What is Work and energy: Definition and 333 Discussions

In physics, work is the energy transferred to or from an object via the application of force along a displacement. In its simplest form, it is often represented as the product of force and displacement. A force is said to do positive work if (when applied) it has a component in the direction of the displacement of the point of application. A force does negative work if it has a component opposite to the direction of the displacement at the point of application of the force.
For example, when a ball is held above the ground and then dropped, the work done by the gravitational force on the ball as it falls is equal to the weight of the ball (a force) multiplied by the distance to the ground (a displacement). When the force F is constant and the angle between the force and the displacement s is θ, then the work done is given by:




W
=
F
s
cos


θ



{\displaystyle W=Fs\cos {\theta }}
Work is a scalar quantity, so it has only magnitude and no direction. Work transfers energy from one place to another, or one form to another. The SI unit of work is the joule (J), the same unit as for energy.

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  1. Shivam

    What is the kinetic energy of the block when it is moved 2cm.

    My attempt at the solution... I only have problem in solving part a) 1) i calculated the spring force actingbon the table block and it is greater than the frictionnand tension force acting in the opposite direction, so by that the block will move in left. 2) now i found that which forces are...
  2. Hawkingo

    Why there is a negative sign in the formula of calculating work done?

    $$W = - \int _ { a } ^ { b } \vec { F } \cdot d \vec { r }$$ ( The Force here is referring to the applied force, When moving a positive charge towards another positive charge(stationary) / field In this formula why there is a negative sign in the formula? I am not asking the sign of the total...
  3. patric44

    What is the direction of work in this figure?

    iam not sure of the direction of work , is it positive becouse pulleys change the direction of the force ? or is it negative because of the arrow that indicates the direction of acceleration ??!
  4. Eucliwood

    Work done on an object given a variable mass

    I was just doing some review on my physics lecture and I stumble on the idea of what if there was an object hanging and the cord mass is also included in the weight and it's displaced upward without having velocity nor time hypothetically and the cord change mass. I tried solving it by W = fΔx...
  5. Emilyyyyyyyyy

    Calculate the impact force when falling from a height

    To find vx vx = dx/t = 3.86 m/1.5 s= 2.573 m/s To find Ek Ek = ½mvx²= ½(79.4)(2.573)²= 262.8 J W = FnetΔd Fnet = 262.8 J/ 3.86 m = 68 N He hits him with a force of 68N
  6. F

    Maximum displacement in mass spring system

    Homework Statement A block is suspended by an ideal spring of the force constant K. If the block is pulled down by applying a constant force F and if maximum displacement of the block from its initial position of rest is X then, find the value of X. Homework Equations mg + F = XK + K(mg/K)...
  7. A

    What is the work done on cart by the string?

    Homework Statement A cart of mass M1 = 6 kg is attached to a block of mass M2 = 3 kg by a string that passes over a frictionless pulley. The system is initially at rest and the table is frictionless. After the block has fallen a distance h = 1 m: What is the work Ws done on the cart by the...
  8. Np14

    Energy Equation for a Roller Coaster on a Full Circular Loop

    Homework Statement What is the energy equation for a roller coaster already in motion from the ground with to the top of a full circular loop = point B in the image. My question is would the car still have kinetic energy at the top of the loop? Homework Equations Kinetic Energy Equation...
  9. T

    Shooting bullets, work & power

    Homework Statement When bullets are shot on Superman, they bounce off of his chest. 100 Bullets will be shot on his chest per minute, each with a mass of 9g and v= 1000m/s. Assume that the bullets will bounce off elastically back in x-direction. a) What is the average power of all of the...
  10. T

    Kinetic energy & Conservation of energy

    Homework Statement You are driving with your car (of total mass: 1.2tonnes) with a speed of v=50km/h, until you see an obstacle. a) What is the kinetic energy of the car? b) When you start to brake, there is still 15m until the obstacle. What must be the size of the friction coefficient (µ)...
  11. S

    Homework help: Work and Energy, Free fall

    Homework Statement A 200 kg object moves at 10 m/s at 20m (vertically). It falls to a height of 5 m. Find the new speed. Homework Equations vf²=vi²+2ad The Attempt at a Solution vf²=(10m/s)²+2(9.8m/s²)(15m) vf=19.8m/s To find the distance for the new speed I did 20-5, but I'm not sure it's...
  12. S

