When is Work Being Done on an Object?

Which of the following is NOT an example of work being done on an object?

A.

Pushing a child on a swing.

B.

Earth rotating around the sun on its axis.

C.

Hitting a softball over the fence.

D.

Filing paperwork away in a filing cabinet.

Become an Expert →

Answer

Hey there, physics enthusiast! Let's get down to business. Work is done on an object when a force is applied to it, causing a displacement in the direction of the force. Simple enough, right?

Pushing a child on a swing (A) - Yep, work is being done here! You're applying a force to the swing, and it's moving in the direction of that force.
Earth rotating around the sun on its axis (B) - Nope, no work is being done here. The Earth is moving due to its angular momentum, not because of an external force.
Hitting a softball over the fence (C) - You bet your sweet bippy work is being done here! You're applying a force to the ball with your bat, and it's flying off in the direction of that force.
Filing paperwork away in a filing cabinet (D) - Ah, finally, an example of no work being done! You're not applying a force to the papers, you're just rearranging them. No displacement, no work done.

So, the correct answer is D. Filing paperwork away in a filing cabinet. Now, go forth and spread the joy of physics!

More Like This

Regular and irregular objects - 1 Answers
What are some examples of regular (those with exact shape) and irregular objects?
How does a vacuum cleaner work? - 3 Answers
I really need to know how a vacuum cleaner works. Its for my science project. Please help me!
Who thinks that telepathy really works? - 2 Answers
I've read about telepathy in internet. I tried very hard but couldnot do that. Does it really work?
How do you find the speed of an object without a given time - 1 Answers
How do you find the speed of an object without a given time.the problem is "an archer fires a 30-kg arrow form a bow the arch...
Volume of an irregular object? - 2 Answers
How can you find it using definate integrals ? I'm currently in Cal2, and all we do is areas.
How do all the science systems work together? - 2 Answers
please help. science project!! When you see a delicious cookie and you want to eat it, how do the Skeletal system (bones) an...
Does the Doppler effect work with some one playing an instrument? - 6 Answers
i was reading a book and in the book i read about the doppler effect so i started wondering if a musician who was playing an...
When the Earth Moon, and Sun work together as a system - 3 Answers
I've been looking for the answer to this for sooo long now... When the Earth Moon, and Sun work together as a system, what ge...
how dose that bottle popin thing work? - 3 Answers
u no liike how you twist it and the top pops off I cant do it whats the sience behind it air pressure?
How do solar panels work when theres cloudy weather? - 4 Answers
on the news there putting solar panels on houses to say on energy or something like that. how are solar panels suppost to pro...

When is Work Being Done on an Object?

Science

science Listings