Final answer:
The total work done by friction can be found by calculating the work done when the block moves from position a to position b and when it moves from position b to position a. The work done by friction is equal to 2 times the force of friction multiplied by the distance traveled.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total work done by friction can be found by calculating the work done when the block moves from position a to position b and when it moves from position b to position a. The work done by friction is equal to the force of friction multiplied by the distance traveled. When the block is pushed from a to b, the force pushing the mass is p. The work done by friction can be calculated as W1 = |p| * d. When the block is pushed from b to a, the force pushing the mass is -p. The work done by friction can be calculated as W2 = |-p| * d = |p| * d. Therefore, the total work done by friction is W = W1 + W2 = |p| * d + |p| * d = 2|p| * d. Therefore, the correct option is 1. 2(p - (im g) d).