Question

A 0.810 kg ball falls 2.5m. How much work does the force of gravity do on the ball?

Answer 1

W = 19.845 J

Step-by-step explanation:

Work is defined as W = Fdcos
`\theta`, where F is the force exerted and d is the distance. Because the direction the ball is falling is the same direction as the force itself,
`\theta` = 0 deg, and since cos(0) = 1, this equation is equivalent to W = Fd. In this case, the force exerted is the weight force, which is equivalent to m * g. Substituting you get:

W = mgd = 0.810 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 2.5m

W = 19.845 J