    Homework help: Work and Energy: Spring

    Homework Statement A .5 kg loaded toy (spring k=8000 n/m) loaded toy is compressed .05 m and fired on a flat surface a) Find the new speed it was released with b) If it approaches a hill find the maximum height it can climbHomework Equations KE=1/2kx² KE=1/2mv² PE=1/2kx^2 The Attempt at a...
  13. T

    Finding the Work of a spring and friction with a changing angle

    Homework Statement We shot a projectile with mass ##m## and velocity ##v_0## with angle ##\phi## it collide with a box with mass ##M## at the maximum height of its path. Then, they both start to move with another speed. (We define ##t=0## at this time) (Completely Inelastic Collision). The box...
  14. T

    Question about the Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem - Pulling a cart

    Homework Statement Question from Fundamentals of Physics (Halliday, Resnick, Walker) This figure below shows a cord attached to a cart that can slide along a frictionless horizontal rail aligned along an x axis. The left end of the cord is pulled over a pulley, of negligible mass and friction...
  15. S

    Find the speed of an object using work and energy

    Homework Statement An object with mass 100 kg moved in outer space. When it was at location < 9,-24,-4 > its speed was 3.5 m/s. A single constant force < 250,400,-170 > N acted on the object while the object moved from location < 9,-24,-4 > m to location < 15,-17,-8 > m. Then a different single...
  16. V

    Problem in understaning potential energy

    Homework Statement If we lift a block with constant velocity, by applying a force mg upwards, is the work done zero?Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution The work done must be zero as the resultant force is zero, what I don't understand is how does the block get potential energy if no...
  17. babaliaris

    Pendulum Work: Calculating the Net Force and Work Done

    I know that I'm rushing too much but I wanted to see if I can calculate the work of a pendulum that does oscillation with a similar way you calculate the work of a spring. Consider the following free body diagram: Things i noticed: 1) The position is changing both in x and y-axis while the...
  18. P

    Work: I am having problem determining the elongation in spring

    Homework Statement A spring has been attached to an object which is kept on the ground. The spring is initially in its natural length: 'l' when a force 'F' is applied on it. The force 'F' slowly pulls the object so it does not attain any acceleration. There's a point 'P' on the line which is...
  19. navneet9431

    How could the block A move to the left corner?

    Homework Statement See question number 5. Homework Equations F=m*a W=F*s Uniform acceleration motion equations The Attempt at a Solution Actually,I am having some difficult understanding the problem. See the F.B.D of the system, see the friction is acting on the block in the forward...
  20. Cardinalmont

    Work Lifting Things With and Without Torque

    If I lift a 1kg broom stick 1m when holding it from its center of mass, I will have done 9.8J of work and the broomstick would have gained 9.8J of potential energy. If I were instead to lift it from one end I would have to exert a much larger force due to torque. Lifting this same 1kg broomstick...
  21. navneet9431

    Problem in calculating work done?

    Homework Statement See question number 3 Homework Equations Work Done="integral" F*ds The Attempt at a Solution I tried to solve this question using integration, I have replaced F with "1" and ds with "t^2+2t". So I am stuck in at that step. Please help me differentiate it further or solve...
  22. Eduardo Leon

    Hi, help me to check my answers, dynamics, energy and work

    Homework Statement Whats is the final speed of the second box(mass = 1kg) when the first one (mass = 5 kg) has descended a distance equal to 0.6 meters in the rough ramp inclined 60° respect the x axis. Consider the spring is compressed a length x = 0.2 meters. The second box is tied to the...
  23. D

    Problem with solving for force constant k of spring?

