two people push in opposite directions on a block that sits atop a frictionless surface. The soles of their shoes are glued to the surface. if the block originally at rest moves to the right a distance of d. Describe qualitatively how much work is done by the person on the left of the block relative to that done by the person on the right side of the block.
work = force*distance
person on the left of the block:
w(left) = Fd
w(right) = F(-d)
If I'm correct, I would say that according to the formula, they did the same amount of work. But in actuality, there is no such thing as negative distance, so this may depend on your professor.
Good Lord. Julie, you need to stop answering questions in subjects you have very limited knowledge.
The person on the left does work Fd. The person on the right had work Fd done on them, that is the meaning of the negative sign.
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