How Do You Integrate When F and r Are Vectors?

So, in summary, the problem involves a variable force F and a displacement vector r, and to solve it, one can use the dot product to integrate the scalar components of F and dr along the path.
  • #1
Sefrez
126
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I have this very simple problem, I am just a little unsure of the notation of the integral.
I am given that a force vector F = (5x i + 4y j) N is applied to a mass and it moves by the vector r = (5.08 i) m. So in other words, there is a variable force and the mass moves only along the x axis.

This problem is ridiculously easy when noting that fact as you simply integrate 5x from 0 to 5.08 as the j component does no work (no r in the j direction.) You get about 64.5 J

That is what I did to solve the problem, but I noticed that it showed this:
w = ∫F dr where F and r are the vectors defined above.

So my question is, how do you go about integrating that considering F and r are vectors? And also, what does dr represent when r is a vector? I am just a bit confused so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
In w = ∫F dr, the F dr part is a dot product, i.e., the scalar Fx dx + Fy dy. dr = i dx + j dy is an infinitesimal vector along the path.
 

FAQ: How Do You Integrate When F and r Are Vectors?

What is work and how is it related to integration and vectors?

Work is a scientific concept that measures the amount of force applied to an object over a certain distance. Integration and vectors are used to calculate work by taking into account the direction and magnitude of the force and the displacement of the object.

Can you explain the difference between scalar and vector quantities in relation to work?

Scalar quantities only have magnitude, while vector quantities have both magnitude and direction. Work is a vector quantity because it takes into account the direction in which the force is applied.

How is the work done by a constant force calculated using integration and vectors?

The work done by a constant force is calculated by multiplying the magnitude of the force by the displacement of the object in the direction of the force. This can be represented using the formula W = F * d, where W is work, F is the force, and d is the displacement.

Can integration and vectors be applied to non-constant forces?

Yes, integration and vectors can be applied to non-constant forces by breaking the force into small components and using integration to calculate the work done by each component. The total work done by the non-constant force is then the sum of the work done by each component.

What are some real-life applications of integration and vectors in calculating work?

Integration and vectors are used in various fields such as physics, engineering, and mechanics to calculate the work done by forces in different situations. For example, they are used to calculate the work done by a car engine, the lift generated by an airplane wing, and the force required to move an object up a ramp.

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