Help With Work Conceptualization - College Physics 1 Student

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of work in physics, particularly in the context of a college physics course. Participants explore the relationship between force, displacement, and the angle of applied force, as well as the implications of these factors on energy transfer.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about why only the component of force in the direction of displacement is considered when calculating work, particularly when force is applied at an angle.
  • Another participant suggests that applying force in the vertical direction does not contribute to work done in the horizontal direction, implying that it increases the overall effort required.
  • A participant questions whether the energy expended in the vertical component of force is separate from the energy used to move the object horizontally.
  • One reply emphasizes that the focus should be on the energy transferred to the object, regardless of the source of the force, and that energy directed into the ground is not relevant to the work done in moving the object horizontally.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the conceptualization of work, as there are differing views on the relevance of the vertical component of force and its impact on the energy required to move an object horizontally.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions of work and energy transfer, particularly in relation to the components of force and their contributions to work done in different directions.

amk0713
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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.
 
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If you try to shove your case into the Earth (y axis), how is that contributing to travel in the x axis? It isn't, it is creating more work for you.
 
So in that sense, work is simply the transfer of energy into the object in question? The energy used by my arms in pulling (or pushing) in the y component is separate and dependent on a different system?
 
Yes, you should concentrate on the energy placed into the object, whether F, the force, comes from your arms or an auto or anything else is not important. Force is a vector so it has components in this case in the x and y direction, you are looking only for work done pusing the case along the ground, if you wish to 'waste' some energy pushing it into the Earth that isn't what you are looking for.
 
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Great. Thank you. :)
 

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