# Math Help - finding work by integrals

1. ## finding work by integrals

Find the work done by the force F from (0,0,0) to (1,1,1) over the following path:

The path of the line segment from (0,0,0) to (1,1,0) followed by the line segment from (1,1,0) to (1,1,1) where the Force F=(1/(x^2+1))j

How do I set up this integral??

2. ## Work done by variable force

Hello s7b
Originally Posted by s7b
Find the work done by the force F from (0,0,0) to (1,1,1) over the following path:

The path of the line segment from (0,0,0) to (1,1,0) followed by the line segment from (1,1,0) to (1,1,1) where the Force F=(1/(x^2+1))j

How do I set up this integral??
The first line segment is in the plane $z=0$; the force is in the direction of the $y$-axis, and it moves along the line $y = x$ in the plane from $(0,0)$ to $(1,1)$. So as the point of application of the force moves from $(x,y)$ to $(x+\delta x,y+\delta y), \delta y = \delta x \Rightarrow$ work done = $F\delta y = F\delta x$.

To find the work done, then, you'll need to evaluate $\int_0^1F\,dx$, where $F = \frac{1}{x^2+1}$

The second part of the movement is parallel to the $z$-axis, and is therefore at right angles to the force. So it does a zero amount of work.