answersLogoWhite

0

Scientifically, work is defined as force X distance. In this case, we know the distance (5 m), but we do not know the force. If we knew the original force applied we could calculate the work done. Or, if we knew the acceleration of the 2 kg mass when it was moved we could calculate the force (force = mass X acceleration; Newton's 2nd Law of Motion), then we could use that value to calculate the work done. However, with the information given, it is not possible to calculate the work done in this situation.

Perhaps, if we changed the scenario just a bit, we could calculate a different amount of work done. Let's say that by some means a person moved the 2 kg mass upwards, directly away from the center of the earth, to a height of 5 m. Since it is known that the acceleration due to gravity at most places on earth is 9.8 meters/sec/sec, we can calculate the force required to move the object as 19.6 kg.m/s/s (2 kg X 9.8 m/s/s). In the metric system, a kg.m/s/s is known as a Newton (N), so this would be 19.6 N. Using that force value, we can now calculate the work done as 98 N.m (19.6 N X 5 m). A N.m is known as a Joule (J, the metric unit for energy) so our answer would correctly read 98 J.

The question displays the natural, instinctive, popular, total fallacy that was logically disproven by Galileo about 500 years ago, and mathematically disproven by Newton about 400 years ago:

-- In order to keep an object moving, a force must be applied to it.

-- A moving object with no external forces applied to it will stop.

This concept makes complete common sense, matches all of our everyday experience, and is totally wrong.

The fact is: A moving object continues moving at constant speed in a straight line until an external force acts on it.

Work doesn't depend on the mass of the object or the distance it moves. The most massive object imaginable can move through an astronomical distance without any work being done on it at all.

The work done by the person is (force with which he pushes) multiplied by (distance through which he maintains that force).

If the object is already moving, the person doesn't have to touch it to make it move 5 m. He can just stand there and watch it. If it's not moving yet, then he can push as lightly as he wants, for as short a distance as he wants. The lightest imaginable force will cause the object to accelerate, with acceleration equal to (force) divided by (mass), and then, once it's moving, the force need not be maintained.

The force required is: Any force greater than zero, no matter how small.

The distance through which the force must be maintained is: Any distance greater than zero, no matter how small.

So the work done is: Any amount of work greater than zero, no matter how small. Regardless of the mass of the object, or how far you want to see it move. Moving a larger mass, or moving it a longer distance, does not

require more work, so long as the direction is not parallel to gravity and friction is negligible.

<<>> simple answer: no net work is needed to move a mass along a level frictionless floor because the force does not operate against gravity. Any horizontal force applied adds to the object's momentum and kinetic energy, then the object will move for ever until another force acts to stop it.

Apply a force F for time t, then the impulse Ft is equal to the change of momentum mV. So the speed is a constant one of Ft/m.

Work is initially done equalling the kinetic energy imparted to the mass as it is moved. None of this energy is dissipated by friction. Once it has gained momentum, that energy is stored until when it is stopped, at which point the kinetic energy is given up to whatever agent is causing the stop.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Physics

A wooden block is released from rest at the top of a frictionless inclined plan and slides down to the bottomWhat convertions of energy are taking place as the block goes down the inclined plane?

As the wooden block slides down the frictionless inclined plane, potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. At the bottom of the incline, some of the kinetic energy will be converted back into potential energy due to the change in height. Overall, the total mechanical energy of the block (sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant throughout the motion.


If a block of concrete requires 2500 j to be moved 100m what is the weight of the block?

Work = force x distance;force = work/distance = 2500/100 = 25 Newtons weight which is about 2.5 kg mass


A block of mass is held motionless on a frictionless inclined plane by means of a string attached to a vertical wall what is the magnitude of the tension in the string?

The tension in the string would be equal to the component of the gravitational force pulling the block down the incline. This component is given by T = mgsin(theta), where m is the mass of the block, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and theta is the angle of the incline. Since the block is held motionless, this force balances out the component of gravity pulling the block down the incline.


How do you calculate the work of a block on an incline?

The work done by a block on an incline is calculated using the equation: work = force * distance * cos(theta), where force is the component of the weight of the block that acts parallel to the incline, distance is the displacement of the block along the incline, and theta is the angle between the force and the displacement vectors.


What is block and tackle?

A block and tackle is a system of pulleys and ropes used to lift heavy objects with less effort. It works by distributing the load across multiple pulleys, allowing a person to pull with less force than the weight of the object being lifted. Block and tackles are commonly used in various industries for lifting and moving heavy loads.

Related Questions

A bullet is fired into a block that is initially at rest at the edge of a frictionless table The bullet remians in the block and after impact the block lands a distance from the bottom of the table?

What are you asking? This is the worst question I've ever seen. If your question is "is the block at a distance from the bottom of the table?". If so yes. If the table is frictionless, as well as the box, it doesn't matter if the box is at the edge. It will literally, assuming there wasn't gravity, go on forever.


Can a repo person block you from moving a car?

Yes, if you're trying to interfere with them repossesing it.


A 260 g block on a 52.0 cm -long string swings in a circle on a horizontal frictionless table at 95.0 rpm .?

OK, it does. What of it? What precisely is your question?


A wooden block is released from rest at the top of a frictionless inclined plan and slides down to the bottomWhat convertions of energy are taking place as the block goes down the inclined plane?

As the wooden block slides down the frictionless inclined plane, potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. At the bottom of the incline, some of the kinetic energy will be converted back into potential energy due to the change in height. Overall, the total mechanical energy of the block (sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant throughout the motion.


Will a propeller work in an ideal fluid?

no. it needs some viscous drag to throw the water and drag the ship forward... feel like a block just gliding in frictionless plane...


What is a exampl of a glacier moving a boulder?

An erratic block.


What is City block distance in image processing?

the city block distance is the distance between two pixels. for example if we have two adjacent pixels their distance is 1 because they are adjacent. the this is used in edge detection applications


How far is a block in America?

A block is the distance between two minor streets leading off a major street. The actual distance (in yards) is notstandardized.


Can Instagram block a person?

Yes, Instagram can block a person if they don't follow the terms of service.


Block person imvu?

Go to that person's profile and there is something that says report person, click there and its gonna give you to option and one of them is to block that person(:


If a block of concrete requires 2500 j to be moved 100m what is the weight of the block?

Work = force x distance;force = work/distance = 2500/100 = 25 Newtons weight which is about 2.5 kg mass


Would a city block be 120 meters or 48 kilometer?

A city block is simply the distance from one intersection (or street light) to the next and can vary in distance depending on the city.