Work Through a Displacement At An Angle

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work done by a force of 65 N acting at an angle of 170° on an object that moves through a displacement of 2.2 m at an angle of 30°. The correct formula for work is W = F · d · cos(θ), where θ is the angle between the force and the direction of displacement. The user initially miscalculated the distance component but later realized that work is a scalar quantity derived from the dot product of the force and displacement vectors. The final solution involves correctly applying the dot product to find the work done.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector mathematics
  • Knowledge of scalar and vector quantities
  • Familiarity with the dot product concept
  • Basic trigonometry, specifically cosine functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector addition and subtraction techniques
  • Learn about the dot product in vector calculus
  • Explore applications of work in physics, particularly in mechanics
  • Review trigonometric identities and their applications in physics problems
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and vector analysis, as well as educators looking for examples of work calculations involving forces and angles.

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Homework Statement



Find the work done when a force of 65 N acting at an angle of 170° from the x-axis is applied to an object that moves through a displacement of 2.2 m at an angle of 30°.

Homework Equations



W = Fcos[tex]\Theta[/tex]d

where d is the distance moved in the direction of the force.

The Attempt at a Solution



I know I am slipping on my distance. The distance the object is traveling in the direction of the force is 2.2 m multiplied by the difference in the angles
W = ( 65 N ) * cos( 170° ) * ( 2.2 m ) * cos( 150° )

Obviously this is wrong, I don't understand how to find the distance part of the equation.
 
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Nevermind, I completely forgot that work is a scalar quantity and that obviously means it results from a dot product. I solved it...

I just found the vectors of the force and direction, and found their dot product.
 

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