All Questions
3
questions
2
votes
4
answers
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Work in thermodynamics and work in mechanics
work in mechanics
$w=\vec{f} \cdot \vec{s}$
work in thermodynamics
$w=-p \Delta v$
I don't understand why $ \vec{f} \cdot \vec{s}= -p \Delta v$ ?
- 95
0
votes
4
answers
387
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Why do physicists take the convention that a force field is the negative gradient of a scalar field?
A conservative force is naturally the vector gradient of a given scalar field . I don't know why the convention to put the negative sign in front of the gradient operator.
Or is this just a ...
- 109
0
votes
1
answer
404
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Classical Mechanics -- Sign of work done
It seems that work has two possible ways to decide it's sign:
Whether you take the perspective of the system or the surrounding (whether you consider work done on the system as positive, or work done ...
- 1,585