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The block moves up an incline with constant speed. What is the total work Wtotal done on the block by all forces as the block moves a distance L

1 Answer

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Answer:

Wtotal = 0

Step-by-step explanation:

  • According Newton's 2nd law, the acceleration of the block is caused by the sum of all external forces acting upon it.
  • If the block is moving at constant speed (so it has no acceleration along the incline), this means that the sum of all external forces is 0.
  • Therefore, the work done on the block by all forces as the block moves a distance L, is just zero.
  • This can be expressed also saying that as the total work done on an object by a external net force, is equal to the change in kinetic energy, if the object is moving at a constant speed, this means that there is no change in the kinetic energy, so Wtotal must be 0.
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