A 15.0 N potato is moved horizontally 3.00 m across a level floor using a horizontal force of of 6.00 N. How much work is done on the potato?
What I have right now:
W=mfd
m=15/9.8=1.53 f=6 d=3
W=1.53*6*3=27.54

Is this correct? According to the answer key the answer should be 18 J, so I was wondering if I missed anything.

Question

A 15.0 N potato is moved horizontally 3.00 m across a level floor using a horizontal force of of 6.00 N. How much work is done on the potato?
What I have right now:
W=mfd
m=15/9.8=1.53 f=6 d=3
W=1.53*6*3=27.54

Is this correct? According to the answer key the answer should be 18 J, so I was wondering if I missed anything.

carmuz · Answer

A force of 6 N acts on the potato moving it horizontally a distance of 3m. That's all you need to know. Then:

W = Fd = (6N)(3m) = 18 J

The weight of the potato is a vertical force but the potato is moving horizontally. To do work, forces must cause displacements, and this is not the case.