Trying to understand the relationship between Newtons, Joules and Work

[phleaf]

A force of 1 Newton times 3 meters, can that mean : a 1 kg mass pushed over 3 meters went from 0 to 1 m /s/s ?

 

[jedishrfu]

1 Newton x 1 meter = 1 joule

A joule is a measurement of energy. In your case, 1 Newton x 3 meters is 3 joules of energy.

Since you know the energy is 3 joules, what can you conclude about the velocity of a 1kg mass being pushed 3 meters.

 

[phleaf]

3 joules were needed to change the velocity from 0 to 1 m/s ?

 

[Nugatory]

You did 3 Joules of work on the mass. Energy is conserved so you know what its kinetic energy is. You can calculate its speed from that... and it won’t be 1 m/sec.

Or you can calculate the acceleration (you know the force and the mass) and use the equation that relates distance, time, and acceleration to calculate the time it took for the mass to move 3 meters. Once you have the time you can calculate its speed... and it should agree with the other speed calculation.

This would be a really good time to Google for “SUVAT equations”

 

[sophiecentaur]

0 to 1 m /s/s ?

Something wrong with your units there, I'm afraid - if you intended to describe uniform acceleration.