Calculating Work Done by a Push: Weight vs Push Forces

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work done on an object when two forces are acting on it: the weight and an exerted push. Participants explore which force to consider based on the direction of displacement, discussing the application of the work formula in different scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions which force to use for calculating work, given both weight and push forces are present.
  • Another participant states that only the component of force in the direction of displacement contributes to work.
  • A suggestion is made to consider the force that acts in the same direction as the movement, with a call for more detailed scenario description.
  • One participant proposes that if the displacement is downward, the weight should be used, while if it is horizontal, the push should be considered.
  • A later reply confirms this understanding but emphasizes the importance of reading the question carefully, suggesting that the work done by the push may be the focus, rendering the weight irrelevant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express some agreement on the relationship between displacement direction and the relevant force for work calculation, but there is no consensus on the specific application or interpretation of the quiz question.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the scenario and the specific question being asked, indicating potential limitations in the information provided.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals interested in physics concepts related to work, force, and displacement, particularly in the context of homework or quizzes.

kaweezah
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my teacher gave the class a quiz and one of the questions was to calculate the work done. the formula for work is force x distance. my problem was that their were two forces given, the weight and the exerted push.. which one should i have used?
 
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Which way is the object moving? The only force that contributes to the work on an object is the component in the direction of the object's displacement.
 
You should take into account the force portion which is in the same direction of the movement. Anyway, it is better to describe the scenario more in detail.
 
so if the displacement is downward i use the weight and if it's horizontal i use the push. am i getting the idea correctly?
 
kaweezah said:
so if the displacement is downward i use the weight and if it's horizontal i use the push. am i getting the idea correctly?
That's right, but be sure to read the question carefully. They are probably asking for the work done by the push (not the work done by all forces). If so, the weight is irrelevant regardless of how it moves.
 

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