You are here
In each of the following a force, F is acting on an object of mass, m. The direction of displacement is from west to east shown by the longer arrow. Observe the diagrams carefully and state whether the work done by the force is negative, positive or zero
Answer
We know that
Work done = Force × Displacement × cos θ
Where, theta is the angle between the force and the displacement
Case1
The angle between the force and displacement is 90 degrees.
Work done = Force × Displacement × cos θ
= Force × Displacement × cos 90
= Force × Displacement × 0
= 0
Hence, work done is 0 .
Case 2
The angle between the force and displacement is 0 degrees.
Work done = Force × Displacement × cos θ
= Force × Displacement × cos 0
= Force × Displacement × 1
= Force × Displacement
Hence, work done is positive .
Case 3
The angle between the force and displacement is 180 degrees.
Work done = Force × Displacement × cos θ
= Force × Displacement × cos 18 0
= Force × Displacement × (-1)
= - Force × Displacement
Hence, the work done is negative.
