What is defined as the physical or mental effort put into performing a task?

The term that best describes the physical or mental effort put into performing a task is "Work." In a general sense, work refers to the exertion of energy to accomplish a specific goal or task. When discussing human effort, this can encompass both physical actions, such as lifting, pushing, or assembling, as well as mental tasks, such as problem-solving or planning. In the context of physics, work is also defined mathematically as the product of force and the distance over which the force is applied, reinforcing its association with effort.

While power, energy, and torque are related concepts in physics and engineering, they do not serve as direct definitions of effort in this context. Power refers to the rate of doing work or the amount of work done per unit of time. Energy is a broader term that refers to the capacity to do work or produce heat. Torque is specifically related to rotational force and does not encompass the broader application of effort in tasks. Thus, "Work" is the most appropriate response when identifying the effort applied in various activities.