What is the term for the ability of a force to cause an object to move?

The correct term for the ability of a force to cause an object to move is work. In physics, work is defined as the process of energy transfer that occurs when an object is moved a certain distance by an external force. Specifically, work is calculated as the product of the force applied to an object and the distance over which that force is applied, in the direction of the force. Therefore, when a force causes an object to move, it is performing work on that object.

Understanding this concept is fundamental, as it relates directly to how forces interact with objects. For instance, if you push a box across the floor, you are doing work on the box because you are applying a force over a distance.

In contrast, energy refers to the capacity to do work or cause change within a system, while momentum is a measure of an object's motion, dependent on its mass and velocity. Power, on the other hand, is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred over time. Thus, work specifically identifies the interaction where a force results in the movement of an object.