Displacement at an angle to the Force


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Displacement at an angle to the Force

Displacement at an Angle to the Force: Consider an object of mass (m) in sliding on an inclined surface. In general, if the displacement “s” of an object makes an angle θ with the force F acting on it, the work done by the force is:W = Fs cos θ.

Work done the by the force can be posititve, negative and zero based on the value of cos theta.

Positive Work Done: The work done is positive when there is net displacement in the direction of force this is possible when the angle between the force and displacemnt is an acute angle.The force of gravity on this object is mg, which acts in the vertically downward direction. We can say that the object is displaced in the vertically downward direction. Since the displacement in the direction of the force is AB, the work done is:

W = mg ( AB )= mg ( s cos θ ) = mg

Here  θ is an acute angle.

Zero Work Done:  Work done can be zero if the angle between displacement and force is 90 degree. because if the line of action of force is perpendicular to displacemnet, we can say that the displacement is not because of this force.

W = mg(s cos θ) , as cos θ = 0  , therefore W = 0

Neagtive Work Done:  Work done can be negative of the angle between force and dispalcement is an obtuse angle. This is the situation in which the force applied is opposing the displacement. The example is the case when we apply brakes on the road. the road can be plane or inclined.

W  =  mg(s cos θ) ,  as cos θ  has  a negative value , therefore W = negative value

Sample Questions
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Question : 1

A force of 10 N acts on a body towards the east. The work done by the force while the body moves through 1 m in the east-north direction (midway between east and north) is

Right Option : B
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Question : 2

A roller is pushed with a force of 100 N along its handle, which is at an angle of  30^o with the horizontal. Find the work done in moving through 10 m.

Right Option : A
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Explanation
Question : 3

A force of 10 N displaces an object through 20 cm and does work of 1 J in the process. Find the angle between the force and the displacement.

Right Option : C
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Explanation
 
 


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