The Work [tex]W[/tex] done by a Force [tex]F[/tex] refers to the release of potential energy from a body that is moved by the application of that force to overcome a resistance along a path.
It should be noted that it is a scalar magnitude, and its unit in the International System of Units is the Joule. Therefore, 1 Joule is the work done by a force of 1 Newton when moving an object, in the direction of the force, along 1 meter:
[tex]1J=(1N)(1m)=Nm[/tex]
Now, when the applied force is constant and the direction of the force and the direction of the movement are parallel, the equation to calculate it is:
[tex]W=(F)(d)[/tex] (1)
When they are not parallel, both directions form an angle, let's call it [tex]\alpha[/tex]. In that case the expression to calculate the Work is:
[tex]W=Fdcos{\alpha}[/tex] (2)
For example, in order to pull the bicycle out of the garage, you have to apply a force along the distance [tex]d[/tex] to overcome the resistance of the weight of the bicycle.
In this case both (the force and the distance in the path) are parallel, so the work [tex]W[/tex] performed is the product of the force [tex]F[/tex] by the distance traveled [tex]d[/tex], as shown in equation (1).
Hence:
[tex]W=(27N)(17m)[/tex]
[tex]W=459Nm=459J[/tex]>>>>This is the work
