Someone Does 90 J Of Work By Applying A 10 N Force To Pull A Wagon. What Distance Was The Force Applied Over?Remember: $W = Fd$

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Introduction

In physics, work and energy are two fundamental concepts that are closely related. Work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and the distance over which the force is applied. This relationship is often expressed using the equation W = Fd, where W is the work done, F is the force applied, and d is the distance over which the force is applied. In this article, we will explore the concept of work and energy, and use a real-world example to illustrate the relationship between force and distance.

The Equation W = Fd

The equation W = Fd is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the relationship between work and energy. Work is a measure of the energy transferred to an object when a force is applied to it. The equation states that the work done (W) is equal to the product of the force (F) applied and the distance (d) over which the force is applied.

Work and Energy

Work and energy are two sides of the same coin. When a force is applied to an object, it transfers energy to the object, causing it to move or change its state. The amount of energy transferred depends on the force applied and the distance over which the force is applied. In other words, the work done is a measure of the energy transferred to an object.

Example: Pulling a Wagon

Let's consider a real-world example to illustrate the relationship between force and distance. Suppose someone applies a 10 N force to pull a wagon over a certain distance. If the person does 90 J of work, what distance was the force applied over?

To solve this problem, we can use the equation W = Fd. We know that the work done (W) is 90 J, and the force applied (F) is 10 N. We need to find the distance (d) over which the force was applied.

Solving for Distance

We can rearrange the equation W = Fd to solve for distance (d). Dividing both sides of the equation by F, we get:

d = W / F

Substituting the values given in the problem, we get:

d = 90 J / 10 N

d = 9 m

Therefore, the force was applied over a distance of 9 m.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the equation W = Fd is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the relationship between work and energy. Work is a measure of the energy transferred to an object when a force is applied to it. The amount of energy transferred depends on the force applied and the distance over which the force is applied. In this article, we used a real-world example to illustrate the relationship between force and distance. By applying a 10 N force to pull a wagon, someone did 90 J of work, and we were able to calculate the distance over which the force was applied.

Key Takeaways

  • Work is a measure of the energy transferred to an object when a force is applied to it.
  • The equation W = Fd describes the relationship between work and energy.
  • The amount of energy transferred depends on the force applied and the distance over which the force is applied.
  • By rearranging the equation W = Fd, we can solve for distance (d).

Further Reading

If you want to learn more about work and energy, here are some additional resources:

References

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the concept of work and energy, and used a real-world example to illustrate the relationship between force and distance. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about work and energy.

Q: What is work in physics?

A: Work is a measure of the energy transferred to an object when a force is applied to it. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it has no direction.

Q: How is work calculated?

A: Work is calculated using the equation W = Fd, where W is the work done, F is the force applied, and d is the distance over which the force is applied.

Q: What is the unit of work?

A: The unit of work is the joule (J). One joule is equal to one newton-meter (N·m).

Q: What is the difference between work and energy?

A: Work is a measure of the energy transferred to an object when a force is applied to it, while energy is a measure of the ability of an object to do work. In other words, work is a measure of the energy transferred, while energy is a measure of the potential to do work.

Q: Can work be negative?

A: Yes, work can be negative. This occurs when a force is applied in the opposite direction of the motion of an object. In this case, the work done is negative, indicating that energy is being transferred from the object to the environment.

Q: What is the relationship between work and kinetic energy?

A: The work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy. In other words, the work done on an object is equal to the energy transferred to the object, which is then converted into kinetic energy.

Q: Can work be done without energy being transferred?

A: No, work cannot be done without energy being transferred. Work is a measure of the energy transferred to an object when a force is applied to it.

Q: What is the difference between work and torque?

A: Work is a measure of the energy transferred to an object when a force is applied to it, while torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object. While work is a scalar quantity, torque is a vector quantity.

Q: Can work be done on a system without changing its energy?

A: Yes, work can be done on a system without changing its energy. This occurs when the work done is equal to the negative of the change in the system's energy. In this case, the work done is said to be "conservative".

Q: What is the relationship between work and potential energy?

A: The work done on an object is equal to the change in its potential energy. In other words, the work done on an object is equal to the energy transferred to the object, which is then converted into potential energy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, work and energy are two fundamental concepts in physics that are closely related. Work is a measure of the energy transferred to an object when a force is applied to it, while energy is a measure of the ability of an object to do work. By understanding the relationship between work and energy, we can better understand the behavior of objects in the physical world.

Key Takeaways

  • Work is a measure of the energy transferred to an object when a force is applied to it.
  • The equation W = Fd describes the relationship between work and energy.
  • Work can be negative, indicating that energy is being transferred from the object to the environment.
  • The work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.
  • Work can be done without energy being transferred, but this is not possible in all cases.

Further Reading

If you want to learn more about work and energy, here are some additional resources:

References