work done
What work done means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of work done
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
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Reference: OCR
Calculated with W = F × s, where force is in newtons and distance moved in metres along the line of action of that force, giving the answer in joules (J).
Energy transferred by a force, and in a circuit the source does it pushing charge round the loop while the charge does it passing through each component.
Measures the energy transferred when a force moves an object, calculated as force in newtons multiplied by distance in metres, in joules.
Braking force multiplied by braking distance, so a smaller force means the distance must be larger.
Equal to braking force × braking distance, and must equal the kinetic energy of the vehicle.
The transfer of energy by a force moving its point of application through a distance.
Topics that use work done
- Energy transfers in everyday appliances (AQA GCSE)
- Factors affecting braking distance 1 (AQA GCSE)
- Factors affecting braking distance 2 (AQA GCSE)
- Increasing the pressure of a gas (physics only) (HT only) (AQA GCSE)
- Newton's laws (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- Force, mass and acceleration
- friction
- Kinetic energy
- balanced forces
- brake overheating
- braking force
- changing direction
- charge flow
Using work done in the exam
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