1.2 Definition of Mechanical Work
Let a force acting on a particle displace it over a distance dr in a direction, making an angle θ with the direction of the force (Fig. 1.1).
Fig. 1.1 Schematic representation of mechanical work in translational motion
Then the mechanical work done by the force is
The work done is a scalar quantity. If X, Y and Z are the Cartesian components of force and if dx, dy and dz are the Cartesian components of displacement dr, then
Equation 1.17 means that the work done by a force is equal to the work done by its components in their respective ...
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