How Does Force Influence Potential Energy in Work Dynamics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between force, work, and potential energy within the context of work dynamics. Participants explore the definitions and implications of work done by forces, the concept of potential energy, and specific scenarios involving forces acting on objects, particularly in relation to friction and motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that work is defined as a force moving through a distance, emphasizing that only the component of force in the direction of displacement does work.
  • There is a proposal that potential energy is the capacity to do work, with the equation for potential energy being F x X when a force is applied to a mass.
  • One participant questions the potential energy of a box moved horizontally on a table, suggesting it has no potential energy to do work in that scenario.
  • Another participant notes that not all forces have associated potential energy, citing gravity as an example of a force that does, while friction does not.
  • Concerns are raised about the completeness of the scenario described, particularly regarding the forces acting on the box and their contributions to work and energy changes.
  • There is a discussion about the role of friction in stopping the box and whether the force applied does any work when the box comes to a stop.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of work done by forces, the role of potential energy, and the effects of friction. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives on these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the forces acting on the box and the specific conditions of motion are not fully specified, leading to uncertainty in the discussion. The relationship between kinetic energy changes and work done is also a point of contention.

chandran
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I just thought of work & energy as follows


work
A force F when moves through a distance x we say that work is done. In this we say that the component of force acting along the direction of displacement does the work. Why we say that? What the other component does?

potential energy
we say that potential energy of a system is its potential to do work. When we apply a force to a mass and the mass moves thro a distance x the the stored potential energy is F x X

so i say that the mass has the potential to do a work of F x X.

I imagine a situation where a box on a table is moved by a distance X horizontally. The box is not having any potential energy to do work. Why is this?
 
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chandran said:
work
A force F when moves through a distance x we say that work is done. In this we say that the component of force acting along the direction of displacement does the work. Why we say that? What the other component does?
Whatever it's doing, it's not transferring mechanical energy to an object.
potential energy
we say that potential energy of a system is its potential to do work. When we apply a force to a mass and the mass moves thro a distance x the the stored potential energy is F x X
Not all forces have an associated potential energy. For example: Gravity does; friction does not.


I imagine a situation where a box on a table is moved by a distance X horizontally. The box is not having any potential energy to do work. Why is this?
The situation is not fully specified. Are you exerting a force F in the direction of its displacement? If you are exerting a force F (and that's the only horizontal force) then work you do goes into increasing the kinetic energy, not the potential energy.
 
work
A force F when moves through a distance x we say that work is done. In this we say that the component of force acting along the direction of displacement does the work. Why we say that? What the other component does?

In order that the direction of displacement not be the direction the force is pointing, there must be some other force acting (if you push horizontally, and the object moves up an inclined plane, the plane is pushing back perpendicular to itself and is counter-acting the component of force in that direction.). The only net force is in the direction of motion.
 
docal,
the box i referred comes to a stop because of friction. so the kinetic energy change is zero. so can i say that the force which had pushed the box doesn't do any work?
 
chandran said:
the box i referred comes to a stop because of friction. so the kinetic energy change is zero. so can i say that the force which had pushed the box doesn't do any work?
I'm not sure I understand the situation. If the box is coming to a stop, how can the kinetic energy change be zero? If the only force on the box is friction, then it does negative work on the box, bringing it to rest.
 

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