Work (also known as mechanical energy) is the transfer of energy from one object to another, especially in order to make an object move. It is defined as the product of the force applied and the distance over which the force is applied, and is measured in the same units as energy (joule per meter), as found in the SI system.
It is important to note that work only occurs when the object being moved is displaced in some way. This is a fundamental concept, and it will often be illustrated by drawing an arrow between the object’s position before and after the motion has occurred. If the force is only applied to the object for a brief moment, or if it is only applied in a direction parallel to the displacement, no work is done.
A simple example is a child pushing a truck across the ground. The movement of the truck as it moves along its path is an example of work, but the girl’s attempt to keep the truck from moving may also be considered to have been work, depending on how hard she tried and how long for.
The concept of work can be applied to other situations as well. A batsman hitting a ball, an airplane flying through the sky, a bicycle travelling along the road, a worker building a house, a mechanic working on a car, and even a traveller carrying luggage to his car are examples of work.
Work is important to humans, and it can be thought of in different ways depending on the context. For example, some people seek intellectual challenge in their jobs and find that it gives them a sense of achievement and self-worth. These people might be more interested in a job that provides these kinds of challenges than others, and they might have a hard time understanding how other people can enjoy work that is not challenging enough for them.
Other people might view a fulfilling career as something that involves making a contribution to society and helping others, which is something that many people feel that they need in their lives. This type of work could include any type of service, whether it is teaching children in school, caring for the elderly in a nursing home, or donating blood for medical research.
Still other people might find fulfillment in doing something that provides a physical challenge, such as sports or construction. It is important to realize that the benefits one gets from work can vary as the person’s life stages change. For example, the intellectual challenge that some might seek in a job might not be as important once that person becomes a parent. Likewise, the feeling of accomplishment that can be gained from physically challenging work might diminish as one becomes older. Nevertheless, it is essential to find a way to get the most value possible out of your work. Ideally, that will be the case for both the person doing the work and those who receive the benefit of the work.
