NVAMediumJEE 2023Work Done by Force

JEE Physics 2023 Question with Solution

An object of mass mm initially at rest on a smooth horizontal plane starts moving under the action of force F=2NF = 2N. In the process of its linear motion, the angle θ\theta between the direction of force and horizontal varies as θ=kx\theta = kx, where kk is a constant and xx is the distance covered by the object from its initial position. The expression of kinetic energy of the object will be E=nksinθE = \frac{n}{k} \sin \theta. The value of nn is:

Answer

Correct answer:2

Step-by-step solution

Work-Energy Method

Given: The object starts from rest on a smooth horizontal plane. The applied force has magnitude F=2NF = 2 \, \text{N} and the angle with the horizontal varies as θ=kx\theta = kx.

Find: The value of nn in E=nksinθE = \frac{n}{k} \sin \theta.

Using the work-energy theorem:

W=ΔK.E=EW = \Delta K.E = E

Only the horizontal component of force does work, so

E=0xFcosθdxE = \int_0^x F \cos \theta \, dx

Substituting F=2F = 2 and θ=kx\theta = kx,

E=0x2cos(kx)dxE = \int_0^x 2 \cos(kx) \, dx

Evaluating the integral,

E=2k[sin(kx)]0xE = \frac{2}{k} \left[\sin(kx)\right]_0^x E=2ksin(kx)E = \frac{2}{k} \sin(kx)

Since θ=kx\theta = kx,

E=2ksinθE = \frac{2}{k} \sin \theta

Comparing with E=nksinθE = \frac{n}{k} \sin \theta, we get n=2n = 2.

Therefore, the required value is 22.

Handwritten solution showing work done equals change in kinetic energy and integration of 2 cos(kx) with respect to x.

Direct Component Trick

Given: F=2NF = 2 \, \text{N} and θ=kx\theta = kx.

Find: The coefficient nn.

Since displacement is horizontal, directly take the working component of force as Fcosθ=2cos(kx)F \cos \theta = 2\cos(kx). Then kinetic energy gained equals work done:

E=0x2cos(kx)dx=2ksin(kx)=2ksinθE = \int_0^x 2\cos(kx) \, dx = \frac{2}{k}\sin(kx) = \frac{2}{k}\sin\theta

Hence, comparing with E=nksinθE = \frac{n}{k} \sin \theta, the correct value is n=2n = 2.

Common mistakes

  • Taking the full force FF as doing work is incorrect because displacement is horizontal while the force is inclined. Only the horizontal component FcosθF\cos\theta contributes to work.

  • Treating θ\theta as constant is wrong because the question states θ=kx\theta = kx. The angle changes with position, so the integrand must be written as 2cos(kx)2\cos(kx) before integrating.

  • Forgetting the lower limit at x=0x=0 can lead to an unnecessary constant term. Use the definite integral from 00 to xx so that sin0=0\sin 0 = 0 is correctly included.

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