If it takes 68 joules of work to push a desk chair across a floor, what force would be needed?

2 Answers
Mar 9, 2018

Well it depends...

Explanation:

Work is given by the equation #W=Fxxd#, where #F# is the force applied in newtons, and #d# is the distance in meters.

If you just give #W=68 \ "J"#, there are infinitely many solutions to

#F*d=68#

So, it also depends on the distance the desk is pushed.

Mar 9, 2018

#F=68/sN#

Explanation:

#W=Fs#, where:

  • #W# = work done (#J#)
  • #F# = force (#N#)
  • #s# = distance travelled in the direction of the force (#m#)

The question only gives the value for #W# and not #s#, so #F# can only be given in terms of #s#.

#F=W/s=68/sN#