Topic 12

Work

Work is force times distance: W=F⋅dW = F\cdot d when the force is constant, and W=∫abF(x) dxW = \displaystyle\int_a^b F(x)\,dx when it changes. Use newtons and meters, and the answer comes out in . For tanks and ropes, slice the object so each piece has one force and one distance.

4 kinds of question. Open the one you are stuck on.

1

Find the work done by a variable force

e.g. “A force of F(x)F(x) N moves an object from x=ax = a to x=bx = b m. Find the work”
  1. 1
    Write the force F(x)F(x) and the interval [a,b][a, b]

    Convert to newtons and meters first. Lifting a mass mm kg takes the force F=mgF = mg with g=9.8g = 9.8 m/s2^2.

  2. 2
    Set up W=∫abF(x) dxW = \displaystyle\int_a^b F(x)\,dx

    A constant force needs no integral: W=F⋅(b−a)W = F\cdot(b - a). The integral gives the same thing.

  3. 3
    Evaluate the integral
  4. 4
    Answer in joules, or solve for the unknown

    If the work is given, set the integral equal to it and solve.

Remember: Force times distance, added up.

See it in a problem3 worked examples

A force of F(x)=6x2+2xF(x) = 6x^2 + 2x N acts on an object as it moves from x=1x = 1 m to x=3x = 3 m. Find the work done.

  1. 1
    Write the force F(x)F(x) and the interval [a,b][a, b]

    F(x)=6x2+2xF(x) = 6x^2 + 2x on [1,3][1, 3], already in newtons and meters.

  2. 2
    Set up W=∫abF(x) dxW = \displaystyle\int_a^b F(x)\,dx

    W=∫13(6x2+2x) dxW = \displaystyle\int_1^3 (6x^2 + 2x)\,dx.

  3. 3
    Evaluate the integral

    [2x3+x2]13=(54+9)−(2+1)=60\Big[2x^3 + x^2\Big]_1^3 = (54 + 9) - (2 + 1) = 60.

  4. 4
    Answer in joules, or solve for the unknown

    W=60W = 60 J.

Answer:

W=60W = 60 J

Common mistakes3
  • Mixing units: centimeters and grams must become meters and kilograms before you multiply. 11 J =1= 1 N⋅\cdotm.
  • Using the mass as the force. Lifting 22 kg takes 2×9.8=19.62 \times 9.8 = 19.6 N, not 22 N.
  • Dropping the constant when it is the unknown: keep cc in front of the integral until the last step.
2

Find the work done stretching a spring using Hooke's law

e.g. “A force of … N is required to hold a spring stretched … cm beyond its natural length”
  1. 1
    Convert every length to meters
  2. 2
    Find kk from F=kxF = kx

    This is . xx is the stretch beyond the , not the total length. A hanging mass mm gives F=mgF = mg.

  3. 3
    Write the limits aa, bb as stretches beyond natural length
  4. 4
    Integrate: W=∫abkx dx=k2(b2−a2)W = \displaystyle\int_a^b kx\,dx = \tfrac{k}{2}(b^2 - a^2)

Remember: Find k, then integrate kx.

See it in a problem3 worked examples

A force of 1212 N holds a spring stretched 44 cm beyond its natural length. How much work does it take to stretch it from natural length to 1010 cm beyond?

  1. 1
    Convert every length to meters

    44 cm =0.04= 0.04 m and 1010 cm =0.1= 0.1 m.

  2. 2
    Find kk from F=kxF = kx

    12=k(0.04)12 = k(0.04), so k=300k = 300 N/m.

  3. 3
    Write the limits aa, bb as stretches beyond natural length

    From x=0x = 0 to x=0.1x = 0.1.

  4. 4
    Integrate: W=∫abkx dx=k2(b2−a2)W = \displaystyle\int_a^b kx\,dx = \tfrac{k}{2}(b^2 - a^2)

    W=∫00.1300x dx=150(0.1)2=1.5W = \displaystyle\int_0^{0.1} 300x\,dx = 150(0.1)^2 = 1.5.

Answer:

W=1.5W = 1.5 J

Common mistakes3
  • Using the spring's total length as xx. If the natural length is 3030 cm, a 4040 cm spring has x=0.1x = 0.1 m.
  • Leaving lengths in cm: kk comes out 100100 times too small and the work 100100 times too big.
  • Computing F⋅dF \cdot d with the holding force. The spring's force grows as it stretches, so you must integrate.
3

Find the work needed to pump water out of a tank

e.g. “How much work does it take to pump out all the water?”
  1. 1
    Put yy on a vertical axis; slice the liquid horizontally

    Take yy as height above the bottom. Each slice is a thin layer of thickness dydy.

