Energy vs. Force — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 13, 2024
Energy is the capacity to do work, manifesting in forms like kinetic or potential, while force is an interaction that changes the motion of objects.
Difference Between Energy and Force
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Energy is a fundamental concept in physics, representing the capacity to perform work or produce change, existing in various forms such as kinetic, potential, thermal, chemical, and more. On the other hand, force is an interaction between objects that can cause a change in motion, characterized by its strength and direction, and is measured in newtons (N) in the International System of Units (SI).
While energy is conserved in a closed system and can be transformed from one form to another, force acts as the agent of change, causing objects to accelerate, decelerate, or change direction. Energy's conservation principle states that in an isolated system, the total energy remains constant, whereas the application of force directly influences the state of motion of objects according to Newton's laws of motion.
Energy can be quantified by the work done by or on a system, involving the force applied over a distance, whereas force itself is quantified by the mass of an object and the acceleration it undergoes. This distinction underscores the integral role of force in the transfer or transformation of energy within physical systems.
The concept of energy is central to understanding the dynamics of physical systems without necessarily specifying the forces involved, focusing on the system's ability to do work or cause change. Conversely, force is more concerned with the specifics of interactions that lead to changes in motion or shape of objects, offering a detailed look at the mechanics of change.
In practical applications, energy considerations are crucial for designing systems that are efficient and sustainable, such as in engineering and environmental science, highlighting the system's capacity for work and energy transformation. Force, however, is essential in the detailed analysis and design of structures, machinery, and technologies that involve physical interactions and movements, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing forces for safety and functionality.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Capacity to do work or cause physical change.
Interaction that changes an object's motion.
Units
Joules (J)
Newtons (N)
Forms
Kinetic, potential, thermal, chemical, etc.
Applied, gravitational, frictional, etc.
Conservation
Conserved in a closed system.
Not conserved, but can be balanced.
Role in Physics
Quantifies the ability to perform work.
Causes acceleration or deformation.
Compare with Definitions
Energy
Energy from electric charges.
Batteries store electrical energy.
Force
Resistance opposing motion.
Brakes apply frictional force to stop a car.
Energy
Energy related to temperature.
A cup of hot coffee has thermal energy.
Force
Force applied by an object on another.
Pushing a door applies an applied force.
Energy
Energy due to motion.
A moving car has kinetic energy.
Force
Force transmitted through a string or rope.
A hanging picture is held by the tension force in the wire.
Energy
Stored energy due to position.
A raised weight possesses potential energy.
Force
Support force on objects.
A book on a table experiences a normal force from the table.
Energy
Energy stored in chemical bonds.
Gasoline contains chemical energy.
Force
Attraction between masses.
The Earth exerts gravitational force on objects.
Energy
In physics, energy is the quantitative property that must be transferred to a body or physical system to perform work on the body, or to heat it. Energy is a conserved quantity; the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed.
Force
In physics, a force is any influence that, when unopposed, will change the motion of an object. A force can cause an object with mass to change its velocity (which includes to begin moving from a state of rest), i.e., to accelerate.
Energy
The capacity for work or vigorous activity
Who has the energy to climb that trail?.
Force
Strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement
He was thrown backwards by the force of the explosion
Energy
Also energies Exertion of vigor or power
A project requiring a great deal of time and energy.
Devoted her energies to writing songs.
Force
Coercion or compulsion, especially with the use or threat of violence
They ruled by law and not by force
Energy
Vitality and intensity of expression
A speech delivered with energy and emotion.
Force
Mental or moral strength or power
The force of popular opinion
Energy
(Informal) A nonphysical force or quality perceived as inhering in a particular place, person, or situation
Was turned off by the group's negative energy.
Force
An organized body of military personnel or police
A British peacekeeping force
Energy
Usable heat or power
Each year Americans consume a high percentage of the world's energy.
Force
A waterfall.
Energy
A source of usable power, such as petroleum or coal.
Force
Make a way through or into by physical strength; break open by force
The back door of the bank was forced
Energy
The capacity of a physical system to do work.
