Work, Energy and Power Calculator
Compute work, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy and power in a single tool.
Work (W = F·d·cos θ)
Kinetic & Potential Energy
Formulas
Kinetic energy: KE = ½ · m · v²
Potential energy:PE = m · g · h
Power: P = W / t
How to use
- Enter force, distance and the angle between them for work.
- Enter mass, velocity and height for KE and PE.
- Time is used to compute power from the work you just calculated.
Physics explanation
Work is the mechanical transfer of energy. When a force acts on an object and the object moves, work equals force times the component of displacement along the force direction. The 'cos θ' accounts for forces that aren't perfectly aligned with the motion. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion; potential energy is stored by position in a gravitational field. Power is how quickly energy is transferred — it's what your electricity meter measures.
Worked example
F = 50 N, d = 10 m, θ = 0°, t = 5 s, m = 2 kg, v = 3 m/s, h = 4 m
W = 50·10·cos 0° = 500 J KE = ½·2·3² = 9 J PE = 2·9.80665·4 ≈ 78.45 J P = 500 / 5 = 100 W
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FAQs
What is work in physics?
The energy transferred when a force acts over a distance.
What is the difference between energy and power?
Energy is the total capacity to do work. Power is the rate at which work is done.
Can work be negative?
Yes — when force and displacement are in opposite directions.