The graph below shows the net force applied to a 3.0 kg body, initially at rest

Question

The graph below shows the net force applied to a 3.0 kg body, initially at rest but free to move along a straight line on a horizontal frictionless surface. The force acts along the same straight line. After the body has moved 3 m, what is its kinetic energy?

The graph below shows the net force applied to a 3.0 kg body, initially at rest but free to move along a straight line on a horizontal frictionless surface. The force acts along the same straight line. After the body has moved 3 m, what is its kinetic energy?

Explanation / Answer

We need, first, the area under the curve from 0 to 3 m to get the work done on the object

We have a rectangle from 0 - 2 m, and triangle along path B and another along path C

W = (1)(2) + (.5)(1)(2) + (.5)(1)(1) = 3.5 Joules

Since work equals the change in KE, by the work-energy theorem, the KE is 3.5 Joules

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