This definitions covers Key Definitions within Work Done & Energy Transfer for GCSE Physics. Revise Work Done & Energy Transfer in Forces for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 6 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 6 of 13 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
📖 Key Definitions
Work done: The energy transferred when a force moves an object through a distance in the direction of the force. W = Fs. Unit: Joules (J).
1 Joule: The work done when a force of 1 Newton moves an object 1 metre in the direction of the force.
Energy transfer: Work done by a force always transfers energy from one store to another. Work done = energy transferred (in Joules).
Power: The rate of doing work (or transferring energy). P = W/t. Unit: Watts (W). 1 W = 1 J/s.
Elastic potential energy: Energy stored in a stretched or compressed object. For a spring: Ep = ½ke² where k is spring constant and e is extension.
Practice questions for Work Done & Energy Transfer
Which equation correctly represents work done?
Explain what is meant by 'work done' in physics. Include the conditions required for work to be done.