Asst. Prof. Dr.

Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics

College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

WORK OF A FORCE
Consider a particle which moves from a point to a
neighboring point ́ as shown in figure. If ⃑ denotes the
position vector corresponding to point , the small vector
joining and ́ can be denoted by the differential ⃑; the
vector ⃑ is called the displacement of the particle. Now, let us
assume that a force ⃑ is acting on the particle. The work of the
force ⃑ corresponding to the displacement ⃑ is defined as the
quantity
⃑ ⃑

Denoting by and respectively, the magnitudes of the force and of the displacement, and
by the angle formed by ⃑ and ⃑, therefore

we can also express the work in terms of the rectangular components of the force and of the
displacement

The unit of work N.m is called a joule (J). Thus, if U.S. customary units are used, work should
be expressed in ft.lb or in.lb, where . If the force ⃑ has the same direction as
⃑, the work reduces to ⃑ ds. If ⃑ has a direction opposite to that of ⃑, the work is
. Finally, if ⃑ is perpendicular to ⃑, the work is zero.

Work of a Constant Force in Rectilinear Motion

When a particle moving in a straight line is acted upon by a
force ⃑ of constant magnitude and of constant direction as
shown below
( )
where = angle the force forms with direction of motion
= displacement from to

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Asst. Prof. Dr. Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics
College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

Work of the Force of Gravity

The work of the weight ⃑⃑⃑⃑ of a body

( )

Work of the Force Exerted by a Spring

The force ⃑ exerted by the spring on body is
proportional to the deflection x of the spring measured
from the position .We have

where is the spring constant, expressed in N/m or

kN/m if SI units are used and in lb/ft or lb/in. The
work of the force ⃑ exerted by the spring during a
finite displacement of the body from ( ) to
( ) is obtained by writing

( )

PRINCIPLE OF WORK AND ENERGY

Consider a particle of mass acted upon by a force ⃑ and
moving along a path which is either rectilinear or curved
(shown in figure). the tangential components of the force and
of the acceleration can be written as

or

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Asst. Prof. Dr. Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics
College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

Integrating from , where and , to , where and , we write

∫ ∫

or

∫ ( )

The left-hand member of above equation represents the work of the force ⃑ exerted on the
particle during the displacement from to . If it is known that the kinetic energy is
expressed as this means that the above equation can be rewritten as

This means that, when a particle moves from A1 to A2 under the action of a force ⃑ , the work
of the force ⃑ is equal to the change in kinetic energy of the particle. This is known as the
principle of work and energy

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Asst. Prof. Dr. Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics
College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

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Asst. Prof. Dr. Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics
College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

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Asst. Prof. Dr. Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics
College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

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Asst. Prof. Dr. Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics
College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

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Asst. Prof. Dr. Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics
College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

Homework:
1. A package is projected 10 m up a 15° incline so that it just reaches the top of the incline
with zero velocity. Knowing that the coefficient of kinetic friction between the package
and the incline is 0.12, determine (a) the initial velocity of the package at A, (b) the
velocity of the package as it returns to its original position.

2. Two identical blocks are released from rest. Neglecting the mass of the pulleys and the
effect of friction, determine (a) the velocity of block B after it has moved 2 m, (b) the
tension in the cable.

3. The system shown is at rest when a constant 150-N force is applied to collar B. (a) If the
force acts through the entire motion, determine the speed of collar B as it strikes the
support at C. (b) After what distance d should the 150-N force be removed if the collar
is to reach support C with zero velocity?

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Asst. Prof. Dr. Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics
College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

4. A 6-lb block is attached to a cable and to a spring as shown. The constant of the spring
is . and the tension in the cable is 3 lb. If the cable is cut, determine (a) the
maximum displacement of the block, (b) the maximum speed of the block.

5. A section of track for a roller coaster consists of two circular arcs AB and CD joined by
a straight portion BC. The radius of AB is 90 ft and the radius of CD is 240 ft. The car
and its occupants, of total weight 560 lb reach point A with practically no velocity and
then drop freely along the track. Determine the normal force exerted by the track on the
car as the car reaches point B. Ignore air resistance and rolling resistance.

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Asst. Prof. Dr. Waleed Al-Ashtari Dynamics
College of Engineering / University of Baghdad

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