Calculate the work done by a force with W = F · d · cosθ — enter force, distance and the angle between them, or solve for force or distance. Work is measured in joules.
Work is energy transferred when a force moves an object. It equals the force times the distance moved times the cosine of the angle between them: W = F d cosθ. Only the component of force along the motion does work.
When force and motion are aligned (θ = 0), W = F d. A force perpendicular to motion (θ = 90°) does no work — which is why gravity does no work on a satellite in a circular orbit. Work is measured in joules (N·m).
Work done is W = F d cosθ — force times distance times the cosine of the angle between the force and the direction of motion. With aligned force it simplifies to W = F d.
Add the work done by each force, or use the net force along the displacement. By the work–energy theorem, the total work equals the change in kinetic energy.
Because cos90° = 0. A force perpendicular to the motion has no component along the displacement, so it transfers no energy — like the tension holding an object in circular motion.
The joule (J), equal to one newton-metre (N·m) — the same unit as energy.