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 most work?

1 answer

To determine which scenario requires the most work, we can use the formula for work done, which is:

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

We will calculate the work done in each scenario using the given force and distance values.

Scenario A:

  • Force = 15 N
  • Distance = 3 m

\[ \text{Work}_A = 15 , \text{N} \times 3 , \text{m} = 45 , \text{J} \]

Scenario B:

  • Force = 12 N
  • Distance = 4 m

\[ \text{Work}_B = 12 , \text{N} \times 4 , \text{m} = 48 , \text{J} \]

Scenario C:

  • Force = 10 N
  • Distance = 6 m

\[ \text{Work}_C = 10 , \text{N} \times 6 , \text{m} = 60 , \text{J} \]

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

  • Scenario A: 45 J
  • Scenario B: 48 J
  • Scenario C: 60 J

Conclusion: Scenario C requires the most work, as it has the highest value of 60 J.