The work tag has no wiki summary.
21
votes
7answers
3k views
Why does holding something up cost energy while no work is being done?
I read the definition of work as
$$W ~=~ \vec{F} \cdot \vec{d}$$
$$\text{ Work = (Force) $\cdot$ (Distance)}.$$
If a book is there on the table, no work is done as no distance is covered. If I ...
7
votes
3answers
549 views
Is the normal force a conservative force?
Most of the time the normal force doesn't do any work because it's perpendicular to the direction of motion but if it does do work, would it be conservative or non-conservative?
For example, consider ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
Why does work equal force times distance?
My 'government-issued' book literally says:
Energy is the capacity to do work and work is the product of net force and the 1-dimensional distance it made a body travel while constantly affecting ...
5
votes
2answers
160 views
First law of thermodynamics?
The first law says that the change in internal energy is equal to the work done on the system (W) minus the work done by the system (Q). However, can $Q$ be any kind of work, such as mechanical work? ...
5
votes
2answers
243 views
Intuitively Understanding Work and Energy
It is easy to understand the concepts of momentum and impulse. The formula $mv$ is simple, and easy to reason about. It has an obvious symmetry to it.
The same cannot be said for kinetic energy, ...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
Why there is a 1/2 in kinetic energy formula? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why is there a $\frac 1 2$ in $\frac 1 2 mv^2$?
Hèllo, I have a question about kinetic energy formula.
As you know, in kinetic energy formula, we have:
...
4
votes
2answers
122 views
Conservative Force and $1/r^2$
Does the inverse square law have anything to do with conservative behavior of the central forces?
3
votes
4answers
574 views
Why does an object thrown parallel to the ground eventually fall down?
Suppose an object is thrown parallel to the ground. The gravity acts downward (ie. perpendicular to the direction of motion of the object). The work done by gravity on that object will be given by :
...
3
votes
6answers
339 views
Electrostatic Potential Energy Derivation
How is the boxed step , physically as well as mathematically justified and correct ?
Source:Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_potential_energy
As work done = $- \Delta U $. for Conservative ...
3
votes
2answers
119 views
Find work done by force along a path - is parameterization the only way?
$F = x^3y^4 \hat i + x^4y^3 \hat j$ from $(0,0)$ to $(1,1)$.
I am given different paths.
For example, "first along x axis and then along the y axis" is one of the paths.
Is this problem solvable ...
3
votes
3answers
118 views
When can one write $a=v \cdot dv/dx$?
Referring to unidimensional motion, it is obvious that it doesn't always make sense to write the speed as a function of position. Seems to me that this is a necessary condition to derive formulas ...
3
votes
3answers
171 views
Why does it require such little energy to create the fastest thing in the universe?
I have noticed when I turn on the light switch in my house light comes from the bulb.
How is this light created?(process occurring in the bulb) and why is this small amount of electricity enough to ...
3
votes
1answer
420 views
Area under a $pV$ diagram
What does the area under a Pressure volume diagram equal?
I read in my textbook it equals 'external' work done, but why is this?
First of all, what exactly is external work?
Can you get it ...
3
votes
1answer
304 views
A Question about Virtual Work related to Newton's Third Law
In describing D'Alembert's principle, the lecture note I was provided with states that the total force $\mathbb F_l$ acting on a particle can be taken as,
$$\mathbb F_l=F_l+\sum_mf_{ml}+C_l,$$
...
3
votes
1answer
103 views
Intuition behind Work
I have a doubt in understanding the intuition behind the concept of work. First of all, I think this isn't duplicate, I've searched on the site, and the closest thing I've found was this post which is ...
3
votes
1answer
336 views
I have a slight problem understanding the concept of “work”?
What I understand is that work is not the same as a car using gas or a crane lifting a car high up into the air. Let's use the crane as an example. And let me write out a few lines from the book.
...
3
votes
2answers
178 views
When work is performed solely by magnetism, is there an equivalent loss of energy from the magnetic field?
