Calculating Work and Power
Calculating Work and Power
The total amount of work is equal to the force applied times a distance.
Power on the other hand is the rate at which work is done. We can calculate power
using this formula: P = W/ t.
The amount of power is equal to the amount of work divided by the time it takes to get
the work completed.
Cover the unit you are trying to find to get your formula. Finally, make sure you use the
correct units.
______________________________________________________________________
W=Fxd P = W/ t
F = W/ d W=Pxt
D = W/ t t = W/ P
Name: ____________________
B. Find the formula, substitute your values, and then solve the equation.
1. F = 120 Newtons Formula: _________________________________
d = 2 meters Substitution: ______________________________
W=? Answer with unit of measurement: _________________
I. Work
Solve the following equations:
1. F = 20 N 2. F = 6 N 3. W = 120 J
d=5m W = 36 J d = 20 m
W = ________ d = ________ F = ________
4. If a group of workers can apply a force of 500 Newtons to move a crate 20 meters,
what amount of work will they have accomplished?
5. If 80 Joules of work were necessary to move a 5 Newton box, how far was the box
moved?
6. How much work is done in holding your books, 1 meter off the ground while standing
and waiting 10 minutes for your bus?
II. Power
Find the formula, substitute your values, and then solve the equation.
1. W= 200 Joules Formula: _________________________________
t = 25 seconds Substitution: ______________________________
P=? Answer with unit of measure: _________________
4. W = 50 J 5. W = 500 J 6. P = 40 W
t = 10 s P = 25 W t=5s
P = ________ t = _______ W = ________
7. How much time is needed to produce 900 Joules of work if 120 watts of power is
used?
9. A crane does 300 Joules of work in 6 seconds. What power was used?
CHALLENGE
10. A group of people move a large box that weighs 90 Newtons, 10 meters in 20
seconds, how much power was used?
11. A person weighing 200 N gets on an elevator. The elevator lifts the person 6 m in 8
seconds. How much power was used?