5.5 Work Done by a Varying Force | General Physics

Chad provides a lesson on Work done by a varying force. The lesson begins by revisiting the definition of work. It actually involves taking an integral of Fdx. As long as the force is constant, this reduces down to the traditional definition of work we use in an algebra-based physics course: W=Fd.

But with a varying force, the integral isn't solved so simply, and in an algebra-based physics course, we resort to calculating or approximating the area under the curve of Force vs Position which is equivalent to taking an integral. Chad concludes the lesson by calculating the area under the Force vs Position curve for the force applied to stretch a spring.

00:00 Lesson Introduction
00:49 The Real Definition of Work in Physics
04:08 Using the Area Under the Curve to Solve for Work Done by a Varying Force

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