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PhyzSpringboard: Introduction to Work

Felix

Work is a means by which energy can enter or leave an object or system.When positive work is done on an object, the object gains energy.When negative work is done on an object, the object loses energy.When the work done on an object is zero, the object's energy is left unchanged. When work is done on an object, a force is applied to the object and the object undergoes a displacement. A relationship exists between the type of work done on an object and the relative directions of force and displacement during the interaction. Consider each situation below. Draw the force and displacement vectors in each case and determine whether positive, negative, or no work is done. (Remember to justify your conclusion in terms of energy gain or loss.) 1.Throwing a blackboard eraser.

Energy is gained. F || d W is +
2. Lifting a stapler.

F d

Energy is gained. F || d W is +

F d

3. Catching a falling ball.

Energy is lost. F !" d # W is


What correlationif anyis apparent between the sign of the work done and the relative directions of force and displacement?

The work done on an object is positive when force and displacement are in the same direction (parallel). The work done on an object is negative when force and displacement are opposite (antiparallel). F
4. Carrying a briefcase across the room.

Energy is neither gained nor lost. F $ d # W is 0


5. Pushing a book across a table. a.What kind of work does the pusher do?

d F d F d
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Person pushing: F || d # W is +
b.What else is going on here?

Friction: F !" d # W is
The Book of Phyz Dean Baird. All rights reserved.

db

6.Consider a stationary sled with two ropes attachedone to the front and one to the rear. a. If the front rope is pulled forward, the sled speeds up. i.The sled __gains energy __loses energy. F ii.The work done is __positive __negative __zero. iii.The force and displacement vectors are __parallel __antiparallel __perpendicular __something else.

Acute
b. If the sled is moving and the rear rope is pulled backward, the sled slows down. i.The sled __gains energy __loses energy. ii.The work done is __positive __negative __zero. iii.The force and displacement vectors are __parallel __antiparallel __perpendicular __something else.

F d

Do these new findings agree with the conclusion drawn after exercise 3 above? If not,what modifications are called for?

Obtuse

No; work is positive also when the angle between F and d is acute and negative when the angle is obtuse.

7.The black arrows shown below are force vectors; the gray arrows shown below are displacement vectors.In each case below, is the work positive, negative, or zero? a. b. c.

P ositive

Negative

P ositive

d.

e.

f.

Negative P ositive

Zero

8.Imagine a clock whose hands move in distinct clunks. Now imagine the big hand was the displacement vector and the little hand was the force vector.What kind of work would be occurring in the arrangement shown at a. 12:00? b. 8:00? c. 2:50? d. 9:30?

Positive

Negative

Negative

Zero

9.The angle between the force and displacement vectors is given the symbol %. a. Draw the angle % on the diagrams in question 7 above. b.What is the range of %? (What is its smallest value and what is its largest value?)

From 0 to 180
10. Assume a force acts on a body as the body moves through some displacement. a. For what value(s) of % will the work done by the force be positive?

From 0 to just less than 90: From just over 90 to 180: 90


The Book of Phyz Dean Baird. All rights reserved.

% < 90
180

b. For what value(s) of % will the work done by the force be negative?

90 < %

c. For what value(s) of % will the work done by the force be zero?

12/20/09

db

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