Question

A man raises a mass $\text{'}m\text{'}$ to a height $\text{'}h\text{'}$ and then shifts it horizontally by a length$\text{'}x\text{'}$. What is the work done against the force of gravity?

Answer 1

Step 1: Given

Mass of object : m

Height : h

Horizontal displacement : x

Step 2: Calculating work done

We know that, work done against the force of gravity is equal to potential energy.

Potential energy is given as the product of mass with height and acceleration due to gravity.

Potential Energy = $mgh$.

Where, $m$is the mass of an object , $g$ is the gravitational constant, and $h$is the height.

Work is done in raising a mass m to a height ‘h’= mgh.

There is no work done in moving a body in the horizontal direction as potential energy does not depend on horizontal displacement.

Hence, work done against the force of gravity = mgh.

So, the total work done on the mass is $mghJoules$.