Question

The work done by a body in moving down a smooth inclined plane in comparison to being dropped vertically downwards from same height will be

• A. More
• B. Less
• C. Equal
• D. Zero in both cases

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Equal

The work done by a body moving down a smooth inclined plane is equal to the work done by the same body dropped vertically downward from the same height. Using the equation W = force x displacement, we can calculate the work done in both cases. On the inclined smooth plane, the force along the plane is mg sine and the distance traveled is h / (sin theta) resulting in a work of mgh. Similarly, dropping the body vertically downward results in a work of mgh.