Work

Summary
This lesson introduces students to the concept of work in physics.

Objectives
• To be able to write the equation used to solve for work.

• To be able to determine how much work is being done when force and distance are known.

• To be able to list some of the units of measurement for work.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
While we use the word ?work? frequently in everyday language, physics uses the term more specifically. In physics, work only happens when something is being moved.

If you are holding an apple in your hand and you are not moving it, the apple is pushing down on your hand at the same rate that your hand is pushing up on the apple. The apple is not moving, and the downward push of the apple on your hand is equal to the upward push of your hand on the apple. Therefore, no work is being done, because nothing is being moved.

Continued...