A box is moved by a 15 N force over a distance of 3 m. What is the amount of work that has been done?

Question

A box is moved by a 15 N force over a distance of 3 m. What is the amount of work that has been done??  
A. 5 W  
B. 5 N·m  
C. 45 W  
D. 45 N·m

NursesPath · Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (D)45 N·m. 
Rationale: The work done equals 45 N·m, calculated by multiplying the 15 N force by the 3 m displacement distance (W = Fd). This energy transfer occurs because force and motion align directionally, producing newton-meters, equivalent to joules, as the appropriate unit for work rather than watts, which measure power.A) 5 WWatts measure power (energy per time), not work. Additionally, 5 results from dividing force by distance (15 N / 3 m) rather than multiplying them. Work requires force-distance multiplication, not division, and must be expressed in energy units (joules or N·m), not power units.B) 5 N·mThis value results from incorrect division (15 N / 3 m = 5) rather than required multiplication. Work equals force times distance when aligned, not force divided by distance. The unit (N·m) is appropriate for work, but the magnitude is mathematically incorrect for the given values.C) 45 WWhile 45 correctly calculates 15 N × 3 m, watts remain inappropriate units for work. Watts measure power, the rate of energy transfer over time, which requires a time component absent from this problem. Work represents total energy transferred, properly measured in joules or newton-meters.D) 45 N·mWork W = Fd = 15 N × 3 m = 45 N·m (equivalent to 45 joules). The newton-meter correctly represents work's energy unit when force and displacement align directionally. This calculation properly implements the fundamental work-energy relationship without introducing extraneous time components required for power calculations.ConclusionWork equals force multiplied by displacement distance when force and motion align, producing energy measured in newton-meters or joules. The 15-newton force acting through 3 meters transfers 45 N·m of energy, distinct from power (watts), which would require knowing how quickly this work occurred. This distinction between energy transfer and energy transfer rate proves essential in mechanical analysis.

A box is moved by a 15 N force over a distance of 3 m. What is the amount of work that has been done?

A
5 W

B
5 N·m

C
45 W

D
45 N·m

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A box is moved by a 15 N force over a distance of 3 m. What is the amount of work that has been done?

A 5 W B 5 N·m C 45 W D 45 N·m

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A
5 W

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