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Parallel-Force Work & Average Power

Relate positive-duration average power to work from a constant force acting along a displacement.

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How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the known values in the units shown. Results update as you type.
  2. Where results are editable, change one to solve backwards. Lock a value to hold it fixed.
  3. Use the worked example to check the method. Reset restores the starting fields.

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Formula and method

A constant parallel force of 50 N acting through 3 m does 150 J of work. Over 5 seconds, the average power is 30 W.

Work = constant parallel force × displacement; average power = work ÷ elapsed time

Worked example

Enter these known values and leave the other values blank.

Parallel force magnitude
50 N
Displacement along the force
3 m
Elapsed duration
5 sec
Positive work
150 J
Average power
30 W

Assumptions and limitations

  • This model assumes a constant force parallel to and in the same direction as displacement. Force, displacement, work and power are nonnegative, and duration is positive.
  • For an oblique force, work is Fd cos θ. Opposing forces can do negative work; that signed general case is outside this magnitude-only tool.
  • Power is an average over the supplied duration, not necessarily instantaneous power or a motor’s electrical input. Efficiency is not included.
  • The month unit is a fixed 30.4375 days and the year a fixed 365.25 days. They are duration conventions rather than calendar intervals.
  • Mechanical horsepower uses 550 foot-pounds-force per second. BTU per hour uses the International Table BTU convention.

Common questions

What changes if the force is not parallel?

Only the force component along displacement contributes to work. This tool assumes that parallel component has already been supplied.

Can zero work give zero average power?

Yes, provided elapsed time is positive. A zero duration cannot be used to divide work into an average power.

References

The power unit uses the International Table BTU per hour consistently with the reviewed energy convention. Mechanical horsepower uses exactly 550 foot-pounds-force per second instead of a rounded factor.

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