work done in thermodynamics

In thermodynamics, work is the energy transfer that occurs when a force moves an object or causes a change in the system's configuration, such as stretching a spring or moving a piston. It differs from heat transfer, which is energy transferred due to temperature differences. For example, when a gas expands in a cylinder and pushes a piston outward, the work done is the energy used to move the piston. Essentially, work represents how energy can be converted into motion or a change in shape within a system, playing a key role in processes that involve energy transfer and transformation.