Force
Make (someone) do something against their will
The universities were forced to cut staff
She was forced into early retirement
Energy
A form, amount, or level of this capacity
"a searing beam of 30 trillion protons, with energies up to 50 million electronvolts" (Science News).
Force
The capacity to do work or cause physical change; energy, strength, or active power
The force of an explosion.
Energy
The impetus behind all motion and all activity.
Force
Power made operative against resistance; exertion
Use force in driving a nail.
Energy
The capacity to do work.
Force
The use of physical power or violence to compel or restrain
A confession obtained by force.
Energy
(physics) A quantity that denotes the ability to do work and is measured in a unit dimensioned in mass × distance²/time² (ML²/T²) or the equivalent.
Force
Intellectual power or vigor, especially as conveyed in writing or speech.
Energy
An intangible, modifiable force (often characterized as either 'positive' or 'negative') believed in some New Age religions to emanate from a person, place or thing and which is (or can be) preserved and transferred in human interactions; shared mood or group habit; a vibe, a feeling, an impression. aura.}}
Force
Moral strength.
Energy
The external actions and influences resulting from an entity’s internal nature (ousia) and by which it is made manifest, as opposed to that internal nature itself; the aspect of an entity that can affect the wider world and be apprehended by other beings.
Force
A capacity for affecting the mind or behavior; efficacy
The force of logical argumentation.
Energy
A measure of how many actions a player or unit can take; in the fantasy genre often called magic points or mana.
Action points
Force
One that possesses such capacity
The forces of evil.
Energy
Internal or inherent power; capacity of acting, operating, or producing an effect, whether exerted or not; as, men possessing energies may suffer them to lie inactive.
The great energies of nature are known to us only by their effects.
Force
A body of persons or other resources organized or available for a certain purpose
A large labor force.
Energy
Power efficiently and forcibly exerted; vigorous or effectual operation; as, the energy of a magistrate.
Force
A person or group capable of influential action
A retired senator who is still a force in national politics.
Energy
Strength of expression; force of utterance; power to impress the mind and arouse the feelings; life; spirit; - said of speech, language, words, style; as, a style full of energy.
Force
Military strength.
Energy
Capacity for performing work.
Force
A unit of a nation's military personnel, especially one deployed into combat
Our armed forces have at last engaged the enemy.
Energy
(physics) the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs;
Energy can take a wide variety of forms
Force
A vector quantity indicating the strength and direction of the capacity to accelerate a body. Newton's second law of motion states that a free body accelerates in the direction of the net force and that its acceleration is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to its mass.
Energy
An exertion of force;
He plays tennis with great energy
Force
See fundamental force.
Energy
Enterprising or ambitious drive;
Europeans often laugh at American energy
Force
(Baseball) A force play.
Energy
An imaginative lively style (especially style of writing);
His writing conveys great energy
Force
To compel through pressure or necessity
I forced myself to practice daily. He was forced to take a second job.
Energy
A healthy capacity for vigorous activity;
Jogging works off my excess energy
He seemed full of vim and vigor
Force
To gain by the use of force or coercion
Force a confession.
Energy
The federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the United States; created in 1977
Force
To move or effect against resistance or inertia
Forced my foot into the shoe.
Force
To inflict or impose relentlessly
He forced his ideas upon the group.
Force
To put undue strain on
She forced her voice despite being hoarse.
Force
To increase or accelerate (a pace, for example) to the maximum.
Force
To produce with effort and against one's will
Force a laugh in spite of pain.
Force
To use (language) with obvious lack of ease and naturalness.
Force
To move, open, or clear by force
Forced our way through the crowd.
Force
To break down or open by force
Force a lock.
Force
To rape.
Force
To induce change in (a complex system) by changing one of its parameters
Greenhouse gases that force the earth's climate.
Force
(Botany) To cause to grow or mature by artificially accelerating normal processes.
Force
To put (a runner) out on a force play.
Force
To allow (a run) to be scored by walking a batter when the bases are loaded.
Force
(Games) To cause an opponent to play (a particular card).
Force
Strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigour; might; capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect.
The force of an appeal, an argument, or a contract
Force
Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion.
