NVAEasyJEE 2023Work Done by Force

JEE Physics 2023 Question with Solution

A block of mass 10kg10\,kg is moving along the xx-axis under the action of force F=5x N.F = 5x\ N. The work done by the force in moving the block from x=2mx = 2\,m to x=4mx = 4\,m will be _____ J.

Answer

Correct answer:30

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: A block of mass 10kg10\,kg moves under the force F(x)=5xF(x) = 5x from x1=2mx_1 = 2\,m to x2=4mx_2 = 4\,m.

Find: The work done by the force.

For a position-dependent force, work is

W=x1x2F(x)dxW = \int_{x_1}^{x_2} F(x)\,dx

Substituting the given force,

W=245xdxW = \int_{2}^{4} 5x\,dx W=524xdx=5[x22]24W = 5\int_{2}^{4} x\,dx = 5\left[\frac{x^2}{2}\right]_{2}^{4}

Applying the limits,

W=5×12(4222)W = 5 \times \frac{1}{2}(4^2 - 2^2) W=52(164)=52×12=30 JW = \frac{5}{2}(16 - 4) = \frac{5}{2} \times 12 = 30\ J

Therefore, the work done is 30 J30\ J.

Direct Integration Insight

Given: F(x)=5xF(x) = 5x and displacement from x=2x = 2 to x=4x = 4.

Find: Work done.

Since force depends linearly on position, integrate directly:

W=245xdx=52[x2]24W = \int_{2}^{4} 5x\,dx = \frac{5}{2}\left[x^2\right]_{2}^{4} W=52(164)=30 JW = \frac{5}{2}(16 - 4) = 30\ J

This works because the area under the FF versus xx graph gives the work done. Hence, the answer is 30 J30\ J.

Common mistakes

  • Using the constant-force formula W=FsW = Fs is wrong because the force changes with position. For a variable force, use W=F(x)dxW = \int F(x)\,dx instead.

  • Forgetting to apply the integration limits from x=2x = 2 to x=4x = 4 leads to an incomplete result. First integrate, then substitute both limits carefully.

  • Treating F=5xF = 5x as a constant value is incorrect because xx changes during motion. Substitute the expression inside the integral before evaluating.

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