When two magnets are placed within appropriate proximity and released, the attractive force will perform work and bring them together. Work is performed overcoming friction. Can we measure a ...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
Work Done to click a mouse?
Is there any good research done to find out the work done in clicking a mouse button.
any link to that would be greatly appreciated.
P.S.
i am not too sure whether this question belongs here or ...
2
votes
5answers
267 views
Is there a mathematical derivation of potential energy that is *not* rooted in the conservation of energy?
For simplicity I'll consider only gravity, but in general this question only applies to conservative forces.
As per my understanding, the way one gets to the equation for gravitational potential ...
2
votes
2answers
130 views
Mechanical work to required battery power
I have a very practical question where I've calculated the mechanical work needed by a simple mechanical system by solving the line integral $W = \int_C \ F \ dx$. However, since I have a black spot ...
2
votes
1answer
144 views
How to understand the work-energy theorem?
How to understand the work-energy theorem?
I took a short lecture on physics for engineering last week. The lecturer emphasized that the work done on an object will cause the kinetic energy change as ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
Work done by gravity on Water
Now according to me we would see change in potential energy of system and equate it to the work done by gravity.
But when we see this the first column lowers by $H/2$ and right one rises by $H/2$ ...
2
votes
1answer
61 views
Conservative forces intuition
Take a gravitational field (with all the field lines pointing inwards) and a perfectly circular curve as an object's trajectory. To find the work exerted by the force on the object, compute the line ...
2
votes
1answer
123 views
Understanding Work and the conservation of energy
We have a car with a mass of $780 kg$ with travels with a speed of $50 km/h$. The car brakes and after $4,2m$ is stops completely. Warmth is created. Calculate the friction.
I solved this easily, by ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Moving along friction surfaces
If a particle moves along a one dimensional surface with constant friction. As the particle moves from point $A$ to point $B$ it loses an amount of energy equals $E(A,B)$. Consider that the particle ...
2
votes
3answers
959 views
How do I find work done by friction over a curve represented by a polynomial?
I am facing a problem in Physics.
Problem: What will be the work done by the frictional force over a polynomial curve if a body is sliding on this polynomial($a+bx+cx^2+dx^3+\ldots$) curve from rest ...
2
votes
3answers
508 views
Statics software for structural engineering
I'm attempting to expand my knowledge of engineering software. I've found comsol and ansys for acoustics and thermodynamics/fluid dynamics (not necessarily in that order), now I'd like to see if I can ...
2
votes
1answer
378 views
Does moving something horizontally in gravity do no work?
Bill’s job is to lift bags of flour and place them in the back of a
truck, which is parked next to him. Sally is loading the same bags of
flour into a similar truck that is located 10 m away. ...
2
votes
4answers
604 views
Work done by the Magnetic Force
The magnetic part of the Lorentz force acts perpendicular to the charge's velocity, and consequently does zero work on it. Can we extrapolate this statement to say that such a nature of the force ...
1
vote
2answers
559 views
Why is there a $\frac 1 2$ in $\frac 1 2 mv^2$?
For elastic collisions of n particles, we know that momentum in the three orthogonal directions are independently conserved:$$ \frac{d}{dt}\sum\limits_i^n m_iv_{ij} =0,\quad j=1,2,3$$
From this, it ...
1
vote
5answers
111 views
Workdone in an equipotential surface is zero?
An equipotential surface is one in which all the points are at the same electric potential. If a charge is to be moved between any two points (say from point A to point B) on an equipotential surface, ...
1
vote
3answers
128 views
Can endergonic reactions occur outside of living organisms?
If the Gibbs free energy equation is defined as:
∆G = ∆H - T∆S
And the amount of energy/work released from a reaction is:
...
1
vote
3answers
144 views
Magnetic force and work
If the magnetic force does no work on a particle with electric charge, then:
How can you influence the motion of the particle? Is there perhaps another example of the work force but do not have a ...
1
vote
2answers
73 views
How can I understand work conceptually?
I'm in a mechanical physics class, and I'm having a hard time understanding what the quantity of work represents. How can I understand it conceptually?
