How to Calculate Distance Using Work and Kinetic Energy

When solving physics problems involving work and kinetic energy, it is important to understand the relationship between the force applied, work done, and the final kinetic energy of the system. In this case, the work done on the student wearing frictionless in-line skates on a horizontal surface is equal to the change in kinetic energy of the student.

Calculating the Distance:

To calculate the distance the student must be pushed, you can use the formula:

d = W / F

Where:

d is the distance,

W is the work done on the system, and

F is the constant force applied.

Example Calculation:

Given:

Force (F) = 60 N

Final Kinetic Energy (Kf) = 300 J

Using the formula, we can rearrange it to find the distance d:

d = W / F = (Kf - Ki) / F

Substitute the values:

d = (300 J - 0) / 60 N = 5 m

Therefore, the student must be pushed a distance of 5 meters so that her final kinetic energy is 300 J.