Final answer:
The term 'work contour' describes how work is graphically represented over time, and in physics, it's the area under the force versus displacement curve that indicates the work done. Figures 7.3(a) and 7.3(b) demonstrate this concept with constant and varying forces, respectively. Option b
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct term to describe how work is distributed over time in terms of graphical patterns is work contour. In physics, especially when discussing the concept of work done by a force, graphical representations can be used to illustrate how work is calculated over a distance when a force is applied. As depicted in Figure 7.3(a), a graph of F cos θ versus d (displacement), where F cos θ is constant, the area under the curve symbolizes the work done by the force. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7.3(b), if the force varies, the work done is represented by the total area under the curve. This area is calculated by summing the areas of individual strips, each representing the work done over a short interval of displacement with an average force value.
Additionally, the notion of work is further elaborated in Figure 7.2, providing examples of scenarios where work is done, such as when a force is applied to move a lawn mower, or when carrying a briefcase upstairs. It's also noted that no work is done when there is no displacement or when an object is moved horizontally at a constant speed without acceleration.