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ray4758026
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Why is work defined as Fd? If you apply the same force to 2 different masses over the same distance surely the larger mass has more energy. Why isn't work defined as Ft??
It's a definition. That's like asking "why is acceleration defined as the rate of change of velocity?"ray4758026 said:Why is work defined as Fd?
Why do you think that?If you apply the same force to 2 different masses over the same distance surely the larger mass has more energy.
Because that is a different quantity.Why isn't work defined as Ft??
No. The change in kinetic energy will be the same for each.ray4758026 said:If you apply the same force to 2 different masses over the same distance surely the larger mass has more energy.
Ft already has a name: Impulse. And it equals the change in momentum, not energy.Why isn't work defined as Ft?
ray4758026 said:Why is work defined as Fd? If you apply the same force to 2 different masses over the same distance surely the larger mass has more energy. Why isn't work defined as Ft??
Work is defined as the product of force and distance because it is a measure of the amount of energy required to move an object over a certain distance. The force applied to an object causes it to move, and the distance it travels determines how much energy is needed to move it. Therefore, work is calculated as the force applied multiplied by the distance over which the force is applied.
Yes, the formula force x distance represents the calculation of work. It shows that work is directly proportional to both the force applied and the distance over which the force is applied. This means that the greater the force or the distance, the more work is done.
In physics, work is measured in joules (J). One joule is equal to one newton-meter (N·m), which is the unit for the product of force and distance. This means that if a force of 1 newton is applied to an object and it is moved a distance of 1 meter, 1 joule of work is done.
Work and power are related concepts, but they are not the same. Work is a measure of the amount of energy required to move an object, while power is the rate at which work is done. Power is calculated by dividing work by time, so it represents how quickly work is being done. The more work done in a given amount of time, the greater the power.
Understanding the concept of work is essential in physics because it is a fundamental aspect of mechanical systems and energy. Work is a key factor in determining the motion of objects and the amount of energy needed to move them. It also has practical applications in fields such as engineering, where work is used to calculate the efficiency of machines and systems.