What is the primary factor that affects the amount of work done on an object?

The primary factor that affects the amount of work done on an object is indeed the distance the object moves. Work is defined in physics as the product of the force applied to an object and the distance over which that force is applied, as long as the force and the movement are in the same direction. The equation for 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 motion. When an object moves a greater distance while a constant force is applied, the work done increases proportionally. Hence, distance plays a crucial role in calculating the total work accomplished.

While factors such as the mass of the object or the speed at which it is moved may influence the force required to perform the work, they do not change the fact that work primarily depends on the force exerted over a specific distance. Time is not directly a factor in the calculation of work, although it can influence how quickly work is done, but not the total work itself.