Askiitians Tutor Team
Last Activity: 9 Months ago
Work done by a constant force is a measure of the energy transfer that occurs when a force acts on an object and displaces it in the direction of the force. It is calculated as the product of the magnitude of the force and the displacement of the object in the direction of the force. Mathematically, work done (W) is given by the equation:
W = F * d * cos(theta)
where:
W is the work done,
F is the magnitude of the force applied,
d is the displacement of the object, and
theta is the angle between the force and the displacement vectors.
Examples of work done by a constant force include:
Lifting a box: When you lift a box off the ground, you apply a vertical force against gravity. The work done is equal to the force applied multiplied by the distance the box is lifted.
Pushing a car: If you push a car along a straight road, the force you exert on the car is in the direction of the displacement. The work done is the product of the force and the distance over which you push the car.
Pulling a suitcase: When you pull a suitcase across the floor, the force you exert is in the direction of the displacement. The work done is calculated by multiplying the force applied by the distance traveled.
Gravity pulling an object down an incline: When an object slides down an inclined plane under the influence of gravity, the force of gravity acts in the direction of the displacement. The work done is given by the product of the gravitational force and the vertical distance the object moves.
Stretching a spring: When you stretch a spring by applying a force, the work done is equal to the force applied multiplied by the distance the spring is stretched.
In each of these examples, the work done can be calculated using the formula mentioned earlier, considering the appropriate values for force, displacement, and the angle between the force and displacement vectors.