Ch 5: Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 5: Work and Machines
About This Chapter
How It Works:
- Identify the lessons in the Glencoe Work and Machines chapter with which you need help.
- Find the corresponding video lessons within this companion course chapter.
- Watch fun videos that cover the work and machines topics you need to learn or review.
- Complete the quizzes to test your understanding.
- If you need additional help, rewatch the videos until you've mastered the material or submit a question for one of our instructors.
Students will learn:
- The characteristics, meaning and examples of work
- How work is done by variable force
- How to apply the work-energy theorem
- The definition and mathematics behind power
- The pulley, lever, inclined plane and other simple machines
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1. Work: Definition, Characteristics, and Examples
Pushing a wall all day may feel like work, but unless you get that wall moving you're not doing any work according to the rules of physics. In this video lesson, you'll learn how work is defined as well as how to calculate the amount of work done on an object.

2. Work Done by a Variable Force
Doing work on an object is a simple concept: we apply a certain force over a certain distance. But in real life, that force is rarely constant. Therefore, we need to understand variable forces and be able to calculate them accurately.

3. Work-Energy Theorem: Definition and Application
Work and energy are closely related in physics. In this lesson, you'll learn what that relationship is as well as how we can apply it to various situations.

4. Power: Definition and Mathematics
Work involves moving an object with a force, but power tells us how quickly that work is done. In this lesson, you will learn about how power depends on both work and time as well as see examples of how to calculate power.

5. What Are Simple Machines? - Definition, Types & Examples
If you need to move or lift a heavy object, it would be wise to use a simple machine. Though these devices are far from fancy or high-tech, they are extremely helpful for getting work done.

6. Simple Machines: Lever, Inclined Plane & Pulley
Discover what a simple machine is and how it operates. Then learn about the mechanical advantages various simple machines such as levers, inclined planes and pulleys give us.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Glencoe Physical Science: Online Textbook Help course
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 1: The Nature of Science
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 2: Motion
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 3: Forces
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 4: Energy
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 6: Thermal Energy
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 7: Electricity
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 8: Magnetism and Its Uses
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 9: Energy Sources
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 10: Waves
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 11: Sound
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 12: Electromagnetic Waves
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 13: Light
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 14: Mirrors and Lenses
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 15: Classification of Matter
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 16: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 17: Properties of Atoms and the Periodic Table
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 18: Radioactivity and Nuclear Reactions
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 19: Elements and Their Properties
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 20: Chemical Bonds
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 21: Chemical Reactions
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 22: Solutions
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 23: Acids, Bases, and Salts
- Glencoe Physical Science Chapter 24: Organic Compounds