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A system can possess energy but it cannot possess work. Why?

User RoyRumaner
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1 Answer

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20 votes

There are different types of energy a system can possess. For example, kinetic energy, when the system has speed, or potential energy, when the system is at a certain height from the ground level.

Work is the amount of energy used when a certain force is applied in a certain distance.

Since a system cannot have a "distance", it's impossible to "have work" stored. The work is performed, using the system energy for something.

User Zheoni
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