To calculate the work done by the person while pushing the box, we can use the formula for work:
\[ \text{Work} = \text{Force} \times \text{Distance} \times \cos(\theta) \]
where:
- Work is measured in joules (J),
- Force is the applied force (in newtons),
- Distance is the distance over which the force is applied (in meters),
- \(\theta\) is the angle between the force and the direction of motion.
In this case, the person applies a force of 400 newtons in the same direction as the motion of the box (assuming the push is horizontal), hence \(\theta = 0°\) and \(\cos(0°) = 1\).
The distance the person pushed the box is 4 meters. Therefore, the work done by the person is:
\[ \text{Work} = 400 , \text{N} \times 4 , \text{m} \times 1 = 1600 , \text{J} \]
The additional distance that the box slides after the person stops pushing (1 meter) is not considered part of the work done by the person; it is due to the box's inertia. Therefore, the work done by the person while pushing the box is 1600 joules.
1 answer