In both the zigzag path and the straight vertical path, the work done by gravity is the same. Even though the zigzag path is longer, the vertical height difference h between positions A and B remains constant. Therefore, the work done by gravity in both cases is mgh.
Describe a scenario where a block is moved from position A to position B, taking a zigzag path versus a straight vertical path. How does the work done by gravity compare in both cases?
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In both the zigzag and straight vertical paths, the work done by gravity on the block from position A to position B is the same. This is because gravitational work depends only on the vertical displacement between the initial and final positions, not the path taken. Thus, regardless of the path’s complexity, the gravitational work remains consistent.