Ok work...
work = net force parallel to displacement
lets say something was pushed up a ramp at a constant velocity and you were asked how much work was done by pushing the block
well the forces parellel to the displacement is the x component of gravity friction opposing motion and a force pushing it up the ramp...
now if velocity is constant then acceleration is zero
and newtons second law
net force = mass time acceleration
so the net force would equal zero
w = F d
w = 0 d
w = 0
I don't see how any work could be done in this situation
Please Explain
THANK YOU!
The work done BY PUSHING the block is the up-the-ramp component of the pushing force times the distance moved.
This Work is certainly not zero. The work done is coverted to both frictional heat and gravitational potential energy. In this case, none is converted to kinetic energy, however.
In the scenario you described, where an object is being pushed up a ramp at a constant velocity, it means that the object is not accelerating. Since the net force on the object is zero, we can conclude that no work is being done in this situation.
To understand why no work is being done, let's break down the forces involved:
1. Gravity: The force of gravity acts vertically downwards on the object. However, since the displacement is along the ramp, the force of gravity does not have any component parallel to the displacement. Therefore, it does not contribute to the work done on the object.
2. Friction: The friction force opposes the motion of the object. Again, since the displacement is along the ramp, the friction force is perpendicular to the displacement and does not contribute to the work done.
3. Force pushing up the ramp: This is the force applied to push the object up the ramp. Since the object is moving at a constant velocity, the force pushing up the ramp must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the combined forces of gravity and friction. This way, the net force is zero, balancing out the other forces.
Since the net force is zero, the work done is also zero, as work is defined as the product of the net force and the displacement. In this case, the absence of net force means no work is being done.
So, to answer your question, no work is being done when an object is being pushed up a ramp at a constant velocity because the net force is zero.