Lecture 21: Work and Potential Energy

x2 x1

Quiz
Histogram

W = F ( x )dx

F(x)
Frequency

30 25

x1

dx

x2

20 15 10 5 Frequency

y2 y1

35

65

50

20

Average = 60.5 Bin

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 1 Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 2

Review of work and kinetic energy

Work-kinetic energy theorem Work done = change in kinetic energy W = F.r = mv22- mv12 Work done by gravity on a falling object = mgh = mv2 Work done depends only on the initial and final positions, not on the path between them Power = rate of doing work = dW/dt = F.v watts

Work done by a Variable Force: (1D)

When the force was constant and parallel to the displacement, we wrote W = F x area under F vs. x plot: F Wg x x

For a variable force, we find the area by integrating: dW = F(x) dx. F(x)
x2 x1

W = F ( x )dx

80

95

Wg = -mgy=U

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

x1

dx

x2

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 3

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 4

Work/Kinetic Energy Theorem for a Variable Force

W = F dx
x1
x = m dv dx x dt
2 1

1-D Variable Force Example: Spring

For a spring Hookes Law says that Fx = -kx. F(x)

x2

F = ma = m dv dt

x1

x2 x

=m

v2

v1

dt

dx

dv Exactly the same as if the force was constant

v

relaxed position F = - k x1

= m v dv
v1

v2

-kx

2 1 1 1 2 = m v 2 = m v2 m v12 = KE 2 2 v1 2

F = - k x2
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 6

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 5

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Spring...
The work done by the spring (Ws) during a displacement from x1 to x2 is the area under the F(x) vs x plot between x1 and x2. F(x) x1 x2 x Ws -kx F(x)

Spring...
The work done by the spring (Ws) during a displacement from x1 to x2 is the area under the F(x) vs x plot between x1 and x2. x1 x2 x Ws -kx
x2

Ws = =

x1

F ( x ) dx
x2 x1

( kx ) dx
x

relaxed position

2 1 = kx2 x1 2

1 2 Ws = k x2 x12 2

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 7

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 8

Problem: Spring pulls on mass.

A spring (constant k) is stretched a distance d, and a mass m is hooked to its end. The mass is released (from rest). What is the speed of the mass when it returns to the relaxed position if it slides without friction? m relaxed position m stretched position (at rest) d m v m vr
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 9

Problem: Spring pulls on mass.

First find the net work done by the spring on the mass during the motion from x = d to x = 0:
Ws = 1 1 1 2 k (x 2 x12 ) = k (0 2 d 2 ) = kd 2 2 2 2

after release d back at relaxed position m vr

m stretched position (at rest)

relaxed position i
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 10

Problem: Spring pulls on mass.

Now find the change in kinetic energy of the mass:

Problem: Spring pulls on mass.

Now use work kinetic-energy theorem: Wnet = WS = K.
1 kd 2 = 2

1 1 2 1 2 K = mv2 mv1 = mvr2 2 2 2

1 mv r 2 2

vr = d

k m

m stretched position (at rest) d m vr relaxed position i

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 11

m stretched position (at rest) d m vr relaxed position i

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 12

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Problem: Spring pulls on mass.

Now suppose there is a coefficient of friction between the block and the floor The total work done on the block is now the sum of the work done by the spring WS (same as before) and the work done by friction Wf. Wf = f r = - mg d r r m stretched position (at rest) d m vr f = mg relaxed position i
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 13

Problem: Spring pulls on mass.

Again use Wnet = WS + Wf = K Wf=-mgd
WS = 1 kd 2 2 K = 1 2 mv r 2

1 2 1 2 kd mgd = mv r 2 2

vr =

k 2 d 2 gd m

r r m stretched position (at rest) d m vr f = mg relaxed position i

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 14

ICQ: Work & Energy

A box sliding on a horizontal frictionless surface runs into a fixed spring, compressing it a distance x1 from its relaxed position while momentarily coming to rest. If the initial speed of the box were doubled and its mass were halved, how far x2 would the spring compress ? (a)

