[TeMPOraL]

"Work" is the weird thing in physics, I'd say is about as opposite to intuitive as you can get when introducing a concept. It's only intuitive when considering lifting an object - say, a bag of groceries. Heavier the bag, higher the lift -> more work. But then you carry that heavy bag a couple kilometers, arrive at home exhausted, only to be told by the physics teacher that you did exactly 0 work. Or in fact negative work, if upon coming home, you put the bag down.

I understand the concept myself somewhat intuitively now, but that intuition is not connected to everyday experience - it's just familiarity with a detached concept of physics!work that just is what it is, but is consistent in being that.

[anon84873628]

Well, a good physics teacher might note the difference between external work on the gravitational field, versus the internal thermodynamic work of the human body. Which could lead to a quick discussion of how muscles are a dynamic system depending on constant activation of actin & myosin (and therefore consumption of ATP) as opposed to a static elastic system like a piece of metal.

Very intuitive analogy is that running an engine in neutral burns fuel, but doesn't do work to move the car forward.