What does "Work done on the object" mean

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"Work done on the object" refers to the energy transferred to an object by various forces, which can include friction or conservative forces, and can involve complex systems with energy exchange between parts. In contrast, "work done by the net force" is criticized for oversimplifying the concept by conflating forces with their effects, failing to emphasize the object receiving the force. This phrase is essentially synonymous with the change in kinetic energy of the object, making it less informative. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately analyzing energy transfer in physics. The discussion highlights the importance of clarity in terminology when discussing work and energy.
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what is the difference between "work done on the object" and "work done by the net force"? if there is a difference, can u give me an example? thanks thx
 
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"Work done on the object" is a general phrase ;
the source Force can be specified (as, "W on object by friction Force"),
they can be a subset of Forces ("total W by all the conservative Forces") (=PE's),
they can be the entire set of all Forces applied to the object.
The object can be a system composed of multiple parts, with the parts
able to Exchange Energy with another part.
The approach introduced by this phrase can be extended to treat thermal Energy transfer.

Here, the source Force might *by implication* be a Force that has been
the focus of the last paragraph or two.

"Work done by the net Force" is a lousy phrase ;
it rewards students who do not distinguish cause (Forces, with sources)
from effect (ma).
It avoids mention of the most important item of the process (the OBJECT which Force is applied to...). It is always equal to the change in the (implied) object's KE, so it is at best a riddle-name for d KE.
 
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