How would you calculate the work done

  • Thread starter Thread starter stunner5000pt
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Work Work done
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work done by a force that depends on the direction of velocity, specifically in the context of a particle moving along different paths, including a straight line and a parabolic curve. The subject area includes concepts from vector calculus and physics related to work and energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore parametrizing paths for calculating work done, questioning the correct expressions for force and differential quantities. They discuss the implications of using different paths and the corresponding integrals.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on simplifying the calculations, while others are seeking confirmation on their understanding and interpretations of the integrals involved. There is an ongoing exploration of different approaches to the problem without a clear consensus on the correctness of specific methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the definitions of differential quantities and arc length, as well as the implications of substituting these into their work calculations. There is mention of using computational tools for integration, which introduces additional uncertainty regarding the results.

stunner5000pt
Messages
1,447
Reaction score
5
if the force depended on the DIRECTION of the VELOCITY
that is [tex]\vec{F} = - F \hat{v}[/tex].
so suppose it was dragged along a path - say from (0,0) to (1,1) i na straight line what is the work done?
It going in a striaght line so we could parametrize the curve into r(t) = (t,t)
and r'(t) = (1,1) right
and thus v hat = (1,1) as well then?
now the problem is the work depends on the direction of the velocity

so then the work done is [tex]W = -F \int_{0}^{1} (1,1) (1,1) dt[/tex] is that right?

ok so let's say it was dragged along the curve y = x^2
then r(t) = (t,t^2)
and r'(t) = (1,2t)
and [tex]\hat{v} = \frac{(1,2t)}{\sqrt{1+4t^2}}[/tex]
ok but what the dirrefetial quantity fo the function here? Is it (t,t^2) dt?
so then is
[tex]W = -F \int_{0}^{1} \frac{(1,2t))}{\sqrt{1+4t^2}} (t,t^2) dt[/tex]
is that right?

Please help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You should use:

[tex]W=\int \vec F \cdot d\vec x = \int \vec F \cdot \vec v \mbox{ } dt[/tex]

If [itex]\vec F = -|F| \hat v[/itex], then:

[tex]W= \int -|F|\hat v \cdot \vec v \mbox{ } dt = -|F|\int |v|\hat v \cdot \hat v \mbox{ } dt[/tex]

[tex]= -|F| \int |v|dt = -|F| \int ds[/tex]

So you don't have to do most of that work you did.
 
Last edited:
oh ok that seems much simpler
but was i did correct by the way?

doing it the simpler way though...
for the straight line from (0,0) to (1,1)
the integrand would be
[tex]\int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{1} (1,1) \bullet (1,1) dx dy[/tex] ?
and for hte line from (0,0) to (1,1) along y = x^2
[tex]\int_{0}^{1} \ int_{y=0}^{y=x^2} (1,1) \bullet (1,1) dy dx[/tex]

are thos correct?
 
No, there aren't any double integrals in this. 'ds' means the differential arclength. Note that I substituted it in for |v|dt. The integral of ds over a segment of a curve is the length of that segment of the curve. For a curve y(x) in 2D, ds2=dx2+dy2=dx2(1+(dy/dx)2). For example, for the straight line from (0,0) to (1,1), [itex]\int ds =\sqrt{2}[/itex].
 
Last edited:
ooooo i see i understnad now
there was another part of this problem that involved proving what you proved in your first post. I totally disregaraded the meaning of dS. SO the integral of dS represents the arc length.

so for the y=x^2 function the arc legnth would be for r(t) = (t,t^2) and r'(t) = (1,2t)
[tex]\int_{0}^{1} \sqrt{1 + 4t^2} dt[/tex] yes?
 
can i get a confirmation on my answer? Is it right? I m not sure on how to integrate it though. I tried using mathematica and got an answer that involved sinh which i haven ot come across as of yet.
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
1K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
2K