How is work done on an object calculated?

Work done on an object is defined as the product of the force applied to the object and the distance over which that force is applied. This relationship is derived from the basic principles of physics, specifically Newton's laws of motion. When a force acts upon an object and causes it to move, work is performed, and it is quantified by multiplying the magnitude of the force by the distance moved in the direction of the force.

In practical terms, if you push an object across a surface, the work done is directly related to how hard you push (the force) and how far the object travels (the distance). It’s important to note that the direction of the force and the movement must be the same for work to be done; if they are at an angle, only the component of the force in the direction of the movement is considered.

The other options refer to different physical concepts: mass and height relate to potential energy, energy and time is not a standard formula used for calculating work, and velocity and time relate to distance rather than work directly. Thus, the correct way to calculate work done on an object remains force multiplied by distance.