AP Physics C Mechanics Flashcards: Work

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Work, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Physics C Mechanics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is work done by a force perpendicular to displacement?

Answer: Zero. Perpendicular forces don't contribute to work in displacement direction.

Flashcard 2: What is the effect of increasing the angle $\theta$ on work done?

Answer: Work decreases. As $\theta$ increases from 0°, $\cos(\theta)$ decreases, reducing work.

Flashcard 3: What happens to work done if displacement is doubled?

Answer: Work doubles. Work is directly proportional to displacement in the formula.

Flashcard 4: Determine the work done when $F = 0 \text{ N}$.

Answer: Zero. No force means no work can be done regardless of displacement.

Flashcard 5: What type of quantity is work: scalar or vector?

Answer: Scalar. Work has magnitude but no direction, making it a scalar quantity.

Flashcard 6: If a force is applied but no movement occurs, what is the work done?

Answer: Zero. Work requires displacement; no movement means no work done.

Flashcard 7: How is work affected by an increase in force?

Answer: Work increases. Work is directly proportional to applied force magnitude.

Flashcard 8: What is the relationship between work and energy?

Answer: Work is energy transfer. Work transfers energy from one form to another or between objects.

Flashcard 9: What happens to work done if displacement is doubled?

Answer: Work doubles. Work is directly proportional to displacement in the formula.

Flashcard 10: What does the term 'negative work' imply?

Answer: Force opposes displacement. Force acts against motion direction, removing energy from the system.

Flashcard 11: What is the work done by gravity on a free-falling object?

Answer: $W = m \times g \times h$. Gravitational work depends on mass, gravity, and vertical displacement.

Flashcard 12: Identify the work-energy principle formula.

Answer: $\text{KE}_f - \text{KE}_i = W$. Net work equals the change in kinetic energy of an object.

Flashcard 13: Determine the work done when $F = 0 \text{ N}$.

Answer: Zero. No force means no work can be done regardless of displacement.

Flashcard 14: What happens to work done if force is halved, keeping displacement constant?

Answer: Work is halved. Work is directly proportional to force in the formula.

Flashcard 15: What is the direction of work done by friction?

Answer: Opposite to displacement. Friction always acts opposite to the direction of relative motion.

Flashcard 16: Which condition must be met for work to be zero?

Answer: Force and displacement must be perpendicular. When $\theta = 90°$, $\cos(90°) = 0$, making work zero.

Flashcard 17: What type of quantity is work: scalar or vector?

Answer: Scalar. Work has magnitude but no direction, making it a scalar quantity.

Flashcard 18: Determine the change in work if the displacement is tripled.

Answer: Work triples. Work is directly proportional to displacement in the formula.

Flashcard 19: What is the formula for work when force and displacement are parallel?

Answer: $W = F \times d$. Work equals force times displacement when they're in the same direction.

Flashcard 20: What is work done by a force perpendicular to displacement?

Answer: Zero. Perpendicular forces don't contribute to work in displacement direction.

Flashcard 21: Identify the work-energy principle formula.

Answer: $\text{KE}_f - \text{KE}_i = W$. Net work equals the change in kinetic energy of an object.

Flashcard 22: What is the work done by gravity on a free-falling object?

Answer: $W = m \times g \times h$. Gravitational work depends on mass, gravity, and vertical displacement.

Flashcard 23: If a force is applied but no movement occurs, what is the work done?

Answer: Zero. Work requires displacement; no movement means no work done.

Flashcard 24: What is the SI unit of work?

Answer: Joule (J). Standard SI unit for energy and work in physics.

Flashcard 25: State the formula for work done at an angle.

Answer: $W = F \times d \times \text{cos}(\theta)$. Cosine accounts for the angle between force and displacement vectors.

Flashcard 26: Identify the angle used in the work formula $W = F \times d \times \text{cos}(\theta)$.

Answer: Angle between force and displacement. The angle $\theta$ is measured between the force and displacement vectors.

Flashcard 27: Which condition must be met for work to be zero?

Answer: Force and displacement must be perpendicular. When $\theta = 90°$, $\cos(90°) = 0$, making work zero.

Flashcard 28: What is the formula for work when force and displacement are parallel?

Answer: $W = F \times d$. Work equals force times displacement when they're in the same direction.

Flashcard 29: What does the term 'negative work' imply?

Answer: Force opposes displacement. Force acts against motion direction, removing energy from the system.

Flashcard 30: How does work change if the angle between force and displacement is $90^\text{°}$?

Answer: Work is zero. At 90°, cosine equals zero, making the work calculation zero.