Hong Kong Physics Olympiad Lesson 4

4.1

Work and kinetic energy

4.2

Work - energy theorem

4.3

Potential energy

4.4

Total energy

4.5

Energy diagrams

4.6

A general study of the potential energy curve

4.1

Work and kinetic energy

y

(1) Work: unit in joule (J)

Work done by the force F

r
F

W = Fx d = ( F cos )d = F d
Fx : the force along the displacement

r
F

r
d

Remark:

Positive work is done on an object when the point of application of the force moves in the
direction of the force.

Mathematical statement: Work done is the dot product of the force and the displacement.
Dot product:

A B = AB cos = Ax Bx + Ay B y + Az Bz

Example
A 75.0-kg person slides a distance of 5.00m on a straight water slide, dropping through a
vertical height of 2.50 m. How much work does gravity do on the person?

h=2.5
0

mg

d=5.00m

Answer:
The gravity along the displacement has a magnitude mg cos .
By the definition of work done, the work done of the gravity on the person is given by

W = (mg cos ) d = mg (h / d ) d = mgh = (75.0)(9.8)(2.50) = 1837.5 J

Remark:

(h, h)

If F or d is not a constant, then

W = Fi si

wi = Fi si

mg

where si is extremely small. The work done of the gravity on the

(0, 0)

balls falling down is given by

0
0
W = F ds = -Fj (dx i + dy j ) = F dy = mg dy = mgh
C

(2) Power: work done per unit time

W dW F ds
=
=
t 0 t
dt
dt

Power = lim
Since v =

ds
, we have the power equals to the dot product of force and velocity. e.g.
dt

Power = F v
If the force and the velocity are in the same direction, P = Fv.
(3) Kinetic energy

4.2

K 12 mv 2

Work - energy theorem

If an object is moving with an acceleration a and a distance d is moved, then according to the
formula v 2f = vi2 + 2ad , we have

F
v 2f = vi2 + 2( )d .
m

vi

r
F

vf

r
F

The work done on the object W is given by

W = Fd =

m 2
1
1
(v f vi2 ) = mv 2f mvi2 = K f K i
2
2
2

Or, we can rewrite it as

r
d

W = K f K i = K

The work-energy theorem states that the total work done on the object by the forces equals
the change in kinetic energy.

Proof by integration:

Suppose a particle moves in a straight line (1-D)

xf

W = F ( x )dx
xi

Q F = ma = m

W =

xf

xi

m(

dv
,
dt

v=

dx
dt

xf
vf
dv
dx
)dx = mdv
= mvdv
xi
vi
dt
dt

= 21 mv 2f 21 mvi2 = K f Ki

4.3

Potential energy

The gravitational potential energy

mg

U = mgh

The difference of the potential energy: U = Uf Ui = W,

where W is the work done by gravity if the block is released.

Reference point

In this case, W is positive.

When a spring is compressed by an amount x,

the work done of the applied force =

U=

1 2
kx
2

Fdx = kxdx =
0

1 2
kx
2

(F: applied force)

potential energy of a spring.

The elastic potential energy

Hookes law states that the restoring force is proportional to the elongation of the spring from
its natural length, e.g.

F = kx

where F is the restoring force and k is called spring constant.

If the elongation goes from zero to x, the work done by the

applied force F

W = F ' dx = ( F )dx = kxdx = 12 kx 2

= 12 kx 2

Suppose the spring is stretched a distance x1 initially. Then the work we have to stretch it to a
greater elongation x2 is
x2

x2

x1

x1

W = Fdx = kxdx = 12 kx 2 12 kx1

4.4

Total energy
E=K+U

E: mechanical energy, K: kinetic energy, U: potential energy

For an isolated system (no frictional force), E = const. or it is conserved.

K + U = const.
This is the so-called conservation of energy.

Example

A 47.2-kg block of ice slides down an incline 1.62 m long and 0.902 m high. A worker
pushes up on the ice parallel to the incline so that it slides down at constant speed. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between the ice and the incline is 0.110. Find (a) the force
exerted by the worker, (b) the work done by the worker on the block of ice, and (c) the work
done by gravity on the ice.

