In high school physics, I learned that the equation for energy from moving something is a factor of force and displacement. So if an object remains stationary, then no matter how much force is put into it, no energy is expended.

So how come if I hold a heavy box filled with dumbbells, I get tired? I'm obviously putting a lot of newtons into it to keep it from falling, but it's not moving. So how is the weight of the object causing Me to expend energy?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[โ€“] 2 points 1 month ago

Energy is not movement. Kinetic energy comes from movement (half mv squared!)

You need to account for thermal, chemical, potential, elastic potential, electric, etc. energies

Energy is being expended as your muscles are working against the force of gravity to hold the object up!

  • source