Question

So when calculating the work done by a force, the work depends on the path? So if I were to have a ball go down two different slopes, one that's straight or parabolic, the work done by gravity might be more or less? Is this right?

Answer 1

Basically, my question is, is this a line integral problem, or does the problem change because as the ball falls it changes speed or something?

Answer 2

Gravity is an acceleration, unless the slope is having a massive height difference it won't matter as long as you know the forces magnitude. Maybe I don't understand the question fully but what type of problem are you solving?

Answer 3

the work does not depend on the path
and for the gravity work is = gmh
h is the difference in height