In physics, work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and the displacement of the object in the direction of the force. Mathematically, work is represented by the equation W = Fd, where W is the work done, F is the force applied, and d is the displacement of the object.
Work is a scalar quantity, which means it has only magnitude and no direction. It is typically measured in joules (J), which is the unit of work in the International System of Units (SI). One joule is the work done when a force of one newton (N) is applied to an object and causes it to move a distance of one meter (m) in the direction of the force.
There are several types of work that can be done on an object, including:
Positive work: Positive work is work that is done on an object when the force applied is in the same direction as the displacement of the object. For example, if you push a box across a floor, you are doing positive work on the box.
Negative work: Negative work is work that is done on an object when the force applied is in the opposite direction to the displacement of the object. For example, if you lift a box off the floor and then place it back down, you are doing negative work on the box.
Zero work: Zero work is work that is done on an object when the force applied is perpendicular to the displacement of the object. For example, if you push a box sideways across a floor, you are doing zero work on the box.
Non-conservative work: Non-conservative work is work that is done on an object and cannot be recovered or returned to the system. For example, when you lift a box off the floor, you do work on the box, but some of the work is lost as heat due to the friction between the box and the floor.
Conservative work: Conservative work is work that is done on an object and can be recovered or returned to the system. For example, when you lift a box off the floor and then place it back down, the work you do on the box can be recovered when you lower the box back to the floor.