A crate is pulled across a horizontal, frictionless floor by a rope. At the same time, the crate pulls back on the rope, in accord with Newton's third law. Does the work done on the crate by the rope then equal zero?

Question

Physics

Kallie

7 March, 10:38

A crate is pulled across a horizontal, frictionless floor by a rope. At the same time, the crate pulls back on the rope, in accord with Newton's third law. Does the work done on the crate by the rope then equal zero?

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Answers (1)

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Victoria Mahoney · Answer 1

If force F is applied on the crate, it will move with acceleration

a = F / m as no other force is acting on it.

This force is applied on the crate. work done by rope on crate will be positive and equal to F x d where d is displacement.

The reaction force will apply on hand through rope. So work will also be done on hand by crate. This work will be negative as displacement in hand is opposite to direction of force on it.