17. A 2.5-kg book slides horizontally and falls from a shelf 3.0 m above the floor. How much work does the force of gravity do on the book as it falls 3.0 m? Din) 1.2J Di) 7.35 J Di) 25J Din) 73.5J

To calculate the work done by the force of gravity on the book as it falls, we can use the formula:<br /><br />Work = Force × Distance<br /><br />The force of gravity acting on the book is equal to its weight, which is the product of its mass and the acceleration due to gravity. The acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s².<br /><br />So, the force of gravity acting on the book is:<br /><br />Force = mass × acceleration due to gravity<br />Force = 2.5 kg × 9.8 m/s²<br />Force = 24.5 N<br /><br />The distance the book falls is given as 3.0 m.<br /><br />Now, we can calculate the work done by the force of gravity:<br /><br />Work = Force × Distance<br />Work = 24.5 N × 3.0 m<br />Work = 73.5 J<br /><br />Therefore, the correct answer is D) 73.5 J.