How is work done calculated?

Work done is calculated as the product of the force applied to an object and the distance over which that force is applied, provided the force is in the direction of the motion. This relationship can be expressed with the formula:

[ \text{Work} = \text{Force} \times \text{Distance} ]

When a force causes an object to move, the work done is directly related to how far the object travels in the direction of the applied force. For example, if you push a box across a floor, the amount of work you do increases with both the force of your push and the distance that the box moves.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the calculation of work done. Force multiplied by time does not correlate with work; it is related to impulse or momentum. Adding force and distance is not a valid operation in physics, as they measure different quantities and cannot be summed in this manner. Finally, dividing distance by time gives the speed of an object, not work. Thus, the correct understanding and calculation of work done hinges on the product of force and the distance moved in the direction of that force.