Work done on a particle by a nonconservative force

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the work done on a particle moving in an x,y plane under the influence of a nonconservative force represented by the vector < 2y, x^2 >. The particle moves from the origin (0,0) to the point (5,5), and there is a discrepancy between the calculated work and the expected solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integral of the dot product of the force and displacement vectors to calculate work done. There are questions about the correct setup of the integrals and the interpretation of the force components.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered different approaches to calculating work done, including integrating separately for each component of the force. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of the path taken on the work done due to the nonconservative nature of the force.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the work done by nonconservative forces can vary depending on the path taken, which is a point of contention in the discussion. There are references to previous related problems that may influence the current understanding of the situation.

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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