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Exercises · 5.2

Q.A body of mass 2 kg2\ \text{kg} initially at rest moves under the action of an applied horizontal force of 7 N7\ \text{N} on a table with coefficient of kinetic friction =0.1= 0.1. Compute the

(a) work done by the applied force in 10 s10\ \text{s},
(b) work done by friction in 10 s10\ \text{s},
(c) work done by the net force on the body in 10 s10\ \text{s},
(d) change in kinetic energy of the body in 10 s10\ \text{s},
and interpret your results.
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✓ Free question

Using the Work-Energy Theorem, we find the acceleration from net force, then displacement in 10 s. Work by applied force = 882 J, by friction = –247 J, net work = 635 J, which equals the change in kinetic energy (635 J). This confirms that net work equals change in KE.

The key to this problem is the Work-Energy Theorem: the net work done on a body equals its change in kinetic energy. But to compute individual works, we first need the displacement — which requires finding the acceleration from the net force.

Let's break it down.


1. Find the net force and acceleration

The applied force is Fapp=7 NF_{\text{app}} = 7\ \text{N} forward.

Kinetic friction opposes motion: fk=μkNf_k = \mu_k N, where N=mgN = mg (since the surface is horizontal).

Mass m=2 kgm = 2\ \text{kg}, g=9.8 m/s2g = 9.8\ \text{m/s}^2, μk=0.1\mu_k = 0.1.

fk=0.1×2×9.8=1.96 Nf_k = 0.1 \times 2 \times 9.8 = 1.96\ \text{N}

Net force:

Fnet=7−1.96=5.04 NF_{\text{net}} = 7 - 1.96 = 5.04\ \text{N}

Acceleration:

a=Fnetm=5.042=2.52 m/s2a = \frac{F_{\text{net}}}{m} = \frac{5.04}{2} = 2.52\ \text{m/s}^2

Tip

Always compute friction from N=mgN = mg — never assume N=mgN = mg if there's a vertical force component. Here it's safe.


2. Displacement in 10 seconds

Body starts from rest (u=0u = 0). Using s=ut+12at2s = ut + \frac12 a t^2:

s=0+12×2.52×(10)2=12×2.52×100=126 ms = 0 + \frac12 \times 2.52 \times (10)^2 = \frac12 \times 2.52 \times 100 = 126\ \text{m}


3. Work done by each force

  1. Work by applied force Force and displacement are in the same direction:

    Wapp=Fapp⋅s=7×126=882 JW_{\text{app}} = F_{\text{app}} \cdot s = 7 \times 126 = 882\ \text{J}

  2. Work by friction Friction opposes motion, so θ=180∘\theta = 180^\circ:

    Wfric=fk⋅s⋅cos⁡180∘=1.96×126×(−1)=−246.96 J≈−247 JW_{\text{fric}} = f_k \cdot s \cdot \cos 180^\circ = 1.96 \times 126 \times (-1) = -246.96\ \text{J} \approx -247\ \text{J}

  3. Work by net force Either sum the works:

    Wnet=882+(−247)=635 JW_{\text{net}} = 882 + (-247) = 635\ \text{J}

    Or directly: Fnet×s=5.04×126=635.04 J≈635 JF_{\text{net}} \times s = 5.04 \times 126 = 635.04\ \text{J} \approx 635\ \text{J}

4. Change in kinetic energy

Final velocity after 10 s:

v=u+at=0+2.52×10=25.2 m/sv = u + at = 0 + 2.52 \times 10 = 25.2\ \text{m/s}

Initial KE = 0. Final KE:

KEfinal=12mv2=12×2×(25.2)2=1×635.04=635.04 J\text{KE}_{\text{final}} = \frac12 m v^2 = \frac12 \times 2 \times (25.2)^2 = 1 \times 635.04 = 635.04\ \text{J}

So change in KE:

ΔKE=635.04−0≈635 J\Delta \text{KE} = 635.04 - 0 \approx 635\ \text{J}


5. Interpretation

Notice: Wnet=635 JW_{\text{net}} = 635\ \text{J} and ΔKE=635 J\Delta \text{KE} = 635\ \text{J} — exactly equal. This is the Work-Energy Theorem in action.

The applied force does 882 J of work, but 247 J is "lost" to friction (converted to heat), leaving 635 J to increase the body's kinetic energy.

Watch out

A common mistake: using W=F×tW = F \times t instead of W=F×sW = F \times s. Work depends on displacement, not time. Always find ss first via kinematics.

Wnet=ΔKEW_{\text{net}} = \Delta \text{KE}


✓Final answer

The work done by applied force is 882 J, by friction is –247 J, net work is 635 J, and the change in kinetic energy is 635 J — confirming the Work-Energy Theorem.

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