Work

Presented by:
Angela Marie M. Diwa
Physicist’s definition of “work”

dist∥

dist

Work = F x dist∥
Atlas holds up the Earth
But he doesn’t move,
dist∥ = 0

Work= Fx dist∥ = 0

He doesn’t do any work!

Garcon does work when
he picks up the tray

but not while he

carries it around
the room

dist is not zero,

but dist∥ is 0
 Why this definition?

Newton’s 2nd law: F=m a

Definition of work
+ a little calculus

Work= change in ½mv2

This scalar quantity is given
a special name: kinetic energy
Work = change in KE

This is called:

the Work-Energy Theorem

 Units again…

Kinetic Energy = ½mv2

m
kg 2
2

s
work = F x dist∥ same!
=1Joule
m
N m =kg 2 m
s
 Work done by gravity
end

start
dist dist∥
change in
vertical height
W=mg
Work = F x dist∥
= -mg x change in height
= -change in mg h
 Gravitational Potential Energy

Workgrav = -change in mgh

This is called:
“Gravitational Potential
Energy” (or PEgrav)

change
Workgrav
in =
PE-change
grav = -Work
in PE
grav
grav
 If gravity is the only force
doing work….
Work-energy theorem:

-change in mgh = change in ½ mv2

0 = change in mgh + change in ½ mv2

change in (mgh + ½ mv2) = 0

mgh + ½ mv2 = constant

 Conservation of energy

mgh + ½ mv2 = constant

Gravitational Kinetic energy
Potential energy

If gravity is the only force that does work:

PE + KE = constant

Energy is conserved
SAMPLE PROMBLEMS:
1. How many joules of work are done against
a cart when a force of 50 N pushes it 1
kilometer away?

Solution:
First convert 1 kilometer to meter. 1 km = 100 m
W = 50 N × 100 meters

W = 5000 Nm

W = 5000 joules
2. In a tug of war, team x pulled team y with a force
of 10000 N a distance of 50 meters. Team y did
not win because they were only able to exert of
force of 8000 N. Calculate the work of each team.

Since the direction may or may not be the same,

we will use the formula w = F × d × cos(x)
The graph below shows the force and direction for
both teams.
3. A 10 kg object experiences a horizontal force
which causes it to accelerate at 5 m/s2 , moving it
a distance of 20 m, horizontally. How much work is
done by the force?

The magnitude of the force is given by F = ma =

(10)(5) = 50 N. It acts over a distance of 20 m, in
the same direction as the displacement of the
object, implying that the total work done by the
force is given by W = Fx = (50)(20) = 1000 Joules.
• For team x, the angle between the force
and the direction is 0 degrees.

W = 10000 × 50 × cos(0) ; cos(0) = 1

W = 10000 × 50 × 1

W = 500000 joules
• For team y, the angle between the force
and the direction is 180 degrees.

W = 10000 × 50 × cos(180); cos(180) = -1

W = 8000 × 50 × -1

W = -400000 joules

*Notice that the work is negative for team y. This is going to be the
case when the direction of the force is opposite to the direction of
movement.
SEATWORK PROBLEMS:
1. A crate is moved across a frictionless floor by a
rope THAT is inclined 30 degrees above horizontal.
The tension in the rope is 50 N. How much work is
done in moving the crate 10 meters?

2. A 5 kg block is moved up a 30 degree incline by a

force of 50 N, parallel to the incline. The coefficient of
kinetic friction between the block and the incline is
.25. How much work is done by the 50 N force in
moving the block a distance of 10 meters? What is
the total work done on the block over the same
distance?