Examples in which force is exerted on an object without doing work

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying examples where force is applied to an object without resulting in work being done, focusing on the definitions and conditions under which work is calculated in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definition of work and its relationship with force and displacement, questioning what conditions lead to zero work. Examples such as gravitational force and tension are suggested, along with scenarios involving forces acting on stationary objects.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing examples and clarifying the concept of work. Some guidance on the relationship between force and displacement has been offered, but there is no explicit consensus on the examples presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the definitions and implications of work in physics, with some uncertainty about how to apply these concepts to real-world examples. The discussion includes references to specific forces and their effects on objects in various states of motion.

Faiza
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Q.Give two examples in which force is exerted on an object without doing any work on the object.

ummm i can't think of any example, i think the upward force does not cause the horizontal displacement so this is a NON-example of work?
 
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I'm sure you know how "work" is defined. If the force isn't zero, then something else has to be (in order to make the work zero). What is that other thing? If you understand that, I don't think you will find it difficult to think of two, or even two hundred, examples.
 
work is force and displacement in the same direction so
 
example

force of gravity? cud that be one
 
Any time a force is exerted but the object is not displaced in a direction parallel to the force, work is not done.

Force of tension on a ball rotating on the end of a string.

Normal force and gravitational force on an object at rest or moving across a level floor.
 
Faiza u r close but not close enough!

Work is defined as dot product of Force vector f and displacement vector s.
W = f.s = fscos(theta)
where theta is the angle between f and s.
if this theta is pi/2 then cos(pi/2)=0 hence W = 0

if f is perpendicular to s then W = 0.

-- AI
 
ohh okay...i get it
 
Thanksss!
 
any other examples?
 
  • #10
Any force that doesn't move the object is a good example. Suppose e.g. that you're standing still on a slope. There are three forces acting on you, but none of them is doing any work, so you have three good examples right there.
 
  • #11
Go stand next to a solid wall and push on the wall as hard as you can...assuming the wall does not move...then you did no work on it.
 

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