    The question is stated as the following: When a 3.60 kg object is placed on top of a vertical spring, the spring compresses a distance of 2.83 cm. What is the force constant of the spring? The correct answer was acquired by using the equation F = mg = -kx, where k is the spring constant and x...
  24. C

    Not sure how to plug in numbers for Work Energy Theorem

    1. The Problem Stament, all variables and given data a 15 kg crate, initially at rest, slides down a ramp 2.0 m long and inclined at an angle of 20 degrees with the horizontal. if there is a constant force of kinetic friction of 25 N between the crate and ramp, what kinetic energy would the...
  25. E

    Finding the Kinetic Energy using the mass, radius and initial KE

    Information Given:Zero, a hypothetical planet, has a mass of 4.2 x 1023 kg, a radius of 2.8 x 106 m, and no atmosphere. A 10 kg space probe is to be launched vertically from its surface. Question: (a) If the probe is launched with an initial kinetic energy of 5.0 x 107 J, what will be its...
  26. J

    Deriving gravitational potential energy -- mistake

    Homework Statement Hi I'm attempting to derive the gravitational potential energy of a point mass (##m##) that's moving from infinity to a point r' inside a gravitational field produced by a another mass ##M##. For simplicity I treated it as a one dimensional case. The problem I get is that the...
  27. K

    Finding power as a function of time in transferring water

    Homework Statement A completely filled cylindrical tank of height H contains water of mass M. At a height h above the top of the tank there is another wide container. The entire water from the tank is to be transferred into the container in time T such that level of water in tank decreases at a...
  28. D

    How Does W=VIt Describe Energy in Electrical Circuits?

    Homework Statement I have to explain the equation W=VIt and apply it to a circuit. But I do not undertsand what the equation shows. Homework Equations W=VIt The Attempt at a Solution My rough guess is : work done is equal to the time (t) taken for 1A of current to flow at 1V
  29. FreeBob

    Calculating equivalent horsepower for a jet engine

    Trying to remember some basics. I know the thrust of a jet engine. I'm thinking about equivalent HP. I can establish HP at a given speed, but what about while accelerating? I will display my ignorance here :( Power for static, non accelerating flight: Power = [Thrust x Airspeed] Thrust...
  30. Glurth

    Can a Self-Gravitating Gas Ball Simulate Stellar Formation Dynamics?

    I have a simulation I'm trying out (for fun). A self-gravitating ball of gas, in deep space. (The sim uses a fixed-time-step for each iteration.) I'd like to use Boyles Ideal gas law, the force of gravity, and energy as internal heat. (I don't want to touch enthalpy unless I don't realize...
  31. What is Work done by a Variable force #6 - YouTube

    What is Work done by a Variable force #6 - YouTube

    The formula Work done = dot product of Force and displacement. However this assumes a constant force F on a particle. What then is work done by a variable force. Watch this video to understand how integral calculus can help us find the work done when the force acting in a particle is variable.
  32. S

    How Do You Calculate Power in These Physics Problems?

    Homework Statement There are three problems: 1. How much power is required to lift a 10.00 kg barbell at a speed of 3.0 m/s? 2.What is the average power supplied by a 70.0 kg firefighter climbing up a ladder in 10.0 s? 3. A man pulls a wagon with a force directed 22.0˚ above the horizontal...
  33. Jamesgortrig

    Is the work caused by the force of friction negative?

    Homework Statement A student pushes a 0.65kg box Ali g a desk. When he stops pushing the book, it moves 85cm before stoping (slowing down in this period). Coefficient of friction between book and Table is 0.27.Calculate the work done on the book by the friction. Should it be positive or...
  34. I

    First post: work and energy problem

    Homework Statement A 20.0 kg block on a horizontal surface is attached to a horizontal spring of k = 2.0 kN/m. The block is pulled to the right so that the spring is extended 10.0 cm beyond its unstretched length, and the block is then released from rest. The frictional force between the...
  35. P

    Question about the physics term "work"

    I have a question about work. If Newtons 3rd law of motion states there is an equal and opposite reaction for any force. Now if for example I apply 500 Newtons of force on my dresser and move it 5 meters I used 2500 joules of energy. Now because the dresser is equally putting that much force...
  36. Alexanddros81

    Calculate the speed of a boy at the end of the chute

    Homework Statement 14.11 A boy slides down a water chute, starting from rest a A. Neglecting friction determine his speed (a) at the end B of the chute; and (b) on entering the water at C. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution for (a): for (b): Do I have to treat the boy at B as...
  37. ferrariistheking

    Work, energy, power unit (coulombs)

    Homework Statement For a positively-charged particle at the origin, and a negatively-charged particle lying to its right on the positive x-axis, the electrostatic force on the negative charge is attractive, and Coulomb's Law gives the magnitude of that force: F = k |Q1| |Q2| / x^2 k is...
  38. Alexanddros81

