Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
External work refers to work done on or by an object as a result of external forces acting on it. These forces can change the object's energy by transferring or transforming it.
Related terms
Internal Forces: Internal forces are forces exerted between objects within a system. In collisions, internal forces are responsible for changes in momentum and kinetic energy.
Net Work: Net work is the total amount of work done on or by an object when multiple forces act upon it. It takes into account both external and internal forces.
The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred or transformed from one form to another. In other words, the total energy in a closed system remains constant over time.