Work done on a particle by a nonconservative force

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the work done on a particle moving under a nonconservative force represented by the vector <2y, x^2> from the origin to the point (5,5). The initial attempt at solving the problem resulted in an incorrect value of 175 J, while the correct answer is 66.7 J. The confusion arises from the proper application of the dot product of force and displacement vectors, with the realization that the integration should be performed along the correct path. It is clarified that work done by nonconservative forces varies with the path taken, contrasting with conservative forces where work depends only on initial and final positions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between force components and displacement in calculating work done.
Pinkk
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Homework Statement


A particle moves from a point of origin on an x,y plane to the point (5,5) with the units of the plane being meters. The force the particle experiences is given by the vector < 2y, x^2 >. Calculate the work done on the particle as it moves from (0,0) to (5,5).

Homework Equations


So I know work done is equal to the integral of the dot product of the force and displacement vectors.

The Attempt at a Solution


So I attempted to take the integral from (0,0) to (5,5) of < 2y , x^2 > * < dx, dy> and got an answer of 175 J. But the solution is apparently 66.7 J. I have no idea how to arrive to such a solution.

Much help would be appreciated, thanks.

Edit: Okay, I can see how to arrive at such a solution if it were the dot product of < 2y, x^2> * < dy, dx >. Is this simply an error on the textbook's part? Having < dy, dx > does not make sense.
 
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Work done by Fx = Intg(x^2)dx between 0 to 5.
Work done by Fy = Intg(2y)dy between 0 to 5
Add them to get net work done.
 
But why is it (x^2)dx and (2y)dy when the x component is 2y and the y component is x^2?
 
Pinkk said:
But why is it (x^2)dx and (2y)dy when the x component is 2y and the y component is x^2?
Because Fx.dx = (2y).dx = 0 So to reach the point (5 , 5), we have to take Fx.dy and Fy.dx
 
Does that only apply then the path of trajection is along <dx,dy>? Because a previous question related to this problem was to find the work done when going along the x-axis 5 m to the right and then going up to the point (5,5). In that case I did integral from (0,0) to (5,0) of 2ydx plus integral from (5,0) to (5,5) of (x^2)dy. I did so because the displacement vector for the first integral is < dx , 0 > and the displacement vector for the second integral is < 0 , dy >, and my answer was correct.
 
Work done does not depend on the path taken by particle. It only depends on the initial position and the final position. So we have a choice to take any path.
 
But this is a nonconservative force, where the work done DOES differ depending on the path taken. In fact, the question statements after the problem that the work done will differ, and the answers for the work done for each given path are different.
 
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