⚡ Work and Power Calculator
Calculate work and power
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Force
Input the force applied in Newtons (N). This is the magnitude of the force doing the work. For example, lifting a 10 kg object requires about 98 N (10 kg × 9.81 m/s²), or pushing with 100 N of force.
Enter Distance
Enter the distance over which the force is applied in meters (m). This is the displacement in the direction of motion. For example, lifting an object 5 m high, or pushing a box 10 m across the floor.
Enter Time
Enter the time taken to do the work in seconds (s). This is how long it took to apply the force over the distance. For example, lifting an object in 2 seconds, or pushing a box in 5 seconds. Time cannot be zero.
Calculate Work and Power
Click the "Calculate" button to compute both work and power. The calculator first calculates work (W = Fd), then calculates power (P = W/t). Work is in Joules, power is in Watts.
About Work and Power Calculator
The Work and Power Calculator computes both the work done and the power required when a force moves an object over a distance in a given time. Work is the energy transferred (W = Fd), while power is the rate at which work is done (P = W/t). This calculator is useful for understanding both the total energy transferred and how quickly that energy transfer occurs.
When to Use This Calculator
- Physics Problems: Solve work and power problems simultaneously
- Mechanical Engineering: Calculate work and power requirements for machines
- Performance Analysis: Understand both energy and rate of energy transfer
- Design Applications: Size motors and engines based on work and power needs
- Educational Purposes: Learn the relationship between work, power, force, distance, and time
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Dual Calculations: Calculates both work and power in one step
- ✅ Step-by-Step Formulas: Shows both calculation processes
- ✅ Accurate Calculations: Uses standard physics formulas
- ✅ Instant Results: Get both values immediately
- ✅ Free to Use: No registration or payment required
Understanding Work and Power
Work is the energy transferred when a force acts over a distance (W = Fd), measured in Joules. Power is the rate at which work is done (P = W/t), measured in Watts (Joules per second). The same amount of work can be done with different power—doing work quickly requires more power, while doing it slowly requires less power. For example, lifting 100 kg by 2 m requires the same work (1960 J) whether you do it in 1 second (1960 W) or 10 seconds (196 W), but the power differs greatly.
Formula
W = F × d
P = W / t
Where:
- W = Work (Joules)
- F = Force (Newtons)
- d = Distance/Displacement (meters)
- P = Power (Watts)
- t = Time (seconds)
Example Calculation:
For a force of 100 N, distance of 10 m, and time of 5 s:
W = 100 × 10 = 1000 J
P = 1000 / 5 = 200 W
If the same work is done in 2 seconds:
P = 1000 / 2 = 500 W (more power needed for faster work)
Important Note: This calculator assumes the force is parallel to the displacement (angle = 0°). For forces at an angle, use the Work Calculator which accounts for the angle between force and displacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between work and power?
Work is the total energy transferred (W = Fd), measured in Joules. Power is the rate at which work is done (P = W/t), measured in Watts (Joules per second). Work tells you how much energy was transferred, while power tells you how quickly it was transferred. The same work can be done with different power—doing it faster requires more power.
Why does time affect power but not work?
Work depends only on force and distance—the total energy transferred is the same regardless of how long it takes. Power depends on time because it's the rate of doing work. If you do 1000 J of work in 1 second, power is 1000 W. If you do the same 1000 J in 10 seconds, power is only 100 W. The work is the same, but the power (rate) differs.
How are work and power related?
Power is work divided by time: P = W/t. This means power is directly proportional to work and inversely proportional to time. If you double the work done in the same time, power doubles. If you do the same work in half the time, power doubles. Power can also be expressed as P = F × v (force times velocity) when force and velocity are constant.
Does this calculator account for the angle between force and displacement?
This calculator assumes the force is parallel to displacement (angle = 0°), so it uses W = Fd. For forces at an angle, use the Work Calculator which uses W = Fd cos(θ). If your force is not parallel to motion, the actual work will be less than Fd because only the parallel component does work.
What are typical work and power values?
Typical values: lifting a 10 kg object 1 m requires 98 J of work; if done in 1 second, power is 98 W. A person walking might do 50-100 W of work, running 300-500 W. A car engine might produce 100,000 W (100 kW) of power. A light bulb uses 60-100 W of power continuously. The calculator helps you understand both the energy (work) and rate (power) for any situation.