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  • Work Done by Gravity: Calculating Potential Energy & Force
    Here's how to calculate the work done by gravity:

    Understanding the Concepts

    * Work: Work is done when a force causes an object to move a certain distance. The formula for work is:

    * Work (W) = Force (F) * Distance (d) * cos(theta)

    * Where theta is the angle between the force and the direction of motion.

    * Gravity: Gravity is a force that pulls objects towards the center of the Earth.

    * Weight: Weight is the force of gravity acting on an object's mass.

    Applying the Concepts

    1. Force: The force acting on the object is its weight, which is 75 N.

    2. Distance: The object falls 28 m.

    3. Angle: The force of gravity acts straight down, and the object falls straight down. So, the angle between the force and the direction of motion is 0 degrees. cos(0) = 1.

    Calculation

    * Work (W) = Force (F) * Distance (d) * cos(theta)

    * W = 75 N * 28 m * 1

    * W = 2100 Joules (J)

    Answer: Gravity does 2100 Joules of work on the object as it falls.

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