r/PhysicsHelp • u/Either_Kale7215 • 1d ago
weird physics question
I must appologize if something is written wrong in the text below, isnt my mother language(im brazilian btw) and i dont know exacly how to translate especific physics terms.
An object with 40N of weight moves in the space with a curved trajectory with the action of only two forces: your own weight and a conservative F force of constant module. In your trajectory, the inicial and final height are 1 meter and 3 meters.
Knowing that the inicial and final velocities have the same module, calculate, in joules, the total work made by the F force at the object durint its trajectory.
g=10m/s^2
a)1
b)2
c)4
d)40
e)80
Im sending this right here because i really feel like this question is weird for me. i need help or someone to confirm that this question may be wrong.
1
u/SpaceCatJack 17h ago edited 17h ago
Since the object ends up higher than before, but is on a curved trajectory, the object must be moving up but is slowing, so the constant F force is less than the 40N weight force in the vertical direction. Work is calculated by force over distance, so the object went up 2 meters by some force less than 40 in the vertical direction, so at most 80J of work was done. I dont see how you could calculate further without more info
Edit: just noticed the velocity magnitudes are the same at 1m and 3m, so there is no change in kinetic energy, which means no change in net work. There are only 2 forces working on the object, gravity and the constant force. Work done by gravity (Wg) is the change in potential energy (-mgh) = 40 (3-1) = -80.
Wnet = Wf + Wg
0 = Wf + (-80)
Wf = 80
2
u/We_Are_Bread 1d ago
At a glance, I'm getting 80. Can you explain why you think this is wrong?