Question

Read each scenario and then answer the questions.

Scenario A: A shopping cart is pushed a distance of 3 m by a force of 15 N.

Scenario B: A shopping cart is pushed a distance of 4 m by a force of 12 N.

Scenario C: A shopping cart is pushed a distance of 6 m by a force of 10 N.

Which scenario requires the least work?

Answer 1

To determine which scenario requires the least work, we can use the work formula:

\[ \text{Work} = \text{Force} \times \text{Distance} \]

Now, we can calculate the work done in each scenario:

**Scenario A:**
- Force = 15 N
- Distance = 3 m
- Work = \( 15 \, \text{N} \times 3 \, \text{m} = 45 \, \text{J} \)

**Scenario B:**
- Force = 12 N
- Distance = 4 m
- Work = \( 12 \, \text{N} \times 4 \, \text{m} = 48 \, \text{J} \)

**Scenario C:**
- Force = 10 N
- Distance = 6 m
- Work = \( 10 \, \text{N} \times 6 \, \text{m} = 60 \, \text{J} \)

Now, we can summarize the work done in each scenario:
- Scenario A: 45 J
- Scenario B: 48 J
- Scenario C: 60 J

Comparing these values, Scenario A (45 J) requires the least work.