What is the general term for the ability to do work?

• A. Energy
• B. Power
• C. Force
• D. Momentum

Answer: (A)

Energy is the general term for the ability to do work. Work is the transfer of energy that occurs when a force moves an object over a distance, so energy is the capacity that enables that transfer to happen. Energy comes in many forms, such as kinetic energy in moving objects or potential energy stored in stretched springs or chemical energy in fuels. When energy changes form, the total amount stays the same in a closed system, which is the idea of energy conservation.

Power is about how fast work is done, the rate of energy transfer. Force is what causes changes in motion, but it’s not a measure of the ability to do work by itself. Momentum describes motion (mass times velocity) and is especially relevant in collisions, but it isn’t the general term for the capacity to perform work.