div class="tc-sidebar-scrollable" style="overflow: auto;">

Chapter Work

Physics Work

Work done by a constant force

 5th March 2024 at 10:23am

In science, work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and the displacement of that object in the direction of the force. Let's break down the details:

  1. Force (F): Imagine a constant force acting on an object. This force can be due to pushing, pulling, or any other interaction.

  2. Displacement (s): The object moves through a distance s in the direction of the applied force. This displacement represents how far the object travels.

  3. Work Done (W): We define work as the product of the force and displacement:

Work done = force × displacement

W=F×sW=F×s

  • Work has only magnitude and no direction. It is a scalar quantity.
  • The unit of work is the joule (J) or newton meter (N m). If a force of 1 newton displaces an object by 1 meter along the line of action of the force, the work done is 1 joule.

Now, let's address your questions:

  • When the Force on the Object Is Zero:

    • If the force acting on an object is zero (F = 0), no work is done. Even if the object moves, without an applied force, there is no transfer of energy due to work.
    • For example, if you push a wall with all your might but it doesn't budge, no work is done because the force and displacement are not aligned.
  • When the Displacement of the Object Is Zero:

    • If the object doesn't move (s = 0), even if a force is applied, no work is done.
    • For instance, if you hold a heavy box without lifting or lowering it, no work is done because there is no displacement.

Remember, both force and displacement must occur in the same direction for work to be accomplished. When either condition is absent, work remains zero. 🛠️💡

Activity 11.3