Question

A weightlifter holds a 1,700 N barbell 1 meter above the ground. One end of a 2-meter-long chain hangs from the center of the barbell. The chain has a total weight of 500 N. How much work (in J) is required to lift the barbell to a height of 2 m

Answer 1

In physics, work is equal to the product of force and distance, given that the direction of force is the same with the direction of the distance.

W = Fd

The total force is 
F = 1,700 N + 500 N = 2,200 N
Now, if the question is the work needed to lift the barbell from the ground, the distance would be 2 m. Hence, the work would be

W = (2,220 N)(2 m) = 4,400 N·m or 4,400 J

If the question is the additional work to reach 2 m from the initial 1 m, that would be

W = (2,220 N)(2 - 1 m) = 2,200 J