Physics
Work lifting a mass
The force needed is the weight, mass times gravity, and the distance is the height gained.
The Formula
W = m x g x h
The force needed is the weight, mass times gravity, and the distance is the height gained.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| W | Work | joules | Energy needed to raise the mass. |
| m | Mass | kilograms | Mass being lifted. |
| g | Gravity | m/s^2 | About 9.81 metres per second squared on Earth. |
| h | Height | metres | Vertical distance gained. |
What Each Symbol Means
Wjoules
Work
Energy needed to raise the mass.
mkilograms
Mass
Mass being lifted.
gm/s^2
Gravity
About 9.81 metres per second squared on Earth.
hmetres
Height
Vertical distance gained.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate work page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Work, filed under Science. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.