Force
(countable) Anything that is able to make a substantial change in a person or thing.
Force
A physical quantity that denotes ability to push, pull, twist or accelerate a body and which has a direction and is measured in a unit dimensioned in mass × distance/time² (ML/T²): SI: newton (N); CGS: dyne (dyn)
Force
Something or anything that has the power to produce a physical effect upon something else, such as causing it to move or change shape.
Force
(countable) A group that aims to attack, control, or constrain.
Reinforcemented increased the American force in the area to 9,000
Police force
Force
(uncountable) The ability to attack, control, or constrain.
Show of force
Force
(countable) A magic trick in which the outcome is known to the magician beforehand, especially one involving the apparent free choice of a card by another person.
Force
(legal) Legal validity.
The law will come into force in January.
Force
(legal) Either unlawful violence, as in a "forced entry", or lawful compulsion.
Force
Ability of an utterance or its element (word, form, prosody, ...) to effect a given meaning.
Force
|often|capitalized}}Star Wars A metaphysical and ubiquitous power from the fictional Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. See usage note.
Force
Synonym of police force
Force
A waterfall or cascade.
Force
(transitive) To violate (a woman); to rape.
Force
To exert oneself, to do one's utmost.
Force
(transitive) To compel (someone or something) to do something.
Force
(transitive) To constrain by force; to overcome the limitations or resistance of.
Force
(transitive) To drive (something) by force, to propel (generally + prepositional phrase or adverb).
Force
(transitive) To cause to occur (despite inertia, resistance etc.); to produce through force.
The comedian's jokes weren't funny, but I forced a laugh now and then.
Force
(transitive) To forcibly open (a door, lock etc.).
To force a lock.
Force
To obtain or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress.
Force
To create an out by touching a base in advance of a runner who has no base to return to while in possession of a ball which has already touched the ground.
Jones forced the runner at second by stepping on the bag.
Force
(whist) To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit that he/she does not hold.
Force
(archaic) To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce.
Force
(archaic) To provide with forces; to reinforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison.
Force
(obsolete) To allow the force of; to value; to care for.
Force
To stuff; to lard; to farce.
Force
To stuff; to lard; to farce.
Wit larded with malice, and malice forced with wit.
Force
To constrain to do or to forbear, by the exertion of a power not resistible; to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means; to coerce; as, masters force slaves to labor.
Force
To compel, as by strength of evidence; as, to force conviction on the mind.
Force
To do violence to; to overpower, or to compel by violence to one's will; especially, to ravish; to violate; to commit rape upon.
To force their monarch and insult the court.
I should have forced thee soon wish other arms.
To force a spotless virgin's chastity.
Force
To obtain, overcome, or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress; as, to force the castle; to force a lock.
Force
To impel, drive, wrest, extort, get, etc., by main strength or violence; - with a following adverb, as along, away, from, into, through, out, etc.
It stuck so fast, so deeply buried layThat scarce the victor forced the steel away.
To force the tyrant from his seat by war.
Ethelbert ordered that none should be forced into religion.
Force
To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce.
What can the church force more?
Force
To exert to the utmost; to urge; hence, to strain; to urge to excessive, unnatural, or untimely action; to produce by unnatural effort; as, to force a conceit or metaphor; to force a laugh; to force fruits.
High on a mounting wave my head I bore,Forcing my strength, and gathering to the shore.
Force
To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit of which he has none.
Force
To provide with forces; to reënforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison.
Force
To allow the force of; to value; to care for.
For me, I force not argument a straw.
Force
To use violence; to make violent effort; to strive; to endeavor.
Forcing with gifts to win his wanton heart.
Force
To make a difficult matter of anything; to labor; to hesitate; hence, to force of, to make much account of; to regard.
Your oath once broke, you force not to forswear.
I force not of such fooleries.
Force
To be of force, importance, or weight; to matter.
It is not sufficient to have attained the name and dignity of a shepherd, not forcing how.
Force
A waterfall; a cascade.
To see the falls for force of the river Kent.
