# Finding Work from Force Equation

1. Feb 23, 2014

### mintsnapple

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations
W = F*d

3. The attempt at a solution
a. W = Ce^(ax)*2a^-1
b. W = Ce^(ax)*2a^-1
c. w = Ce^(ax)*(-4a^-1)

I feel like this problem is more than just this simple...

2. Feb 23, 2014

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
Those results don't look right.

What do you get for the indefinite integral $\displaystyle \int C e^{\alpha x}\ dx \ \ ?$

3. Feb 23, 2014

### haruspex

... in particular, there should not be any x in the answers.

4. Feb 23, 2014

### mintsnapple

Ah, I just re-read the question and saw my mistake.

How would I approach this problem with a changing force though? Do I just plug in the end position, and multiply that force by displacement?

5. Feb 23, 2014

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
dW = F dx .

You need to integrate to integrate the force with respect to x .

6. Feb 24, 2014

### mintsnapple

Ahh, I see. So integrate the force with respect to x, and use the positions as my limits.

7. Feb 24, 2014

Yes.