When net work is negative, what is the effect on the body's motion?

Study for the OSAT Physical Science Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

When net work is negative, it indicates that the total energy being imparted to the body is in the opposite direction of its motion. In terms of physics, work is defined as the transfer of energy, and it is affected by the force applied to an object as well as the direction of that force.

When negative work is done on a body, it typically means that a force is acting against the direction of the body's motion, effectively removing energy from it. This results in a decrease in its kinetic energy, which translates to a slowdown in the body's speed. For instance, if a car is moving forward and brakes are applied, the friction from the brakes generates negative work, causing the car to decelerate. Thus, the body will slow down when negative net work is applied.

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