Force
Capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect; strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigor; might; often, an unusual degree of strength or energy; especially, power to persuade, or convince, or impose obligation; pertinency; validity; special signification; as, the force of an appeal, an argument, a contract, or a term.
He was, in the full force of the words, a good man.
Force
Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion; as, by force of arms; to take by force.
Which now they hold by force, and not by right.
Force
Strength or power for war; hence, a body of land or naval combatants, with their appurtenances, ready for action; - an armament; troops; warlike array; - often in the plural; hence, a body of men prepared for action in other ways; as, the laboring force of a plantation; the armed forces.
Is Lucius general of the forces?
Force
Strength or power exercised without law, or contrary to law, upon persons or things; violence.
Force
Any action between two bodies which changes, or tends to change, their relative condition as to rest or motion; or, more generally, which changes, or tends to change, any physical relation between them, whether mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic, or of any other kind; as, the force of gravity; cohesive force; centrifugal force.
Thy tears are of no force to mollifyThis flinty man.
More huge in strength than wise in works he was.
Adam and first matron EveHad ended now their orisons, and foundStrength added from above, new hope to springOut of despair.
Force
A unit that is part of some military service;
He sent Caesar a force of six thousand men
Force
One possessing or exercising power or influence or authority;
The mysterious presence of an evil power
May the force be with you
The forces of evil
Force
(physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity;
Force equals mass times acceleration
Force
Group of people willing to obey orders;
A public force is necessary to give security to the rights of citizens
Force
A powerful effect or influence;
The force of his eloquence easily persuaded them
Force
An act of aggression (as one against a person who resists);
He may accomplish by craft in the long run what he cannot do by force and violence in the short one
Force
Physical energy or intensity;
He hit with all the force he could muster
It was destroyed by the strength of the gale
A government has not the vitality and forcefulness of a living man
Force
A group of people having the power of effective action;
He joined forces with a band of adventurers
Force
(of a law) having legal validity;
The law is still in effect
Force
To cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :
She forced him to take a job in the city
He squeezed her for information
Force
Urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
Force
Move with force,
He pushed the table into a corner
Force
Impose or thrust urgently, importunately, or inexorably;
She forced her diet fads on him
Force
Squeeze like a wedge into a tight space;
I squeezed myself into the corner
Force
Force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically;
She rammed her mind into focus
He drives me mad
Force
Do forcibly; exert force;
Don't force it!
Force
Cause to move along the ground by pulling;
Draw a wagon
Pull a sled
Force
Take by force;
Storm the fort
Common Curiosities
Can energy be created or destroyed?
No, according to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
Is force always visible?
Not always; some forces, like gravitational or magnetic forces, act at a distance without direct physical contact.
What is force?
Force is an interaction between objects that changes their motion or shape, measured in newtons.
How are energy and force related?
Force can cause changes in energy by doing work on objects, transforming energy from one form to another.
How does friction affect force?
Friction opposes motion, requiring more force to move an object or slowing it down.
What are some examples of energy transformation?
Examples include a car engine converting chemical energy into kinetic energy or a solar panel transforming solar energy into electrical energy.
What unit is used to measure force?
Force is measured in newtons (N), where 1 N is the force required to accelerate 1 kg of mass by 1 meter per second squared.
What are potential and kinetic energy?
Potential energy is stored energy due to position, while kinetic energy is energy due to motion.
How does gravity relate to force and energy?
Gravity is a force that can do work, transferring potential energy to kinetic energy, as in a falling object.
What is energy?
Energy is the capacity of a system to perform work or produce changes, existing in forms like kinetic or potential.
How is energy measured?
Energy is measured in joules (J), representing the amount of work done or heat transferred.
What role does force play in motion?
Force causes acceleration or deceleration, changing an object's speed or direction of motion.
Why is energy important in physics?
Energy explains how systems interact and change, offering a fundamental perspective on the dynamics of the universe.
What determines the strength of a force?
The strength of a force depends on the objects' masses (for gravitational forces), their charge (for electromagnetic forces), or the amount of physical interaction (for applied forces).
Can force exist without energy?
No, applying a force typically involves transferring or transforming energy.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
