Energy is an important idea in physics. It’s all about the ability to do work. To really get it, we need to understand what work means and how it connects to energy.

What is Work?

Work happens when a force makes something move over a distance.

You can figure out how much work is done with this formula:

Work (W) = Force (F) × Distance (d) × cos(θ)

Here’s what the letters mean:

• F is the force you use (measured in Newtons).
• d is how far the object moves (measured in meters).
• θ is the angle between the force and the direction the object is moving.

What is Energy?

Energy is the ability to do work. It comes in different types, like:

• Kinetic energy (the energy of moving things)
• Potential energy (stored energy based on position)
• Thermal energy (heat)

In a closed system, energy is conserved. This means energy can't be created or destroyed, but it can change forms or move around.

Different Types of Energy

1. Kinetic Energy: This is the energy of things that are moving. You can calculate it using the formula: KE = 1/2 mv²

   • m is the mass of the object (in kilograms).
   • v is its speed (in meters per second).

2. Potential Energy: This is the energy that is stored, depending on where an object is. You can find this using the formula: PE = mgh

   • m is the mass of the object.
   • g is the pull of gravity (about 9.81 m/s²).
   • h is the height of the object (in meters).

How Energy and Work are Related

Energy and work are closely linked. When you do work on an object, its energy changes. If you apply force and move the object, its energy increases. On the other hand, if the object does work on something else, it uses up some of its energy.

Both work and energy are measured in joules (J).

Remember: 1 J = 1 N × 1 m

So, understanding energy helps us to grasp many important ideas in physics and shows how work and energy are connected.