Mechanical Work

Sub Unit 2.1

Objectives

Define work done by a force or torque in a mechanical system. Explain the relationship between work, force applied, and the distance an object moves. Solve work problems, given force and distance information in English and SI units. Explain how efficiency relates to input work and output work for a mechanical system. Define radian measure of angles. Explain the relationship between work, torque applied, and the angle (in radians) through which and object moves. Solve work problems, given torque and angle information in English and SI units.

Work

Linear

When a force moves something a distance (like a pushing a car, moving a desk, lifting weights, etc.) When a torque causes rotational movement (like gears, pulleys, wheels, etc.)

Rotational

Work done by a force

Work (W) = Force (F) x Distance (d)
Work Units
English foot pounds (ftlb) SI newton meters (Nm)

Force Units
English pounds SI newtons

Distance Units

English feet

SI meters

1 Newton meter (Nm) = 1 Joule (J)

Work
Uses magnitude of force and displacement (both are vectors) Can be positive (if both force and displacement are in same direction) Can be negative (if force and displacement are in opposite direction)

Change in Potential / Kinetic Energy?

Work equals change in energy

Like when the barbell gains gravitational potential energy due to the work done to lift it. Or when braking, the kinetic energy of vehicle decreases due to the work done by the brakes.

Efficiency
Machines convert work input to useful work output. Theoretically, work in equals work out. Realistically, work in is always greater than work out. Why? Losses

Efficiency =

output work input work

To get percentage, multiply by 100%

Rotational Work

Work done by a torque

must be in radians

Work (W) = torque () x angle moved ()

=Fxl

1 rev = 360 = 2 rad

Arc length r

Mechanical systems use force and torque to cause desired movement and do useful work. Work is done when a force or torque moves an object. Work is done only while the force or torque is applied in the direction of movement. Work equals force times displacement or torque times angle. Work is measured in ftlb or Nm (J= Nm). W=Fd; W= The displacement used to calculate work is the distance the object moves while the force is applied. Efficiency describes how well a machine performs work. Efficiency is the ration of output work to input work (Eff = Wout / Win) Angles can be measured in either radians or degrees. The radian is a dimensionless unit and is used in most calculations involving angles.

Summary