nicolehayes2001
nicolehayes2001 Jan 26, 2026 • 0 views

Practice Problems for Positive and Negative Work

Hey everyone! 👋 Struggling with positive and negative work in physics? I've got you covered with a fun worksheet to boost your understanding. Let's dive in! 🧲
⚛️ Physics

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📚 Topic Summary

In physics, work is done when a force causes a displacement. Positive work occurs when the force and displacement are in the same direction, increasing the object's kinetic energy. Think of pushing a box across the floor. Negative work happens when the force and displacement are in opposite directions, decreasing the object's kinetic energy. An example is friction slowing down a moving object. Remember, work is calculated using the formula $W = F \cdot d \cdot cos(\theta)$, where $F$ is the force, $d$ is the displacement, and $\theta$ is the angle between them.

🧠 Part A: Vocabulary

Term Definition
1. Work A. A force that opposes motion.
2. Positive Work B. The energy an object has due to its motion.
3. Negative Work C. The transfer of energy when a force causes a displacement.
4. Kinetic Energy D. Work done when the force and displacement are in the same direction.
5. Friction E. Work done when the force and displacement are in opposite directions.

Match each term with its correct definition.

✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks

When a force and displacement are in the same direction, the work done is __________. This means the object's kinetic energy __________. However, if the force and displacement are in opposite directions, the work done is __________, causing the object's kinetic energy to __________. The formula to calculate work is $W = F \cdot d \cdot __________$.

🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking

Can work be zero even if a force is applied to an object? Explain your answer with an example.

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