AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
One joule of work is done when a force of one newton causes a displacement…
Full specification wording
Work done and energy transfer: One joule of work is done when a force of one newton causes a displacement of one metre.
Work is the energy transferred when a force moves an object along its line of action.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 9 of 13
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Work is the energy transferred when a force moves an object along its line of action. The defining case is simple: push with a force of 1 N and the object moves 1 m in the direction of the force, so 1 J of work is done and 1 J of energy is transferred. In general, work done = force × distance moved along the line of the force, W = F s. If the force is 6 N and the displacement is 3 m, W = 6 N × 3 m = 18 J. Only the component of displacement along the force counts; a force at right angles to the motion does no work on the object. Work is a scalar measured in joules, and it equals the energy transferred, so the joule is the newton-metre.
What earns the marks
- State that work is done when a force causes displacement along the force's line of action.
- Use W = F s, with force in newtons, displacement in metres and work in joules.
- Recognise that 1 J is transferred when 1 N moves an object 1 m in the direction of the force.
- Explain that a force perpendicular to the displacement does no work on the object.
- Calculate work from a force and a displacement, for example 6 N × 3 m = 18 J.
- Link work done to energy transfer, so the joule measures both.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Using distance travelled in any direction rather than displacement along the force.
Put it right by resolving the displacement along the force's line of action.
Forgetting to convert centimetres to metres before multiplying.
Put it right by converting to metres first, for example 50 cm = 0.50 m.
Treating work as a vector with direction.
Put it right by treating work and energy as scalars measured in joules.
Exam tips
- Write the equation W = F s, substitute values with units, then give the answer in joules.
- Check that the displacement is along the force; if the force is at 90° to the motion, the work done on the object is zero.
- Show the unit conversion step explicitly when a distance is given in cm or km.
Try the lesson
The start of the Work done and energy transfer: One joule of work is done when a force of one newton causes a displacement of one metre. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A force of 1 N moves an object 1 m in the direction of the force. How much work is done on the object?
Listen
Work is the energy transferred when a force moves an object along its line of action. The defining case is simple: push with a force of 1 N and the object moves 1 m in the direction of the force, so 1 J of work is done and 1 J of energy is transferred. In general, work done = force × distance moved along the line of the force, W = F s. If the force is 6 N and the displacement is 3 m, W = 6 N × 3 m = 18 J. Only the component of displacement along the force counts; a force at right angles to the motion does no work on the object. Work is a scalar measured in joules, and it equals the energy transferred, so the joule is the newton-metre. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that work is done when a force causes displacement along the force's line of action. Use W = F s, with force in newtons, displacement in metres and work in joules. Recognise that 1 J is transferred when 1 N moves an object 1 m in the direction of the force. Explain that a force perpendicular to the displacement does no work on the object. A common slip: Using distance travelled in any direction rather than displacement along the force. Instead, resolving the displacement along the force's line of action. Exam tip: Write the equation W = F s, substitute values with units, then give the answer in joules.
See it
Key words
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Work done
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Force and displacement
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Energy transfer
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Measurement and units
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See every definition
- Work done
- The energy transferred when a force moves an object along its line of action, measured in joules.
- Force and displacement
- Work is done when a force causes displacement along the force's line of action.
- Energy transfer
- Work done equals the energy transferred, so the joule measures both.
- Measurement and units
- Work is a scalar measured in joules, and the joule is the newton-metre.
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