A child pushes a toy box 4.0m along the floor with a force of 6.00N directed downward at an angle of 37.0 degrees to the horizontal.
a. How much work does the child do?
b. Would you expect more or less work to be done if the child pulled upward at the same angle?
a) The work done is the horizontal component of the Force, 6.00 cos 37, multipled by the distance the box moves, 4.0 m.
b) By pulling upwards at 37 degrees with force F, there will be a reduction in the force that the box applies to the floor (which is weight - F sin 37) , and a reduction of the friction force. Less force and less work will be required to move the box at constant speed.