Activity 1-2: Calculating Work When the Force and Displacement Lie Along the Sam

Question

Activity 1-2: Calculating Work When the Force and Displacement Lie Along the Same Line and When They Don't In this activity, you will use a force probe to measure the force needed to pull a cart up an inclined ramp. You will examine two situations. First you will exert a force parallel to the surface of the ramp, and then you will exert a force at an angle to the ramp. You will then be able to see how to calculate the work when the force and displacement are not in the same direction in such a way that the result makes physical sense. 150 REALTIME PHYSICS: MECHANICS In Activity 12, why are you asked to pull both parallel to the plane and at a 60° angle to the plane? 2.

Explanation / Answer

In pulling the cart up the inclined plane, work is done against gravity only (assuming there is no friction). That is, work done is equal in number but of opposite sign, to that of wrok done by gravity. Work done by gravity in both cases is same, as it does not depend upon, how the cart is pulled.
Hence work done by force in both cases is same. When pulled at two different angles with, amount of force applied is different. This shows that work done by force depends upon, angle between force and displacement.

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