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Work requires displacement

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 2 of 20 on Physics for Aviation. ACS element AM.I.J.K1 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONTwo people push against a small aircraft that is stuck in the snow for several minutes, but the aircraft does not move. In the mechanical sense, how much work have they done?

  1. AAn amount equal to the force applied times the time spent
  2. BAn amount equal to their force times the aircraft weight
  3. CNone, since nothing was displaced
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. None, since nothing was displaced

  • A — incorrect Time is a factor in power, not in work. Work depends on force and distance, and here the distance moved is zero.
  • B — incorrect Weight is not part of the work formula. Work equals force times the distance through which the object is displaced, and the aircraft was not displaced.
  • C — correct Work is done only when a resistance is overcome by a force acting through a measurable distance. With no movement, no work has been accomplished, no matter how hard or how long they pushed.

BACKGROUND

In the mechanical sense, work is done when a resistance is overcome by a force acting through a measurable distance. Two factors are required: a force and movement through a distance. The formula is Work = Force × distance, and in the English system the units are foot-pounds or inch-pounds. The handbook's own example is a small aircraft stuck in the snow: two men push for a period of time, but because the aircraft does not move, no work has been done by definition.

STUDY TIP

Whenever a question describes force with no displacement, remember that the technical definition of work yields zero, regardless of effort or time.

KEY POINTS

  • Work = Force × distance
  • Both force and movement through a distance are required
  • Pushing against an object that does not move accomplishes no work

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-30B ch05 "Work"
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SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-30B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – General, 14 CFR part 43 and part 65. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.