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popeye
Lv 4
popeye asked in Science & MathematicsPhysics · 1 decade ago

Help me to prove that driving an automible requires work.?

Some of you that are very smart in Physics, math, etc, explain to me in a way that I might explain to another that driving a modern automobile requires work. Thank You.

3 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Work is the vector dot product of force and distance. Therefore, if you apply a force on a car over a given distance you are doing work. If the car accelerates, by Newton's second law, a force is being applied, and as the car moves a given distance work is being done. Here's another way to look at it, the net work done on a car is equal to its change in kinetic energy, so if the car ever changes speed (like going from rest to any given speed), work must have been done.

  • Work being an expenditure of energy, you have already performed "work" by unlocking the car, by putting the key in the ignition, etc, etc.

  • SS4
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    you need work to overcome friction when you press on the accelerator. The fuel/air mixture undergoes combustion and this does work against the piston

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