Which of the following variables is not required for calculating work?

To determine work, the key factors that need to be considered are the force applied to an object, the distance over which that force is applied, and the direction of the force relative to the direction of motion. The fundamental formula for calculating work is given by:

[ \text{Work} = \text{Force} \times \text{Distance} \times \cos(\theta) ]

where ( \theta ) is the angle between the force and the direction of movement.

Force is essential because, without it, there would be no effort exerted on the object to produce displacement. Distance is also crucial, as work can only be done over a distance; without displacement, work cannot occur. The direction of the force is important as it affects the effective component of the force that does work in the direction of displacement.

In contrast, mass is not a direct factor in the calculation of work. While mass may influence the force due to gravity (as in the case of weight), it does not directly enter the work equation. Therefore, it can be concluded that mass is not a required variable for calculating work in the basic sense. Hence, this is why it is the correct choice among the options provided.