Help finding the work done given 3 different distances?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work done by a student lifting a book weighing 0.95 N to different heights and distances. The correct approach involves recognizing that work is only done against gravity when lifting the book vertically. The total work done is calculated as W = Fd, where only the vertical displacements contribute to the work. The correct calculation yields 1.1875 J for the lift to 1.25 m and 0.7125 J for the lift to 2.0 m, with no work done during the horizontal movement of 8.0 m.

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  • Understanding of the work-energy principle
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  • Basic trigonometry for calculating work done at angles
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fixedglare
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Homework Statement



a student lifts a book of 0.95 N to a height of 1.25 m. Then the student carries the book to a shelf at a distance of 8.0 m and places it at a height of 2.0 m. How much work did the student realize over the book?

Homework Equations


W = Fd


The Attempt at a Solution



.95 N * 1.25 m + .95 N * 2.0 m + .95 N * 8.0 m = 1.2 + 1.9 + 7.6 = 10.7 J

Is this correct?
 
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No, since the only force in question here is weight force, and it doesn't do work at every displacement in the problem. It does for the lift from ground to 1.25m, but across the distance of 8.0m, does the force do any work? Think about the equation:
$$W = Fdcos\theta$$
Also, for the lift to 2.0m, you're misinterpreting the displacement. It says it's lifted to a height of 2.0m, not that the displacement is 2.0m. It starts at a height of 1.25m (from the first part), and then it's moved from there to 2.0m.
 

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