Problem: An object is moving too fast, and is trying to slow down. It is pushing against another object, which is attempting to slow it down. It pushes with a force of 5 Newtons. How much work does it do on the other object over a distance of 17 meters?
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Solution: Work is the product of force and distance. The force is 5 Newtons and distance as 17 meters. The work is the product ( 5 Newtons)( 17 meters) = 85 Joules.
Generalized Response: The precise definition of the work done by a force is the product of the force component parallel to motion and the distance through which the force acts. In the present problem, force and distance are assumed to be parallel. In this case we can say that `dW = F `ds. We say that in order to perform this work `dW, we must expend energy `dW: the work done and the energy required to do the work are equivalent.
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Figure description: The figure below depicts a force acting on a moving object along a straight-line path from point A to point B. The force is considered uniform in the direction from A to B. The work done by the force is `dW = F `ds.
