Question

As a bacterium swims through water it propels itself with its flagella so as to overcome the frictional drag forces and move at, more or less, constant velocity of 100 micrometers/s for periods of time. If the frictional drag force on a bacterium is 0.1 micro Newtons, how much work does the bacterium do in 1 s of sustained velocity?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Work = force * distance

the bact has to overcome the frictional force to maintain constant speed

so force = .1 micro N

distance = 100 micro m/s * 1 s = 100 micro m

.1 microN * 100 micro m= 1 x 10^-7 N * 1 x 10^-4 m = 1 x 10^-11 Joules