GCSE Physics Tutorial - Work Done in Stretching and Compression
In physics, work is done when a force acts on an object and causes a displacement in the direction of the force. When a material is subjected to stretching or compression, an external force is applied to it, leading to a change in its shape. In this tutorial, we will explore how work is done when stretching or compressing a material.
Work Done in Stretching: When a material is stretched, an external force is applied to it, causing an increase in its length or extension. To calculate the work done in stretching a material, we use the formula:
Work (W) = Force (F) × Displacement (d)
The force applied is the stretching force, and the displacement is the extension of the material. Both the force and the displacement must be in the same direction for positive work to be done. If the material behaves elastically, it will return to its original shape once the stretching force is removed, and the work done can be fully recovered.
Work Done in Compression: When a material is compressed, an external force is applied to it, leading to a decrease in its length or compression. To calculate the work done in compressing a material, we use the same formula:
Work (W) = Force (F) × Displacement (d)
The force applied is the compressing force, and the displacement is the compression of the material. Again, both the force and the displacement must be in the same direction for positive work to be done. If the material behaves elastically, it will return to its original shape once the compressing force is removed, and the work done can be fully recovered.
Sign of Work Done: The sign of the work done depends on the direction of the force and displacement. If the force and displacement are in the same direction, the work is positive, indicating that energy is transferred to the material. If the force and displacement are in opposite directions, the work is negative, indicating that energy is taken away from the material.
In conclusion, when an external force is applied to a material to stretch or compress it, work is done on that material. The work done is calculated using the formula Work (W) = Force (F) × Displacement (d), where the force and displacement are in the same direction for positive work. Understanding the concept of work done in stretching and compression is crucial for analysing the behaviour of materials under various forces and for practical applications in engineering and construction.
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