Work
The Concept of Work
Explain the concept of work
If a person pushes a wall and the wall does not move, though the person may sweat and physically become tired, he would not have done any work. But if the person pushes a trolley and the trolley moves it is said work is done.
The S.I Unit of Work
State the S.I unit of work
Work is the product of force and distance moved in the direction of the force.
Thus,
Work = Force (f) * distance (d) moved in the direction of the force.
SI unit of work is Joules.
The Work Done by an Applied Force
Determine the work done by an applied force
Example 1
A sack of maize, which weighs 800N, is lifted to a height of 2m. What is work done against gravity?
Data given:
Force (f) = 800N
Height distance = 2m
Work done = ?
Solution:
Work done (w.d) = force (f) x distance (d)
w.d = 800N x 2m
= 1600 Joules
Work done (w.d) = 1600Joules
