Work is really important for saving energy, and it can be understood through something called the work-energy theorem. This idea tells us that the work done on an object changes its energy of motion, known as kinetic energy.

What is Work and Energy?

• Work ($W$): This is the energy we transfer when we push or pull something. We can think of it like this: if we apply a force ($F$) over a distance ($d$), we will do work. The formula for work is $W = F \cdot d \cdot \cos(\theta)$. In this formula, $\theta$ is the angle between the direction we’re pushing and the direction the object moves.

• Kinetic Energy ($KE$): This is the energy something has when it is moving. We can figure it out with this formula: $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$. Here, $m$ is the weight of the object, and $v$ is how fast it’s going.

Example:

Imagine you push a box. When you do this work, you make the box move faster, which means you’re giving it more kinetic energy.

If the box eventually stops, it doesn’t lose that energy. Instead, it changes into other types of energy, like heat, because of friction.

So, work is really linked to how we save and use energy!