ICQ: Work & Energy

A box sliding on a horizontal frictionless surface runs into a fixed spring, compressing it a distance x1 from its relaxed position while momentarily coming to rest. If the initial speed of the box were doubled and its mass were halved, how far x2 would the spring compress ? (a)

x2 = x1

(b)

x2 = 2 x1
x

(c) x2 = 2 x1

x2 = x1

(b)

x2 = 2 x1
x

(c) x2 = 2 x1

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 15

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 16

ICQ: Work & Energy Solution

Again, use the fact that WNET = K. In this case, and so kx2 = mv2 WNET = WSPRING = 1/ 2 2 2 k(x2 -x1 )

x =v

m k

ICQ: Work & Energy Solution

So if v2 = 2v1 and m2 = m1/2 = -1/

2

kx2

K = -1/2 mv2
In the case of x1 x1 = v 1

x2 = v2

m2 m 2 2m1 = 2v1 1 = v1 k k k

m1 k

x2 = 2x1
v2 m2 x2

v1 m1

m1
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 17

m2
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 18

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Work by variable force in 3-D: 3So far we have only considered 1D forces 3D is just the same with 3D vectors Work dWF of a force F acting through an infinitesimal displacement r is: dW = F r The work of a big displacement with a variable force will be the integral of a set of infinitesimal displacements: F r

Conservative Forces:
In general, if the work done does not depend on the path taken (only depends the initial and final distances between objects), the force involved is said to be conservative. conservative

Gravity near the Earths surface is conservative :

W g = mg y

A spring produces a conservative force:

Ws =

WTOT = F r
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 19

1 2 k (x2 x12 ) 2

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 20

Conservative Forces:
We have seen that the work done by a conservative force does not depend on the path taken. W2 W1 = W2 Therefore the work done in a closed path is 0. WNET = W1 - W2 = W1 - W1 = 0 W1 W2

Potential Energy
For any conservative force F we can define a potential energy function U in the following way: W =

F.drr = -U

The work done by a conservative force is equal and opposite to the change in the potential energy function. U2 r2 This can be written as:

W1

U = U2 - U1 = -W = -

F.drr
r1

r2

No dissipative forces, for example friction

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 21

r1

U1
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 22

Gravitational Potential Energy

So the change in U near the Earths surface is: U = -Wg =

ICQ: Gravitational Potential Energy

Susana ascends a mountain via a short steep trail. Sean ascends the same mountain via a long gentle trail. Which of the following statements is true?
1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

mgdy

So U = mgy + U0 where U0 is an arbitrary constant. constant Having an arbitrary constant U0 is equivalent to saying that we can choose the y location where U = 0 to be anywhere we want to. The change in PE (U) going from y1 to y2 is mg(y2-y1) j m y2 y1

Susana gains more gravitational potential energy than Sean Susana gains less gravitational potential energy than Sean Susana gains the same gravitational potential energy as Sean To compare energies we must know the height of the mountain To compare energies we must know the length ot the two trails

Wg = -mgy

Susana

Sean

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 23

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 24

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Gravitational Potential Energy

Susana ascends a mountain via a short steep trail. Sean ascends the same mountain via a long gentle trail. Which of the following statements is true?
1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Conservative Forces & Potential Energies (stuff you should know):

Force ^ F Fg = -mg j Gravity Fs = -kx Spring

Susana gains more gravitational potential energy than Sean Susana gains less gravitational potential energy than Sean Susana gains the same gravitational potential energy as Sean To compare energies we must know the height of the mountain To compare energies we must know the length ot the two trails Gravitation is a conservative force, gain in PE is independent of path
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 25

Work W(1-2) -mg(y2-y1)

1 2 k (x 2 x12 ) 2

Change in P.E U = U2 - U1 mg(y2-y1)

1 2 k (x 2 x12 ) 2

P.E. function U mgy + C

1 kx 2

+C

Susana

Sean

( x is the spring stretch)

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 26

ICQ: Conservative Forces

The pictures below show force vectors at different points in space for two forces. Which one is conservative ? (a) 1 (b) 2 (c) both

ICQ: Conservative Forces

The pictures below show force vectors at different points in space for two forces. Which one is conservative ? (a) 1 (b) 2 (c) both

y x (1)

y x (2)
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 27

y x (1)

y x (2)
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 28

ICQ:Conservative forces, Solutiom

Consider the work done by force when moving along different paths in each case (remember W=F.x): WA = WB WA > WB

Conservative forces, solution

In fact, you could make money on type (2) if it ever existed: Work done by this force in a round trip is > 0! Free kinetic energy!! WNET = 5 J = K W=0

W = 10 J Note: NO REAL FORCES OF THIS TYPE EXIST, SO FAR AS WE KNOW (1) (2)
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 29

W = -5 J

W=0
Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 30

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Homework
Homework: Read Fishbane, Chapter 7 Fishbane, Do textbook problems Chapter 6: 15,19,37,45,71,90

Physics 1301: Lecture 21, Pg 31

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