1
vote
1answer
149 views
Work done in projectile motion
A projectile is shot at some inclination to the ground. It falls at another point having R distance from the initial point on the ground. Is there any work done?
If initial velocity vector is $(u\cos ...
1
vote
3answers
549 views
What is $vdp$ work and when do I use it?
I am a little confused, from the first law of thermodynamics (energy conservation)
$$\Delta E = \delta Q - \delta W $$
If the amount of work done is a volume expansion of a gas in, say a piston ...
1
vote
2answers
44 views
How is it possible to equate the internal energy at constant volume with the internal energy of an adiabatic process?
I hope my question makes sense. My problem is that, I have read through numerous textbooks that nC(cons. volume)dT = -PdV when deriving the relationship between T and V for an adiabatic process, ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
calculating work done by friction
I want to calculate the work done by friction if the length $L$ of uniform rope on the table slides off. There is friction between the cord and the table with coefficient of kinetic friction $\mu_k$.
...
1
vote
2answers
142 views
Finding maximum speed in a work-energy problem
I have the following problem:
The Royal Gorge bridge over the Arkansas River is $310\text{ m}$ above
the river. A $57\text{ kg}$ bungee jumper has an elastic cord with an
unstressed length of ...
1
vote
2answers
182 views
Mechanics Question: Energy, Work and Power
I'm a pure mathematician by trade, and have been trying to teach myself A-level mechanics. (This is not homework, it is purely self-study.)
I've been working through the exercises and have come up ...
1
vote
2answers
302 views
Calculating force required to stop bungee jumper
Given that:
bungee jumper weighs 700N
jumps off from a height of 36m
needs to stop safely at 32m (4m above ground)
unstretched length of bungee cord is 25m
Whats the force required to stop the ...
1
vote
2answers
227 views
Why is work defined as force dot displacement?
Why is work defined as force dot displacement? I know that it is defined like that based on the observational fact - we do more work when we apply greater force or move to a greater distance. But I ...
1
vote
3answers
108 views
Carrying water on person, or on the frame when bicycling
So, the question is as follows:
What is the difference in work exerted by the rider in the two following scenarios?
a) Rider + bike. Water carried in a holder on the frame
b) Rider + bike. Water ...
1
vote
1answer
108 views
Work done by friction
Suppose we have a block of mass $M$ and we are moving it up a curve, very slowly ($a=0$). The surface is not smooth, and coefficient of friction is $\mu=\mu_s=\mu_k$.
To move the block we apply a ...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
Work as an integral of mass over velocity?
As I've understood it, the area under $F$-$s$-graph is the work done, so then :$$W(s)=\int{F(s)ds}$$
I am also given this equation ($W_k$ is kinetic energy, which is equal the work done to set the ...
1
vote
3answers
159 views
Integration by parts to derive relativistic kinetic energy
I have come across a weird integration during derivation of relativistic kinetic energy. Our professor states that i can get RHS out of LHS using integration by parts:
$$
\int\limits_0^x \! ...
1
vote
3answers
95 views
Mechanics Problem
I'm trying to follow Feynman's lecture. Unfortunately I'm a bit stuck on a small piece, so if you could show me what I'm doing wrong then I'd greatly appreciate your help. I want to exactly know how ...
1
vote
1answer
388 views
Needed Energy For Lifting 200 kg weight
I'd like to learn how much energy I need to lift a 200 kilograms weight on normal earth conditions?
For example how much electric power do we need?
I'm not a physicist and not a student and this ...
1
vote
1answer
261 views
ratio between work and heat [closed]
I am really stuck on a problem in my textbook:
Water is heated in an open pan where the air pressure is one atmosphere. The water remains a liquid, which expands by a small amount as it is heated. ...
1
vote
2answers
865 views
Thermodynamics - Sign convention
I use the sign convention:
Heat absorbed by the system = $q+$ (positive)
Heat evolved by the system = $q-$ (negative)
Work done on the system = $w +$ (positive)
Work done by the system = $w -$ ...
