No one in my physics lab can figure this one, any ideas??

Question

A time varying net force acting on a 6 kg particle causes the object to have a displacement given by:
x = a + b t + d t^2 + e t^3
where:
a = 2.1 m,
b = 1 m/s,
d = -2.3 m/s^2,
e = 0.97 m/s^3

with x in meters and t in seconds. Find the work done on the particle in the first 2 s of motion. Answer in units of J.

Textbook is not very helpful....have even tried it in a group.

Answer 1

Or, figure out the velocities at t=0 and t=2 seconds. From there, you can calculate the kinetic energy of the particle at the two times. The difference in kinetic energy is equal to the work done on the particle.

Answer 2

Find the integral of the position function, from t = 0 to t = 2.

Answer 3

No one in your physics lab knows how to do an integral. I guess I have job security until I retire.

Use the definition of work.

Integrate the function for t=0 to t=2.
1 Joule = 1 Newton * 1 meter

Answer 4

Your book should tell you exactly how to do it. Have you read that?

If you showed that you had tried it, I might be inclined to help but you need to do your own homework.

Answer 5

25.0JOULES