The C. G. S. (or absolute) unit of work is called the erg. It is the work done in moving a free body one centimeter against a force of one dyne. The work of lifting one gram one centimeter against the force of gravity is 980 ergs. A footpound is about 13,560,000 ergs. (a.) The definition of erg points out the fact that work equals force multiplied by distance.