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fiziksfun
Nov20-08, 02:06 PM
Is work done if the total displacement is 0?

It doesn't matter what path the object took to get from A back to A, right? As long as it ends at A, then its zero work, correct?

So work IS NOT path dependent, it's a state function, like energy, right ?

Hootenanny
Nov20-08, 02:27 PM
Is work done if the total displacement is 0?
In general, yes.

It doesn't matter what path the object took to get from A back to A, right? As long as it ends at A, then its zero work, correct?
No. In general even if the displacement is zero when a force acts on a moving object, work is done.

So work IS NOT path dependent, it's a state function, like energy, right ?
Nope, work is path dependent.

For example, consider dragging a block across a rough surface for a distance of ten meters and then dragging it back to the same place you started. Did you do work on that block?