Work Done by the Resulting Force

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 20 views

Introduction

In physics, work is a measure of the energy transferred by a force to an object as it moves. The work done by a force on an object is calculated using the formula: W = F * d * cos(θ), where W is the work done, F is the force applied, d is the distance over which the force is applied, and θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion. In this article, we will explore the concept of work done by a resulting force, using the example of a 60 kg cyclist who increases his speed from 5 m/s to 10 m/s.

Understanding the Problem

A 60 kg cyclist is initially moving at a speed of 5 m/s. He then accelerates to a speed of 10 m/s. We need to find the work done by the resulting force that caused this acceleration. To solve this problem, we will use the concept of kinetic energy, which is the energy an object possesses due to its motion.

Kinetic Energy

The kinetic energy of an object is given by the formula: K = (1/2) * m * v^2, where K is the kinetic energy, m is the mass of the object, and v is its velocity. We can use this formula to find the initial and final kinetic energies of the cyclist.

Initial Kinetic Energy

The initial kinetic energy of the cyclist is given by:

K_initial = (1/2) * m * v_initial^2 = (1/2) * 60 kg * (5 m/s)^2 = 750 J

Final Kinetic Energy

The final kinetic energy of the cyclist is given by:

K_final = (1/2) * m * v_final^2 = (1/2) * 60 kg * (10 m/s)^2 = 3000 J

Work Done by the Resulting Force

The work done by the resulting force is equal to the change in kinetic energy of the cyclist. We can find this by subtracting the initial kinetic energy from the final kinetic energy:

W = K_final - K_initial = 3000 J - 750 J = 2250 J

Therefore, the work done by the resulting force is 2250 J.

Conclusion

In this article, we used the concept of kinetic energy to find the work done by the resulting force that caused a 60 kg cyclist to accelerate from 5 m/s to 10 m/s. We found that the work done by the resulting force is 2250 J. This example illustrates the importance of understanding the relationship between work, energy, and force in physics.

Key Takeaways

The work done by a force on an object is calculated using the formula: W = F * d * cos(θ).
The kinetic energy of an object is given by the formula: K = (1/2) * m * v^2.
The work done by a resulting force is equal to the change in kinetic energy of the object.

References

Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2013). Fundamentals of physics. John Wiley & Sons.
Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2018). Physics for scientists and engineers. Cengage Learning.
Work Done by the Resulting Force: A Cyclist's Acceleration - Q&A ===========================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the concept of work done by a resulting force, using the example of a 60 kg cyclist who increases his speed from 5 m/s to 10 m/s. We found that the work done by the resulting force is 2250 J. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to this topic.

Q&A

Q: What is the relationship between work, energy, and force?

A: The work done by a force on an object is equal to the change in energy of the object. In other words, work is a measure of the energy transferred by a force to an object as it moves.

Q: How is the work done by a force calculated?

A: The work done by a force on an object is calculated using the formula: W = F * d * cos(θ), where W is the work done, F is the force applied, d is the distance over which the force is applied, and θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion.

Q: What is the difference between work and energy?

A: Work is a measure of the energy transferred by a force to an object as it moves, while energy is a measure of the ability of an object to do work. In other words, work is a measure of the energy transferred, while energy is a measure of the potential to do work.

Q: Can work be negative?

A: Yes, work can be negative. If the force applied to an object is in the opposite direction of the object's motion, the work done by the force will be negative.

Q: What is the relationship between kinetic energy and work?

A: The work done by a force on an object is equal to the change in kinetic energy of the object. In other words, the work done by a force is equal to the difference between the final and initial kinetic energies of the object.

Q: Can work be zero?

A: Yes, work can be zero. If the force applied to an object is perpendicular to the object's motion, the work done by the force will be zero.

Q: What is the unit of work?

A: The unit of work is the joule (J).

Q: Can work be measured directly?

A: No, work cannot be measured directly. It can only be calculated using the formula: W = F * d * cos(θ).

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some frequently asked questions related to the concept of work done by a resulting force. We hope that this article has provided a better understanding of this important concept in physics.

Key Takeaways

The work done by a force on an object is equal to the change in energy of the object.
The work done by a force is calculated using the formula: W = F * d * cos(θ).
Work can be negative, zero, or positive.
The unit of work is the joule (J).
Work cannot be measured directly.