    Derive the expression for the work done by the ideal spring

    Homework Statement Derive the expression for the work done by the ideal spring on the slider when the slider moves from A to B. Assume that the free length of the spring is (a) ##L_0 = b##; and (b) ##L_0 = 0.75b## Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Can you check if my solution...
  39. Kelvin Andersen

    How to find the work on an object on an inclined plane pulled with a rope

    Homework Statement g = ##10m/s^2## ##\sqrt{3}## = 1.7 Determine work by the 20N force Homework Equations for an inclined plane: W = ((F+mgsin30)-(mgcos30)μ)s -> (Fx-ff)*s for object pulled with angle: W= (Fcos60-(mg-Fsin60)μ)s -> (Fx-ff)*sThe Attempt at a Solution W=...
  40. A

    Negative work and electric potential energy

    I am confused how a charge could have negative work done. To clarify, I was doing a problem earlier in which a positive charge and negative charge are moving towards each other. I used the equation work = Δv * q And when I was doing this, the change in electric potential, Δv, was negative, and...
  41. B

    Non-conservative work energy theorem and potential energy

    Here is problem I quickly made up: Suppose there is a ramp with a height of 6 meters and length of 12 meters. A block of 5 kg is pushed up to the top of the ramp with a constant velocity. The force of friction is 15 N. Here's the confusion: By using the non-conservative force work energy...
  42. A

    Calculating Work and Change in Thermal Energy

    Homework Statement In the question, a person is pulling a 156 kg sled up a hill. A 620 N force is used to pull the sled up the hill that has an angle of 29° with the horizontal. The sled is pulled a distance of 26 m, and the kinetic friction coefficient is 0.0622. The system has been defined as...
  43. M

    How to calculate the force of a charge through its kinetic Energy?

    Good Afternoon Is it correct to calculate the force of a point charge by relating the force to the kinetic energy and this with its derivative? I have the graphic V/r (Velocity Vs Space), want to calculate force, relate work with force in this way: W=ΔEk, in my case the kinetic energy initial is...
  44. B

    Question about work energy theorem

    Hello, I am confused about the work energy theorem. If someone goes up the stairs at a constant velocity, is work being done on the person? After all, Wnet = change in kinetic energy, and that change is zero. This is the original problem that I am trying to solve, from David Morin's Problems...
  45. C

    MHB Find The Distance And Speed By Using The Work And Energy Theorem

    Dear Everybody, I need some help to help the distance for part a. b) If the block comes back down after it was push, what is the speed back down. A 3.25 kg block starts with a speed of 15 m/s at the bottom of a plane inclined at 35° to the horizontal. The coefficient of sliding friction...
  46. W

    (Spring constant) I can't figure out what I did wrong.

    Homework Statement Two springs which have spring constant of k1 and k2 respectively are vertically hung in a series. Then, a mass m is attached to the end. Find the displacement and the spring constant of this series. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I got the displacement x1+x2...
  47. C

    Mechanical energy of a block sliding on a circular path

    Homework Statement ( The following problem is taken from kleppner's " Introduction to mechanics" ) ( The question in the book talks about the velocity but my confusion is related to the Energy ) Homework Equations Conservation of Mechanical energy : Ef - Ei = 0 Consevation of Momentum : Pf -...
  48. SciencyBoi

    How to differentiate b/w a conservative/non-conservative force?

    Homework Statement How do we determine a specific force mentioned in a question to be conservative or non-conservative? 2. Relevant data Conservative force is a force whose work done does not depend on the path that is taken while doing it. Examples include electrostatic force, gravitational...
  49. NoahCygnus

    Work done on the centre of mass and kinetic energy of system

    If we have two objects forming an isolated system and their centre of mass is ##X_{com}##, we know by work energy theorem that work done on centre of mass will be ##\int F_{ext}.X_{com}= 0## as no external force is acting on the system. However, if there is internal forces between the objects...
  50. NoahCygnus

    Does work energy theorem fail while dealing with friction?

    Let's consider a setup consisting of a table with friction, and a block on top of it. Suppose we drag the block across the table with a constant speed. The applied force ##f_{app}## acting through a distance ##d## does a work ##f_{app}d##. The frictional force ##\mu N## is equal to ##f_{app}##...
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