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Select a mode and enter your values to calculate force, work, or power. Results will appear here.
Calculate force (F = m·a), work (W = F·d·cos θ), and power (P = W/t). Analyze inclined planes with friction and compute work from variable forces.
Force (N) = mass × acceleration — any push or pull that changes motion.
Work (J) = force × distance × cos(angle) — energy transferred when moving an object.
Power (W) = work ÷ time — how fast work is done.
Select a mode and enter your values to calculate force, work, or power. Results will appear here.
The Force • Work • Power Calculator helps you analyze how physical effort translates into mechanical energy and rate of performance. It applies classic physics laws that describe motion, energy transfer, and system efficiency—essential for engineering, sports science, automotive design, and physics education.
Understanding these principles allows you to design motors, optimize athletic performance, calculate engine output, and predict energy requirements for mechanical systems.
This calculator provides multiple modes to solve different physics problems involving force, work, and power. Follow these steps:
Pro Tip: When the force varies across distance (e.g., spring compression, variable drag, or non-uniform applied forces), use Variable Force Integration mode for accurate work calculations. Constant force assumptions can lead to significant errors in these scenarios.
Remember: Always verify that units are consistent before calculating. Mixing SI and Imperial units without proper conversion will produce incorrect results. The calculator handles conversions automatically when you select a unit system.
The calculator presents results with detailed explanations and unit conversions. Here's how to interpret each output:
| Quantity | Symbol | Unit (SI) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Force | F | N (newton) | Push or pull on an object. 1 N accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s². Causes changes in motion (acceleration or deceleration). |
| Work | W | J (joule) | Energy transferred by force over distance. 1 J = 1 N·m. Only force component parallel to motion does work. W = 0 if force is perpendicular to motion. |
| Power | P | W (watt) | Rate of doing work (energy per time). 1 W = 1 J/s. Higher power = faster energy transfer. 1 hp = 745.7 W (common in automotive contexts). |
| Angle | θ | degrees or rad | Direction of force relative to motion. θ = 0° means force and motion aligned (maximum work). θ = 90° means perpendicular (zero work). W = Fd cos(θ). |
| Friction Coefficient | μ | — | Dimensionless resistance between surfaces. Typical values: ice ~0.05, wood on wood ~0.4, rubber on concrete ~0.7. Friction force F_f = μN. |
| Normal Force | N | N (newton) | Reaction force perpendicular to surface. On horizontal surface: N = mg. On incline: N = mg cos(α). Determines friction magnitude. |
| Required Force | Freq | N (newton) | Net force needed to move mass on incline. F_req = mg sin(α) + μmg cos(α). Includes both gravitational and frictional resistance. |
| Work (Variable Force) | Wtotal | J (joule) | Total energy via numerical integration when force varies with displacement. W ≈ Σ[(Fi + Fi+1)/2 × Δx]. More accurate than assuming constant force. |
Outputs Display:
Common questions about force, work, power, angles, friction, and variable force integration.
Learn more about force, work, and power from these authoritative physics resources:
Comprehensive physics education on work, energy, and power
Educational resource on force, motion, and Newton's laws
Georgia State University physics reference on work and energy
Official SI unit definitions from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Disclaimer: This calculator provides educational estimates based on classical mechanics principles. For professional engineering applications, consult qualified engineers and refer to relevant industry standards.
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