How do you calculate the work done on an object when you push it?
The work done on an object when you push it is given by the formula:
Work = Force × Distance × cosθ
where:
- Force is the amount of force you apply on the object (in newtons)
- Distance is the distance the object moves in the direction of the force (in meters)
- θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion (if the force is applied at an angle)
If the force is applied parallel to the direction of motion, the angle θ is 0° and cosθ is equal to 1, so the formula simplifies to:
Work = Force × Distance
For example, if you push a box with a force of 50 newtons for a distance of 2 meters along a level surface, the work done on the box is:
Work = 50 N × 2 m × cos(0) = 100 J (joules)
To calculate the work done on an object when you push it, you can use the following formula:
Work = Force × Displacement × cos(theta)
Here, "Force" represents the force applied to the object, "Displacement" represents the distance the object moves in the direction of the force, and "theta" represents the angle between the force and the direction of motion.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to calculate the work done:
1. Determine the force applied to the object. This could be given in Newtons (N) or determined by measuring the force using a force meter or scale.
2. Determine the displacement of the object. This is the distance the object moves when you push it. Measure it in meters (m).
3. Identify the angle between the force and the displacement. If the force and displacement are in the same direction, the angle is 0 degrees. If they are perpendicular to each other, the angle is 90 degrees.
4. If the force and displacement are not in the same direction, measure or determine the angle theta between them.
5. Use the formula Work = Force × Displacement × cos(theta) to calculate the work done. Make sure to use the appropriate units for force, displacement, and angle.
Note: If the force and displacement are in the same direction, i.e., theta = 0 degrees, the cosine of 0 degrees is 1, so the work will be equal to Force × Displacement.
If the force and displacement are perpendicular, i.e., theta = 90 degrees, the cosine of 90 degrees is 0, so the work done will be zero.
To calculate the work done on an object when you push it, you need to know the force applied and the distance over which the force is exerted. Work is calculated using the formula:
Work = Force × Distance × cos(θ)
Where:
- Work is the amount of energy transferred to or from an object.
- Force is the magnitude of the force applied.
- Distance is the distance over which the force is exerted.
- θ (theta) is the angle between the direction of the force and the direction of the displacement.
If the force is applied in the same direction as the displacement of the object, then θ = 0, and cos(θ) becomes 1. In this case, the formula simplifies to:
Work = Force × Distance
So the work done on an object when you push it is equal to the force applied multiplied by the distance over which the force is exerted.