meter of distance in order to move the book across a rough surface. That would equal thirty minutes of work.
Positive displacement is considered a positive work. The ball falling toward earth, for example, has positive displacement. If a force is applied at 90 deg, this is positive work. The same is true for a force at 180 deg. Similarly, friction is a negative work. Friction acts on an object, resulting in negative work. Hence, the force experienced by an object moving perpendicular to the force has zero effect.
Another unit for work is the joule. The unit of work is defined as the product of force and displacement. In physics, work is measured in SI units called joules. One joule equals one newton force per one metre of displacement. However, the amount of work performed by a force on an object depends on the size of the object. The smaller the object, the greater the displacement will be. There are many units of work and each unit represents a different aspect of the force’s effect.