- #1
amk0713
- 14
- 0
Hi there. College Physics 1 student here, having a bit of trouble conceptualizing work, and would really appreciate a bit of help.
It makes sense to me that work is simply the product of force and distance. However, when force is applied at an angle, why do we only take into consideration the direction of displacement?
For example, if I am pulling a suitcase a distance of d in the positive x direction with a handle at angle theta the equation for work is W = Fdcos(theta). What happened to the y component of F? Furthermore, in this case does pulling an object at an angle decrease the amount of energy needed since displacing an object in the x direction with force applied at 90 degrees equals 0?
Thank you.
It makes sense to me that work is simply the product of force and distance. However, when force is applied at an angle, why do we only take into consideration the direction of displacement?
For example, if I am pulling a suitcase a distance of d in the positive x direction with a handle at angle theta the equation for work is W = Fdcos(theta). What happened to the y component of F? Furthermore, in this case does pulling an object at an angle decrease the amount of energy needed since displacing an object in the x direction with force applied at 90 degrees equals 0?
Thank you.