What is the Difference Between Workdone and Energy?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between work and energy lies in their definitions and applications.
Work is the transfer of an amount of energy with the help of a force covering a particular distance in a direction. It is described as the action done on an object causing some displacement. Work is calculated using the formula: Work = force x distance. For work to occur, there must be a force and movement from one place to another. There is only one type of work, and it is measured in joules.
Energy, on the other hand, is a property of a system or the ability to do work. It is described as the force that works at a certain distance. Energy can be stored and measured in many forms, such as potential, kinetic, nuclear, solar, electrical, etc. Kinetic energy is when an object is in motion, and potential energy is when the object is at rest. Energy is the result of the work performed, and there is no direction component in energy.
Some key differences between work and energy include:
- Work is the action done on an object causing displacement, while energy is a property that can be transferred or converted.
- Work is calculated using the formula Work = force x distance, while there are various equations depending on the types of energy.
- Work has a single type, while there are various types of energy, such as potential, kinetic, nuclear, solar, electrical, etc..
- For work to occur, there must be a force and movement from one place to another, while energy deals with the capacity of an object to do work.
In summary, work is the transfer of energy when a force causes an object to move, while energy is a property that can be transferred or converted and is the capacity of an object to do work.
Comparative Table: Workdone vs Energy
The difference between work done and energy can be understood through the following table:
| Feature | Work Done | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Work done is the energy transferred by a force when it acts upon an object, calculated as the force multiplied by the displacement of the object. | Energy is the capacity to do work, and it can exist in various forms, such as kinetic energy, potential energy, and thermal energy. |
| Calculation | Work done (W) can be calculated using the formula $$W = Fd\cos\theta$$, where F is the force, d is the displacement, and θ is the angle between the force and the displacement. | Energy (E) can be calculated using various formulas depending on the type of energy, such as kinetic energy ($$Ek = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$$), potential energy ($$Ep = mgh$$), and thermal energy ($$E_{thermal} = q = mc\Delta T$$). |
| Relationship | Work done is a measure of the energy transferred to or from a system, and it can change the internal energy and external work of a system. | Energy is a measure of the capacity to do work, and it is conserved in a closed system. The total energy of a system is the sum of its kinetic and potential energies. |
In summary, work done is the energy transferred by a force when it acts upon an object, and it can change the internal energy and external work of a system. Energy is the capacity to do work, and it exists in various forms, such as kinetic energy, potential energy, and thermal energy. The total energy of a system is conserved in a closed system.
- Power vs Work
- Momentum vs Energy
- Energy vs Force
- Energy vs Matter
- Calories vs Energy
- Work vs Heat
- Energy vs Enthalpy
- Kinetic Energy vs Potential Energy
- Light Energy vs Heat Energy
- Electrical Energy vs Electrical Power
- Energy vs Exergy
- Law of Conservation of Matter vs Energy
- Conservation of Energy vs Momentum
- Static Energy vs Kinetic Energy
- Mechanical Energy vs Thermal Energy
- Energy Efficiency vs Energy Conservation
- Electric Potential vs Electric Potential Energy
- Gravitational Potential Energy vs Potential Energy
- Heat Dissipated vs Work Accomplished