Trying to understand the relationship between Newtons, Joules and Work

In summary, a force of 1 Newton x 3 meters is equivalent to 3 joules of energy. This energy is used to change the velocity of a 1kg mass, but it will not result in a velocity of 1 m/s. It is possible to calculate the speed of the mass using the SUVAT equations, which relate distance, time, and acceleration. However, the units of "m/s/s" do not make sense for describing uniform acceleration.
  • #1
phleaf
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A force of 1 Newton times 3 meters, can that mean : a 1 kg mass pushed over 3 meters went from 0 to 1 m /s/s ?
 
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  • #2
1 Newton x 1 meter = 1 joule

A joule is a measurement of energy. In your case, 1 Newton x 3 meters is 3 joules of energy.

Since you know the energy is 3 joules, what can you conclude about the velocity of a 1kg mass being pushed 3 meters.
 
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  • #3
3 joules were needed to change the velocity from 0 to 1 m/s ?
 
  • #4
You did 3 Joules of work on the mass. Energy is conserved so you know what its kinetic energy is. You can calculate its speed from that... and it won’t be 1 m/sec.

Or you can calculate the acceleration (you know the force and the mass) and use the equation that relates distance, time, and acceleration to calculate the time it took for the mass to move 3 meters. Once you have the time you can calculate its speed... and it should agree with the other speed calculation.

This would be a really good time to Google for “SUVAT equations”
 
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  • #5
phleaf said:
0 to 1 m /s/s ?
Something wrong with your units there, I'm afraid - if you intended to describe uniform acceleration.
 

What is the relationship between Newtons, Joules, and Work?

The relationship between Newtons, Joules, and Work is that Newtons are a unit of force, Joules are a unit of energy, and Work is a measure of the amount of force applied over a certain distance. These three units are interconnected and are used to describe the physical concepts of force, energy, and work.

How are Newtons, Joules, and Work calculated?

Newtons are calculated by dividing the force applied by the mass of an object. Joules are calculated by multiplying the force applied by the distance over which the force is applied. Work is calculated by multiplying the force applied by the distance over which the force is applied.

What is the significance of understanding the relationship between Newtons, Joules, and Work?

Understanding the relationship between Newtons, Joules, and Work is important in physics and engineering. It allows us to quantify and measure the forces and energy involved in different physical processes and systems. This understanding is crucial in designing and analyzing structures, machines, and other systems.

How does the concept of work relate to everyday life?

The concept of work is present in many aspects of everyday life. For example, when we lift a heavy object, we are applying a force over a distance, which is work. When we ride a bike, we are converting our energy into mechanical work to move the bike forward. Understanding the concept of work can also help us conserve energy and be more efficient in our daily activities.

Can you give an example of how Newtons, Joules, and Work are related in a real-life scenario?

One example of how Newtons, Joules, and Work are related is in a person pushing a car up a hill. The person is applying a force (measured in Newtons) to the car over a certain distance, which requires energy (measured in Joules). The work done by the person is the force applied multiplied by the distance, and this work is used to move the car up the hill.

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