1. Work in Science

2. What is work?
In science, the word work has a different meaning than you may be familiar with.
The scientific definition of work is: using a force to move an object a distance (when both the force and the motion of the object are in the same direction.)

3. Work or Not?
According to the scientific definition, what is work and what is not?
a teacher lecturing to her class
a mouse pushing a piece of cheese with its nose across the floor

4. Work or Not?
According to the scientific definition, what is work and what is not?
a teacher lecturing to her class
a mouse pushing a piece of cheese with its nose across the floor

6. What’s work?
A scientist delivers a speech to an audience of his peers.
A body builder lifts 350 pounds above his head.
A mother carries her baby from room to room.
A father pushes a baby in a carriage.
A woman carries a 20 kg grocery bag to her car?

7. What’s work?
A scientist delivers a speech to an audience of his peers. No
A body builder lifts 350 pounds above his head. Yes
A mother carries her baby from room to room. No
A father pushes a baby in a carriage. Yes
A woman carries a 20 km grocery bag to her car? No

8. Formula for work Work = Force x Distance The unit of force is newtons
The unit of distance is meters
The unit of work is newton-meters
One newton-meter is equal to one joule
So, the unit of work is a joule

9. W=FD Work = Force x Distance
Calculate: If a man pushes a concrete block 10 meters with a force of 20 N, how much work has he done?

10. W=FD Work = Force x Distance
Calculate: If a man pushes a concrete block 10 meters with a force of 20 N, how much work has he done? 200 joules
(W = 20N x 10m)

11. Work Work happens when a force moves an object over a distance.
If the object does not move, NO work is done!
(Scientifically speaking)

12. Work
Stand and hold your arms out in front of you at waist level, palms up.
Have your partner stack two books on your hands, one on each hand.
Lift the books to about shoulder level, then lower them.
Now try raising them overhead

13. Describe your observations to your partner.
Work
When your hands are overhead, are you working harder than when you raised them to shoulder level?
Describe your observations to your partner.

14. Describe your observations to your partner.
Work
Have your partner put two more books on each of your hands, so you’re holding four books. Try to raise them to shoulder level.
Are you pushing harder (using more force) than when you were holding only two books?
Describe your observations to your partner.

15. Describe your observations to your partner.
Work
Hold the four books at shoulder level until your arms get tired. Are you exerting force?
Do you think you are doing work in these situations? What is the work being done on?
Describe your observations to your partner.

16. You have 5 objects on your table.
Work
You have 5 objects on your table.
Use the spring scale and a meter stick to find the force needed to move each object one meter.