Force and energy aren't exactly the same thing, but they are closely related. Please explain how.
-
they differ by one power of distance:
> (1 N) = (1 kg∙m/s²)
> (1 J) = (1 N)(1 m) = (1 kg∙m²/s²)
applying a certain force (newtons) over a certain distance (meters) requires a specific amount of energy (joules), found by multiplying the two.
> (1 N) = (1 kg∙m/s²)
> (1 J) = (1 N)(1 m) = (1 kg∙m²/s²)
applying a certain force (newtons) over a certain distance (meters) requires a specific amount of energy (joules), found by multiplying the two.
-
The other answer is correct. I like to think of the relationship in a more practical way.
Work is force acting over a distance. And work is energy. So energy is force acting over a distance. It's that simple. In math talk, we might write, E = F dot S = FS cos(theta); where E is the energy, F is the force, S is the distance, and theta is the subtended angle between F and S, which are vectors.
So one might say that energy is a force that's been somewhere. ;>}
Work is force acting over a distance. And work is energy. So energy is force acting over a distance. It's that simple. In math talk, we might write, E = F dot S = FS cos(theta); where E is the energy, F is the force, S is the distance, and theta is the subtended angle between F and S, which are vectors.
So one might say that energy is a force that's been somewhere. ;>}