What did you observe in the video? There were a lot of people throwing water balloons. Was that work? In everyday life when people talk about work, they are referring to doing things at school, at home, or at their place of employment. Work can mean a lot more than that.

Look at the following scenarios and determine which one is work and which two are not. Use a science journal to draw a diagram of what's happening in each scenario and your explanation for why you believe it is or is not work.

Scenario A
Jorge holds his pet gerbil, Oscar, in his hand. Jorge continues to hold Oscar at the same height as he walks into the next room. Did Jorge do work on the object (Oscar)? Why or why not?

Scenario B
Amanda pushed her baby sister in a stroller across the living room. Is Amanda doing work on the stroller? Why or why not?

Scenario C
Kim's dad hands her a piece of wood to carry to the wood pile. Is Kim doing work on the piece of wood? Why or why not?

Do you have your choice from the Explore: What's Work? section made? Which one involved work being done on an object? Watch the video below and see if you chose the correct scenario that represented work being done on an object. 

Oops! Don't forget about the water balloon fight. Was work being done on the water balloons? Think about that as well while you watch the video.

Work can easily be calculated and is measured in joules (J).

Work = (force) (distance)

This formula is usually seen as W = Fd
 

Let's go back to our water balloon fight. If Jun throws a water balloon to Beatriz, he should be doing work. Jun applied 10 N of force and the water balloon traveled 3 meters. How much work was done on the water balloon?

Work = (force) (distance)
Work = (10 N) (3 m)
Work = 30 J

Jun did 30 J of work on the water balloon.
Wow! Who knew a water balloon fight could be so scientific?

Now you know what work really is. What if something else is added to the mix? What effect would a ramp have on how much work is done on an object? Complete the Which is More Work? investigation from the "Related Items" section below to determine whether more work is done with a ramp or without.

Sports activities are great places to see work happen. Think about football, soccer, tennis, or golf. In each of these sports, a force is applied to an object and an object moves in the direction of the force. Work can be fun! Watch the video below about baseball, and then consider the other possibilities for where work occurs!