According to the work-energy principle, what happens when work is done on an object?

The work-energy principle states that when work is done on an object, it results in a change in the object's kinetic energy. This principle provides a direct relationship between the work performed and the kinetic energy of the object. Specifically, if a net force does work on an object, the kinetic energy of that object will change according to the amount of work done.

For instance, if a person pushes a stationary object, they perform work on it, which causes the object to accelerate and gain velocity, thus increasing its kinetic energy. Conversely, if an object is already in motion and an opposing force does work on it (like friction), this can lead to a decrease in kinetic energy, indicating that the work-energy principle applies regardless of whether the work done is positive or negative.

In contrast, while maintaining potential energy can be a factor in various scenarios concerning energy transfers, it does not describe the primary effect of work done on an object through the work-energy principle. Additionally, mass is inherently invariant for a given object under classical mechanics; work performed does not change the mass of an object. Lastly, work done does not inherently lead to a decrease in velocity; it can cause an increase or change, depending on the forces acting on the object.