Question
2. Joe belonces a stationary coin on the tip of his finger 20cm from the top of the table. How much work is Joe doing?
Solution
4.4
(270 Votes)
Tyler
Veteran ยท Tutor for 12 years
Answer
Joe is doing **zero** work on the coin.Here's why:* **Work** in physics is defined as the force applied to an object multiplied by the distance the object moves in the direction of the force. Mathematically, Work = Force x Distance x cos(theta), where theta is the angle between the force and displacement.* In this case, Joe is applying an upward force to counteract the force of gravity on the coin, keeping it stationary. While there is a force, the coin is *not* moving any distance.* Since the distance the coin moves is zero, the work done is also zero. He is *exerting* a force, and certainly *expending* energy to maintain that force, but in the physics sense, no *work* is being done on the coin itself.