What equations would I use to solve for work and power delivered?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a particle moving under the influence of a force defined by the equation Fx = 6 + 4x - 3x². Participants are tasked with finding the work done by this force as the particle moves from x = 0 to x = 2 m, as well as the power delivered to the particle at x = 2 m.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the basic equation for work done by a force and question the correctness of the force equation's form. There are attempts to clarify the integration process needed to find work and the relationship between work and power.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various attempts to clarify the integration process and the calculations involved in finding work and power. Some participants express uncertainty about the integration results and the implications for calculating power without a time variable. There is acknowledgment of potential mistakes in the integration process, but no consensus on the correct values has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note confusion regarding the integration bounds and the relationship between work and power, particularly in the absence of time information. There is also mention of a possible error in the problem statement itself, which may affect the calculations.

george256
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A 6 kg particle starts from rest at x = 0 and moves under the influence of a single force Fx = 6 + 4x - 3x2, where Fx is in Newtons and x is in meters.

(a) Find the work done by the force as the particle moves from x = 0 to x = 2 m.
in J
(b) Find the power delivered to the particle when it is at x = 2 m.
in W
 
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How do you determine the work done on an object given a certain force acting over a certain distance? This should be a very basic equation that you should know the equation for.

Also, the units seem to be a bit odd, are you sure that's the correct form of the force?
 
fx is 6+4x-3x^2 sorry about that. and would i use the equation w= integral of fx from distance initial to distance final?
 
george256 said:
fx is 6+4x-3x^2 sorry about that. and would i use the equation w= integral of fx from distance initial to distance final?

Yes. There you go. Your integration bounds are given the initial and final distances.
 
ok now do i have to integrate the fx or is that already accomplished and i should just plug in the numbers, because when i integrate that i get -x^3+2x^2+6x and when i integrate from 0 to 2 i get the answer incorrect.
 
No, you must integrate the function. Check your work, you integrated correctly.
 
and also how can i find power without a time given
 
For that after i integrate i get 20 is that incorrect?
 
No, that's not correct.

I didn't even notice the part asking about power. I really think you haven't written down the problem correctly. Are you sure you don't mean [itex]x(t) = 6 + 4t - 3t^2[/itex]?
 
  • #10
that is the exact copy of my problem. i just looked it over and i am not sure where i am going wrong when i integrate all i should have to do is plug 2 in as x correct because 0 will just yield 0 when plugged in as x
 
  • #11
You don't have enough information to determine the power.

When you integrate, you should get the work done = 12J, not 20J (check your algebra). I highly doubt you have copied the question correctly. There is no way to determine the power with what you are given.
 
  • #12
that is what i thought and i just double checked that. when you integrate is it products of time inital minus time final? is that where i am making my mistake. I have not integrated in a very long time.
 
  • #13
never mind i realize what i did wrong in integration. stupid mistake. I wish i could figure out the power though
 
  • #14
thanks for your help. i appreciate it. i just gave up on the power. if you could not figure it out i knew it must not be possible.
 

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