Is Negative Work Possible with a String?

AI Thread Summary
Negative work is not performed by the string in the discussed system because there is no relative motion between the string and the disk. The string converts some gravitational work into rotational kinetic energy, which affects the disk's vertical speed. The tension in the string contributes to the linear forces on the disk, resulting in a linear acceleration less than gravitational acceleration. The analogy of a rolling ball illustrates that static friction maintains motion without doing work, while sliding would involve negative work due to kinetic friction. Overall, the string's role is to facilitate energy conversion rather than perform work.
eurekameh
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Shouldn't there be negative work done by the string?
 
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eurekameh said:
Shouldn't there be negative work done by the string?
As it turns out, no.

There would be [negative] work done by the string if the disk's axle was sliding on the string, causing the system to heat up. But that's not what's happening here. Whenever and wherever the string and disk are in contact, there is no relative motion between the string and disk. Given that fact, how does W = F·s apply?
 
Thanks. That makes so much more sense. Am I right in saying that the only thing the string is doing is converting some of the work of gravity into rotational kinetic energy, and if there was no string to begin with, the disk would translate vertically at a faster speed than if the string was there to convert some of the work to rotational kinetic energy?
 
eurekameh said:
Thanks. That makes so much more sense. Am I right in saying that the only thing the string is doing is converting some of the work of gravity into rotational kinetic energy, and if there was no string to begin with, the disk would translate vertically at a faster speed than if the string was there to convert some of the work to rotational kinetic energy?
I suppose that's a valid way to look at it. :approve: The relationship of v = (0.1 m)ω in this case is due to the string, in part. And the tension on the string also contributes to the sum of linear forces acting on the disk (which explain's why the disk's linear acceleration is less than g). The string just doesn't do any work though.

A ball of radius r rolling on a hard, flat surface (ignoring air resistance) will continue rolling indefinitely. No work is being on the ball or by the ball. Yet it is the force of static friction that keeps the ball rolling, as opposed to sliding, and thus plays a role in determining the v = ωr relationship.
 
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But if it was sliding instead, the force of kinetic friction would be doing negative work?
Also, if there was absolutely no friction at all, the ball would still be going indefinitely, but without rotation, right?
 
Right. :approve:
 

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