A person gets a running start toward a wall from 5 meters away. The person pushes the wall with a force of 500 newtons, but the wall does not move. How much work is done by the person?(1 point)

Responses

2,500 joules
2,500 joules

100 joules
100 joules

0.01 joule
0.01 joule

0 joules

1 answer

Work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and the distance over which that force is applied in the direction of the force. The formula for work is:

\[ \text{Work} = \text{Force} \times \text{Distance} \times \cos(\theta) \]

Where:

  • \(\text{Force}\) is the applied force,
  • \(\text{Distance}\) is the distance over which the force is applied,
  • \(\theta\) is the angle between the force and the direction of movement.

In this case, even though the person applies a force of 500 newtons against the wall, the wall does not move. Therefore, the distance moved by the wall is zero.

Substituting into the work formula:

\[ \text{Work} = 500 , \text{N} \times 0 , \text{m} \]

This gives:

\[ \text{Work} = 0 , \text{joules} \]

So, the correct answer is 0 joules.