Question

Which example(s) below involve zero physics work? check all that apply. check all that apply. a rope supports a swinging chandelier. a person pushes a car stuck in the snow but the car does not move. a person uses a lawn mower on a lawn. a person pulls a sled uphill. a person holds a child?

Answer 1

In physics, work is defined to be the product of force and distance. So to have work, there must be some movement and the force must be parallel to the direction of the movement. In this case, work is zero when there is no movement and the force is not parallel to the movement. Hence, the answers are:

 

a rope supports a swinging chandelier

a person pushes a car stuck in the snow but the car does not move

a person holds a child