  2. 2
    Find the slice's area A(y)A(y), so its volume is A(y) dyA(y)\,dy

    Similar triangles for cones and troughs, Pythagoras for spheres.

  3. 3
    Its weight: ρg A(y) dy\rho g\,A(y)\,dy

    For water the is ρ=1000\rho = 1000 kg/m3^3. Use g=9.8g = 9.8 m/s2^2.

  4. 4
    Find how far that slice must rise

    To the top of the tank or to the spout: (outlet height) − y- \,y.

  5. 5
    Integrate weight × distance over the liquid only

Remember: Slice, weigh, lift, add.

See it in a problem3 worked examples

A vertical cylindrical tank has radius 22 m and height 55 m and holds water 44 m deep. Find the work to pump all the water out through a spout 11 m above the top of the tank.

  1. 1
    Put yy on a vertical axis; slice the liquid horizontally

    yy = height above the bottom, 0≤y≤40 \le y \le 4 (the water).

  2. 2
    Find the slice's area A(y)A(y), so its volume is A(y) dyA(y)\,dy

    A(y)=π(2)2=4πA(y) = \pi(2)^2 = 4\pi, the same for every slice.

  3. 3
    Its weight: ρg A(y) dy\rho g\,A(y)\,dy

    1000(9.8)(4π) dy=39 200π dy1000(9.8)(4\pi)\,dy = 39\,200\pi\,dy N.

  4. 4
    Find how far that slice must rise

    The spout is at 5+1=65 + 1 = 6 m, so the slice rises 6−y6 - y.

  5. 5
    Integrate weight × distance over the liquid only

    W=∫0439 200π(6−y) dy=39 200π[6y−y22]04=39 200π(16)=627 200πW = \displaystyle\int_0^4 39\,200\pi(6 - y)\,dy = 39\,200\pi\Big[6y - \tfrac{y^2}{2}\Big]_0^4 = 39\,200\pi(16) = 627\,200\pi.

Answer:

W=627 200π≈1.97×106W = 627\,200\pi \approx 1.97 \times 10^6 J

Common mistakes4
  • Integrating over the whole tank when it is only partly full: yy runs over the water, not the tank.
  • Forgetting the spout: a spout 11 m above the top adds 11 m to every slice's distance.
  • Using the cone's top radius for every slice. The radius changes with yy. Get it from similar triangles.
  • Forgetting gg: ρA(y) dy\rho A(y)\,dy is a mass, not a force.
4

Find the work to lift a rope, chain or leaking bucket

e.g. “A … m cable of mass … kg is used to lift a bucket. How much work is needed?”
  1. 1
    Let yy be the distance already pulled up, 0≤y≤L0 \le y \le L

    LL is how far you pull. It can be less than the rope's length.

  2. 2
    Write the mass still hanging, m(y)m(y)

    Rope: density ×\times (length left). Add any load. Leaking bucket: time =y÷= y \div speed, then subtract what has leaked.

  3. 3
    Force needed: F(y)=m(y) gF(y) = m(y)\,g
  4. 4
    Integrate: W=∫0LF(y) dyW = \displaystyle\int_0^L F(y)\,dy

Remember: The load gets lighter as you pull.

See it in a problem3 worked examples

A 1212 m rope of density 0.50.5 kg/m hangs from a roof with a 44 kg tool bag tied to its end. How much work does it take to pull the rope and bag up to the roof?

  1. 1
    Let yy be the distance already pulled up, 0≤y≤L0 \le y \le L

    yy = meters pulled up, 0≤y≤120 \le y \le 12.

  2. 2
    Write the mass still hanging, m(y)m(y)

    Rope left: 12−y12 - y m, so m(y)=0.5(12−y)+4=10−y2m(y) = 0.5(12 - y) + 4 = 10 - \tfrac{y}{2} kg.

  3. 3
    Force needed: F(y)=m(y) gF(y) = m(y)\,g

    F(y)=9.8(10−y2)F(y) = 9.8\left(10 - \tfrac{y}{2}\right) N.

  4. 4
    Integrate: W=∫0LF(y) dyW = \displaystyle\int_0^L F(y)\,dy

    W=9.8∫012(10−y2)dy=9.8(120−36)=823.2W = 9.8\displaystyle\int_0^{12}\left(10 - \tfrac{y}{2}\right)dy = 9.8(120 - 36) = 823.2.

Answer:

W=823.2W = 823.2 J

Common mistakes3
  • Multiplying the whole rope's weight by the whole distance. Each piece rises a different amount, so you must integrate.
  • Pulling up only part of a chain: the limits stop at the distance pulled, but the hanging length still starts at the full length.
  • Leaking bucket: the leak is given per second. Turn it into per meter with the lifting speed.

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