The Student Room Group

Work Done

When calculating the work done if the force varies do you use the average force or the final force to work out the work done? Also if something is pushed down the slope which value of x do you use to work out the work done? the hypotenuse, vertical height or horizontal width of the base of the slope
Original post by Mackiemcmasher
When calculating the work done if the force varies do you use the average force or the final force to work out the work done? Also if something is pushed down the slope which value of x do you use to work out the work done? the hypotenuse, vertical height or horizontal width of the base of the slope


I think we use the fact that
δW= Rx δF
where δW is the small change in work
R is the displacement
δF is the small change in force

δW =dW
δF =dF
thus dW=RdF
then we integrate the work from 0 to W and F within the range of change as in from initial to final.

I think since work done is the product of force and the distance moved I think we will have to use the hypotenuse since that will be the distance moved

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