The human small intestine moves food along its 6.9 - m length by means of peristalsis, a contraction and relaxation of muscles that propagate in a wave along the digestive tract. Part A If the average force exerted by peristalsis is 0.18 N, how much work does the small intestine do to move food along its entire length?

Question

Felix Mason

Physics

27 February, 05:02

The human small intestine moves food along its 6.9 - m length by means of peristalsis, a contraction and relaxation of muscles that propagate in a wave along the digestive tract. Part A If the average force exerted by peristalsis is 0.18 N, how much work does the small intestine do to move food along its entire length?

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Answers (1)

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Hamza Branch · Answer 1

W = 1.242 J

Explanation:

Express the work done on an object which moved distance dd after applying force F.

W=F dcosθ

Since the force and the distance travelled are in the same direction, the angle between them is 0.

Substitute θ = 0 in the above equation

W=F dcos (0°)

W = F*d

The expression for work done by an applied force which moves the object by a distance

W = Fd

Substitute 0.18 N for F and 6.9 m for d;

W = (0.18N) * (6.9m)

= 1.242 J