Porisma

A hint to get started

Compare work along a curved and straight path

A force field is F=M(x,y)i+N(x,y)j\mathbf F=M(x,y)\mathbf i+N(x,y)\mathbf j. For a path y=f(x)y=f(x) from x=ax=a to x=bx=b, the work is

W=∫ab[M(x,y)+N(x,y)dydx]dx.W=\int_a^b\left[M(x,y)+N(x,y)\frac{dy}{dx}\right]dx.

A field is conservative if the work from one point to another is independent of the path.

(i) Sketch C:y2=4(1−x)C:y^2=4(1-x), x≤1x\le1. marks

(ii) Find dy/dxdy/dx in terms of yy. mark

(iii) Points P,QP,Q on CC have x=1,−3x=1,-3 respectively, with QQ below the x-axis. Find line PQPQ. marks

For the remaining parts, F=x2i+xy2j\mathbf F=x^2\mathbf i+xy^2\mathbf j.

(iv) Show that work along CC from QQ to PP is ∫−31[x2+4x(1−x)1/2]dx\int_{-3}^1[x^2+4x(1-x)^{1/2}]dx, then evaluate it exactly. marks

(v) Find the work along line PQPQ from QQ to PP to 2 decimal places. marks

(vi) Determine whether F\mathbf F is conservative, with a reason. mark

[2019/NYJC/I/12]

CJC · Review problems · Question 17

Substitute both the path equation and its derivative into the work formula before integrating.

Read the worked solution