General work of friction question

[jerad908]

Homework Statement

General WORK of friction question

Relevant Equations

energy

if the Work done by friction is -4.73 for object #1 but the work done by friction for object #2 is -4.63, in which scenario is the Work greater - the signs are throwing me off.

Also, let's say the initial elastic energy of a ball is 5 and its final energy is 0.27 (scenario #1) vs its final energy is 0.37 (scenario #2), in what scenario did it lose more energy? I am going to assume its scenario one because 0.27 final energy is less than 0.37 final energy however, the work done is -4.73 and isn't that smaller than -4.63?

 

[Lnewqban]

Welcome, jerad 908!

Try to see it as energy consumed (hence the negative sign) by friction between two surfaces or internally by the material of the ball (energy commonly converted to heat).

 

[haruspex]

if the Work done by friction is -4.73 for object #1 but the work done by friction for object #2 is -4.63, in which scenario is the Work greater - the signs are throwing me off.

It depends which work you are referring to (work done by friction or work remaining in the object) and what you mean by greater than (as magnitude or as a scalar).
It might help if you post the question as given to you, word for word.