When a block is dragged across a table by a string that is parallel to the surface of a table how much work is done by the objects weight?
Work done = Force in direction of motion * distance in direction of motion
here = force = weight = something VERTICAL = m g
BUT
motion = something HORIZONTAL = 0
so
what is mg * 0.000... ???
To determine the amount of work done by the object's weight when a block is dragged across a table by a string that is parallel to the surface of the table, we need to understand the concept of work.
Work (W) is calculated as the product of force (F) applied on an object and the displacement (d) of the object in the direction of the force. Mathematically, it is expressed as:
W = F * d * cos(theta)
Where:
W = work done in joules (J)
F = force applied in newtons (N)
d = displacement of the object in meters (m)
(theta) = angle between the force and displacement vectors
In this scenario, the force applied on the block is due to gravity, which is its weight (W = m * g), where 'm' is the mass of the block, and 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity.
However, since the block is dragged parallel to the table surface by a string, the displacement of the block is also parallel to the force of gravity. Therefore, the angle (theta) between force and displacement is 0 degrees, and the cosine of 0 degrees is 1.
So, the equation for the work done by the object's weight simplifies to:
W = W * d * cos(0)
W = m * g * d * cos(0)
W = m * g * d
Therefore, the work done by the object's weight when the block is dragged across the table parallel to the surface is given by the equation W = m * g * d, where 'm' is the mass of the block, 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity, and 'd' is the displacement of the block.