Chapter 3: Problem 10

People and machines around us do work all the time. But is it possible for things such as magnets and Earth to do work? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Explain your answer. Answer: Yes, magnets and Earth can do work. Work is defined as the energy transferred by a force along a distance. Magnets exert a magnetic force on certain objects, causing them to move, like a magnet attracting an iron nail. Similarly, Earth generates forces such as gravity and magnetic force, which can cause objects to move, like a falling object or a compass needle. When these forces cause movement, it is considered work done by the magnet or Earth.

Step by step solution

Define Work

Work is defined as the amount of energy transferred by a force along a distance. In mathematical terms, work (W) is represented as the dot product of force (F) and distance (d), and is given by the formula: W = F ⋅ d ⋅ cos(θ), where θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion. For work to be done, there must be a force acting on an object and the object must move along the direction of the force.

Work done by Magnets

Magnets exert a force on certain objects, like iron or other magnets. This force is called the magnetic force. If the magnetic force causes an object to move, then the magnet is doing work on that object. For example, when a magnet attracts an iron nail, the nail moves toward the magnet. In this case, the magnetic force does work on the nail.

Work done by Earth

Earth generates forces, like gravitation and magnetic force. When those forces act on objects and cause the objects to move, Earth is doing work. A common example is the force of gravity, which acts on all objects with mass. When an object falls, like when you drop a ball, the force of gravity does work on the object, causing it to accelerate downward. Similarly, Earth's magnetic force can do work on objects that are affected by magnetism, like a compass needle or particles in the Earth's atmosphere.

Conclusion

Yes, things like magnets and Earth can do work. Work is the energy transferred by a force along a distance, and both magnets and Earth exert forces on objects that can cause them to move. Examples include the magnetic force exerted by a magnet on an iron nail or the force of gravity acting on a falling object.

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People and machines around us do work all the time. But is it possible for things such as magnets and Earth to do work? Explain.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Work

Work done by Magnets

Work done by Earth

Conclusion

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