

The key difference between work and heat is that work is the ordered motion in one direction whereas heat is the random motion of molecules. Work and heat are interrelated however there are some differences between them as well. Work and heat are concepts that we use in both physics and chemistry. The below infographic on difference between work and heat gives a more detailed comparison. Moreover, heat is a form of energy, while work is a method of transferring energy. Furthermore, work is a function of the path, but heat is a function of state.Īs another important difference between work and heat, we can prove that work can be totally converted to heat, but heat cannot be 100% converted to work. Work is the amount of energy transferred by a force acting through a distance while heat is a form of energy. What is the Difference Between Work and Heat?

Thus, this shows that we can convert heat into work, and vice versa.
#Workdone with differenet pressure plus
It states that the heat supplied to a system is equal to the internal energy increment of that system plus the work done by the system on the surrounding. The first law of thermodynamics is about the conservation of energy. In a constant pressure situation, the work done is P.ΔV, where P is the pressure and ΔV is the change in volume.
#Workdone with differenet pressure generator
In thermodynamics, when we say work, we usually refer is to the pressure work, because the internal or external pressure is the force generator that does the work. The SI unit of work is Joule, named in the honour of the English physicist James Joule. For a conservative force field, we can take the work done as a function of the state. We can prove that the work depends on the path taken, which means work is a function of the path. Therefore, work done is different.įigure 01: Work done during moving the object “s” distance with “F” Force If the distance the object travels when we take it on a certain path is, s, the work done by friction on the box is F.s, (considering only the scalar values). For given points A and B, an infinite number of paths exist between them, therefore, there are infinitely many routes to take the box from A to B. Consider an object that we drag on a rough surface. Work is a scalar quantity, which means there is only a magnitude to work, a direction is not present. In physics, we define work as the amount of energy transferred by a force acting through a distance. Side by Side Comparison – Work vs Heat in Tabular Form Theories of heat and work have a huge significance in thermodynamics, motor mechanics and machinery. Both heat and work are concepts of energy. With these two concepts cleared, classical thermodynamics became one of the “completed” fields in physics. The quest to understand work and heat goes way back. Work and heat are highly interrelated to each other but they are not quite the same. Work and heat are the two most important concepts of thermodynamics. If the line joining A and B is horizontal, what is the work done on the object by the gravitational force? Explain your answer.The key difference between work and heat is that work is the ordered motion in one direction whereas heat is the random motion of molecules. What is the work done by the force of gravity on the object?Ī mass of 10 kg is at a point A on a table. The initial and the final points of the path of the object lie on the same horizontal line. Is force of friciton positive, negative or zero work?Īn object thrown at a certain angle to the ground moves in a curved path and falls back to the ground. When force acts opposite to direction of motionĪngle made between direction of force and direction of motion is 180 degree Work Done when Force Acts opposite to Direction of Motion Since angle between force and distance is 90 degree Here, Force is appled in vertical directionīut luggage is carried in horizontal direction
