Given: An object of mass 2kg taken to height of 3 m, then 2 m horizontally and then vertically downward through 1 m. g= 10m/s^2
To find: Work done by gravity in whole process
Explanation: In first process, when object is taken upwards to a vertical height of 3 m , work done is negative since the displacement of body and direction of gravity is negative.
Work done in this process= mgh= - 2*10*3
= -60 J
In second process, the direction of gravity and displacement is in perpendicular direction. Therefore the work done is zero.
In third process, work done is positive since gravity and displacement is in same direction.
Work done in this process= 2*10*1
= 20 J
Therefore, the total work done= -60+20= -40 J
The total work done by gravity in this process is -40 J.