Work Calculator
Work calculator
Compute mechanical work using force, displacement, and optional angle.
Result
1,800 J
Uses W = F × d × cos(theta).
Physics signal
Advanced options
Flow
- Enter force magnitude, displacement, and angle.
- Keep units consistent in N and meters.
- Read work output in joules, with sign reflecting force direction component.
Example
Worked example: 100 N over 5 m at 60°
- 1 W = 100 × 5 × cos(60°)
- 2 cos(60°) = 0.5
- 3 W = 250 J
Mechanical work is 250 J.
How
- Enter force magnitude, displacement, and angle.
- Keep units consistent in N and meters.
- Read work output in joules, with sign reflecting force direction component.
Avoid
- Using degrees when your cosine function expects radians elsewhere.
- Ignoring the sign when angle exceeds 90 degrees.
- Mixing centimeters and meters without conversion.
Checks
Best fit
Work Calculator is built for calculate mechanical work from force, displacement, and force angle. If Work Calculator does not match the input scope, compare the answer with a second method.
Input check
Match the entered values to this rule before copying the answer: W = F × d × cos(theta).
Sanity check
For Work Calculator, use the worked example as a quick benchmark: Mechanical work is 250 J. If the work calculator answer is far away, check whether an input, unit, or mode changed.
Before copying
Review this common issue first: using degrees when your cosine function expects radians elsewhere.
FAQ
Can work be negative?
Yes, when force opposes displacement, calculated work is negative.
What if angle is zero?
Then cosine is 1 and work equals force times displacement.
Is this translational work only?
Yes, this formula models translational mechanical work.
Switch
Switch12
No match.