Question

An object slides down an inclined plane a total distance of 10 m to the ground. It has an initial height (from ground level) of 2 m. Which is larger, the work done by gravity when the object moves down the plane as described, or the same object dropped directly to the ground at the side of the ramp?

Answer 1

The work done by gravity on an object sliding down an inclined plane is the same as when it is dropped directly to the ground, because it only depends on the vertical height change and not the path taken.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question you've asked pertains to work done by gravity on an object sliding down an inclined plane compared to when it is dropped directly to the ground. In both scenarios, assuming no air resistance and presence of a conservative gravitational field, the work done by gravity would be the same. This is because the work done by gravity only depends on the change in vertical height and not on the path taken. The work done by gravity can be calculated using the formula work = force × displacement × cos(θ), where force is the weight of the object, displacement is the vertical height change, and θ is the angle between the force and displacement vectors. In your case, if the object is dropped directly to the ground or slid down the incline, the vertical height change is 2 m, thus the work done by gravity remains constant.