Friday, October 31, 2008
QR: The force that gives back...
It appears that not all students were able to hear the good explanation that was given by the student in class on today's (only) quiz question. Sorry about that. So, let us have one or two students explain the answer to this question here on-line. Please volunteer and leave comments (especially if you need some extra credits).
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3 comments:
On the straight path the amount of work required for each action is equal. However, when the weight and the trunk are moved on curved paths, the work required is greater for the trunk. This is due to the fact that gravity is a conservation force and friction is a non-conservation force. As shown in class, the net work resulting from conservation forces depends not on the path, but rather on the end points. In contrast, the work resulting from non-conservation forces, such as friction, depends on the path. Since any curved path between two points is longer than a straight line, the work required to move the trunk must be greater when its path is curved. Since the end point is the same, the work required to lift the weight will remain the same.
That is a very clear explanation, J. Quinn! You are officially in the HFCC.
I agree, great explanation.
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