A particle moves along the positive x–axis under the action of a variable force
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A particle moves along the positive x–axis under the action of a variable force. The relation between the applied force and displacement is represented by an F–x graph drawn on ordinary Cartesian axes.
(i) State the physical quantity represented by the algebraic area enclosed between the force–displacement curve and the x-axis.
(ii) Explain how you can identify from the graph whether the work done in a particular interval of displacement is positive, negative or zero.
(iii) Describe a systematic procedure to obtain the total work done when the force–displacement curve is highly irregular and cannot be represented by a single simple geometric shape.