Units for Work & Energy
- The formula for work is:
W = F × s
- Multiplying force and distance produces units of newton-metres (N m)
- Work is measured in joules (J)
- This leads to a simple conversion:
1 J = 1 N m
- Therefore, the number of Joules is equal to the number of newton-metres, making conversions between the units very straightforward, for example:
1000 J = 1000 N m
- One Joule is equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through one metre
Examiner Tip
You must include the correct units in your answer, forgetting to include units will lose you a mark - in the case of work, you may use either newton-metres (N m) or Joules (J)