Based on the work-energy principle, the most effective way to increase an objects velocity (by changing it's kinetic energy) is to:

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To analyze how to increase an object's velocity through the work-energy principle, recall that the work done on an object equals the change in its kinetic energy, W = ΔK = ∫ F · dx. In simple terms, the kinetic energy increases when work is done on the object, and the amount of work depends on both the applied force and the distance over which it acts.

Option A: Increase the applied force. If you raise the force while displacement remains the same, the instantaneous power (rate of doing work) increases, and the total work over a given displacement can be larger, leading to a greater increase in kinetic energy. However, without specifying the displacement, you can't guarantee the same increase in kinetic energy across all situations; yet increasing force is a valid way to increase work and thus velocity.

Option B: Increase displacement. If the force is held constant and you extend the distance over which it acts, the total work done (F · d) increases, producing a greater rise in kinetic energy. This is another direct route to increasing velocity since more work is transferred to the object.

Option C: Decrease the force. Reducing the applied force generally reduces the amount of work done for a given displacement, which would tend to produce a smaller increase in kinetic energy. Therefore, this option would not maximize velocity according to the work-energy relation.

Option D: Either increase the applied force or displacement. Combining the two avenues—more force or more distance over which the force acts—directly increases the work done on the object, thereby increasing its kinetic energy and velocity. This option captures the fundamental idea that work (and thus velocity change) scales with both force and displacement.

Option E: Need more information. While a full quantitative answer would require specifics like the mass, initial velocity, and the exact force and displacement values, the work-energy framework clearly shows that increasing either force or displacement (or both) increases the work done and hence the velocity, so this option is not necessary to explain the principle.

Overall, the reasoning centers on the equation W = F · d (for constant F) and its generalization, W = ΔK. More work input—via higher force or longer displacement—translates to a larger increase in kinetic energy and thus higher velocity, making the approach of increasing either force or displacement a valid and comprehensive method.

Dashboard Week 7 self-review quiz

Based on the work-energy principle, the most effective way to increase an objects velocity (by changing it's kinetic energy) is to:

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