How do you calculate the work done on an object when you push it?

Question

you add the force you apply to the distance over which you are pushing

you subtract the force you apply from the distance over which you are pushing

you multiply the force you apply by the distance over which you are pushing

you divide the force you apply by the distance over which you are pushing

Answer 1

To calculate the work done on an object when you push it, you multiply the force you apply by the distance over which you are pushing.

The formula for work (\(W\)) is:

\[ W = F \cdot d \]

where:

• \(W\) is the work done,
• \(F\) is the force applied,
• \(d\) is the distance moved in the direction of the force.

If the force and the distance are in the same direction, this formula is straightforward. If the force is applied at an angle, you would use the component of the force in the direction of the motion. But in general, the correct choice from your options is:

you multiply the force you apply by the distance over which you are pushing.