Question

(a) What is work? (b) How do we determine the amount of work done, given the force associated with the work?

Short answer

(a) Work is a concept in physics that relates the force applied on an object to its displacement. It is done when a force causes an object to move in the direction of the force and is a scalar quantity measured in Joules (J). (b) To determine the amount of work done, given the force associated with the work, use the formula: \(W = Fd\cos(\theta)\), where \(W\) represents the work done, \(F\) represents the force applied on the object, \(d\) represents the displacement of the object, and \(\theta\) represents the angle between the direction of the force and the direction of the displacement.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Work

Work is a concept in physics that relates the force applied on an object to the displacement of the object. In simple terms, work is done when a force is applied on an object, causing it to move in the direction of the force. Work is a scalar quantity, as it has only magnitude and no direction. The unit of work is Joule (J), in the International System of Units (SI).

Formula for Work Done

To calculate the work done on an object, we use the formula: \[ W = Fd\cos(\theta) \] where \(W\) is the work done, \(F\) is the force applied on the object, \(d\) is the displacement of the object, and \(\theta\) is the angle between the direction of the force and the direction of the displacement.

Determining Work Done

Based on the given information, follow these steps to determine the amount of work done: 1. Identify the force (\(F\)) acting on the object. 2. Find the displacement (\(d\)) of the object in the direction of the force. 3. Determine the angle (\(\theta\)) between the direction of the force and the direction of the displacement. 4. Use the formula \(W = Fd\cos(\theta)\) to calculate the work done. By following these steps and applying the formula, you can determine the amount of work done given the force associated with the work.