Can Static Friction Do Positive Work? A Pen and Paper Experiment

[Pathos_Verdes]

I was left bewildered by a question our teacher left us to think about over the next week. He asked us how we can demonstrate static friction doing positive work, using a pen and a sheet of paper. Can anyone tell me how I can do this, and why this is so?

 

[Berko]

I'm not sure what you are asking for. Do you just need an example of static friction doing positive work?

 

[I like Serena]

I was left bewildered by a question our teacher left us to think about over the next week. He asked us how we can demonstrate static friction doing positive work, using a pen and a sheet of paper. Can anyone tell me how I can do this, and why this is so?

Any vehicle is moved forward by static friction...

 

[PhanthomJay]

How about the static friction force acting on a crate sitting on the flat bed of an accelerating truck? If the crate is not moving with respect to the truck, is the static friction force doing work??

 

[Pathos_Verdes]

He didn't give us any other detail. Just those I have stated.

 

[PhanthomJay]

I think he wants you to place a pen on a sheet of paper, then pull the paper with the pen not moving relative to it.

Or maybe he wants you to draw a sketch on the paper using a pen instead of a pencil.

If it's the first case, what does this show, if anything?

 

[I like Serena]

He didn't give us any other detail. Just those I have stated.

So put your pen on the paper and rotate it, or move it, so the paper starts moving.
That should do the trick.