Final answer:
Work done in lifting an object does not depend on the speed of lifting, but the power expended does. Work is based on force and distance, while power is related to how quickly the work is done.
Step-by-step explanation:
The work done in lifting an object does not depend on how fast it is lifted. The work done on an object is the product of the force exerted on the object and the distance over which the force is applied. Assuming the same height of lift, the work done on the object is the same regardless of the time taken to lift it. However, power is the rate at which work is done. Therefore, if an object is lifted more quickly, more power is expended. The correct answer to the question is: b) Power depends on speed; work does not.
Let's take the example of lifting a book onto a shelf. If you lift the book slowly or quickly to the same height, the work done on the book, which is dependent on its mass and the height of the shelf, remains constant. The time taken or the path does not change the amount of work done. However, the power needed to lift the book faster is greater than if you lift it slowly, as power is a function of the work done over the time period in which the work is completed.