WORK
WHY ARE
WE
WORKING
SO HARD?
WORK
Work is done when a force
moves an object on which it
is acting, in the direction of
the force.
Work is defined as the product of the force
applied in the direction of motion, and the
displacement F
of the object.
W = F·ΔX
Introduction to work
ΔX
GET the FACTS.
• Work is done when a force acts on an object and
it moves in the direction of the force.
work done W = FΔxcosθ
Calculating work
• Work is a scalar quantity:
vector x vector → scalar
• The unit for work is the joule
(J) or the newton metre (N.m).
• 1 joule = 1 N.m = 1 kg.m.s-2. m = 1 kg.m2.s-2
If a force acts on an object but the object
does not move, no work is done on the
object.
If an object moves at constant velocity
across a frictionless surface, no force acts
on the object and so no work is done.
Work requires a force & movement
Force
Weight
This man is doing work against the force of
gravity, but is doing no horizontal work on
the suitcase, because he is exerting a
force vertically and not horizontally.
Difference between mass and weight
WORK DONE BY FORCES ACTING AT AN
ANGLE TO THE HORIZONTAL
The force doing the work and
the motion must be in the
same direction.
If the force doing the work acts at an angle,
first determine the horizontal component of
the force acting at an angle.
Different forces
Use the horizontal component of the force
to determine the amount of work done.
Fvertical Fapplied
θ θ
Fhorizonal
FH = F cosθ, where θ is the angle between
the applied force and the horizontal.
work done = Fhorizontal .Δx
where s = distance moved
The Inuit man pulling the sledge exerts a
force of 200N and moves he sledge 20m
along the level ground without friction. The
rope is inclined at an angle of 30o to the
horizontal.
Determine the work done by the man, while
he moves the penguins.
The horizontal component of the force can
be calculated as follows:
FH = F cos 30o = 173,2 N
Work done = F.Δx
= 173,2 X 20
= 3 464J
Net work on an object
Applied force, F = 12 N right
Force due to friction f = 5 N left
Displacement, Δx = 5 m right.
Total work done on object: W = F·Δx = 12 N·5m = 60 N·m = 60 J
Work done by friction: W = f·Δx = 5 N·5 m = 25 N·m = 25 J
Net work on object: W = 60 J – 25 J = 35 J
Unstoppable forces
OR
Net work: W = F res·Δx = (12 -7)·5 = 35 J
Net work on an object
Positive net work on a system will increase the energy
of the system and object will probably go faster and
faster.
Here the resultant force will be in the
direction of motion & object will accelerate.
Positive & negative work
Negative net work on a system will decrease the
energy of the system and object will probably go slower
and slower as it moves forward.
Here the resultant force will be in the opposite direction
to that of motion as it moves forward and object will
decelerate.
