Work and Power problem in physics A bacterium moves through water at a constant velocity. The bacterium uses it's flagellum to push on the water behind it to help it overcome the drag force of the water opposing it's motion. The mass and volume ignore gravitational and buoyant force effects from water.
a)set up a work - energy equation (symbolically....use NO numbers yet.
b) use your equation to explain how the work done by the bacterium propelling itself compares to the work dissipated by the drag. (greater than, less than, same as, equal and opposite)
c) explain how the work done by the bacterium propelling itself compares to the work dissipated by drag. (greater than, less than, same as, equal and opposite)
d) If the velocity of the bacterium is 8x10^-6 m/s and the drag force of the water is 0.125 x 10^-6 N, what is the power output of the bacterium as it propels itself forward?