F
Answer:

a)

0.902

Angle of inclination =

1.62m
fk

0.902
1.62
= 33.8

mg

sin =

The normal reaction, N = 47.2 9.8 cos 33.8 = 384.2 N

Frictional force, fk = 0.110 384.2 = 42.3 N
The forces which acts on the ice:
Force exerted by the worker + frictional force = down plane force = mg sin

Force exerted by the worker = 47.2 9.8 sin 33.8 o 42.3

= 215.02 N

Work done by the worker = 215.02 1.62

b)

= 348.33 J
c)

Work done by the gravity = 47.2 9.8 0.902 = 417.2 J

Example

The force exerted on an object is F = Fo ( x xo 1) . Find the work done in moving the object
from x = 0 to x = 3 xo (a) by plotting F (x ) and using the area under the curve, and (b) by
evaluating the integral analytically.

Answer:

a)

The graph shows F as a function of x if xo is positive. The

work is negative as object moves from x = 0 to x = x o
and positive as it moves from x = x o to x = 3 xo . Since the
area of a triangle is (1 2) (base) (altitude) , the work done

for the movement from x = 0 to x = x o is ( 1 2)( xo )(Fo )

F(x)
2Fo
Fo

and the work done for the movement from x = x o to

x = 3xo is (1 2)(3xo xo )(2 Fo ) = 2 x o F0 .

xo

3x o

2x o

-Fo

The total work done is the sum of them, which is (3 2)( xo )(Fo ) .
b)

The integral for the work is

W =

3 xo

4.5

Fo ( x xo 1)dx = Fo x 2 2 xo x |30 xo = (3 2)( x o )(Fo )

Energy diagrams

A spring is fixed at one end and the other end is attached to mass m which moves back and
forth with an amplitude A

Elastic potential energy

U ( x ) = 21 kx 2

If frictional force is neglected, we have the energy of the system

being conserved, e.g. E = constant.

When x=0, U = 0, K = E and K = 21 mv 2 ,

v is the greatest velocity in the whole process of oscillation.
At x = A, E = max(U), K = 0

v=0

dU
= The negative slope of the curve U(x) against x,
dx

F=

At the origin

dU
= 0 , it is the equilibrium
dx

U (x )

position. The resultant force is zero.

dU
> 0 , hence F < 0 represents
dx

When x > 0,

that the restoring force is pointing to the left.

4.6

dU
< 0 , hence F > 0 represents
dx

When x < 0,

that the restoring force is pointing to the right.

E = K +U

1
U = kx 2
2

When x = 0, it is called equilibrium position.

A general study of the potential energy curve

The following curve shows a profile of an arbitrary potential energy with the position.
U (x )

Unstable
equilibrium

E3
Region I

E2

Region II

E1

Stable equilibrium
position

E0
x3

x1

x0

x2

Conservation of mechanical energy

E = K + U(x) = const.
K = 21 mv 2 0

If E = E0 initially, then the particle will stay at point x0, otherwise K has to be negative.

When E = E1, the motion of the particle is confined between x1 x x2, x1 and x2 are
called turning points.

E = E2, depending on the initial condition of x, the particle will either move in region I
or region II.

E = E3, the particle will move between x = x3 and .

Unstable equilibrium position: Any maximum in a potential energy curve is an

unstable equilibrium position.

Example

A 263-g block is dropped onto a vertical spring with force

constant k = 2.52 N/cm. The block sticks to the spring,
and the spring compresses 11.8 cm before coming
momentarily to rest. While the spring is being compressed,
how much work is done (a) by the force of gravity and (b)
by the spring? (c) What was the speed of the block just before it hit the spring? (d) If this
initial speed of the block is doubled, what is the maximum compression of the spring? Ignore
friction.

Answer:
a)

Let the compression of the spring be x. The work done by the blocks weight is
W1 = mgx = (263 10 3 ) (9.8) (11.8 10 2 ) = 0.304 J.

b)

The work done by the spring is

1
1
W2 = kx 2 = 2.52 10 2 11.8 10 2
2
2

c)

)(

= 1.74 J.

The speed vi of the block just before it hits the spring is given by
1
K = 0 mvi2 = W1 + W2
2
which yields
vi =

d)

( 2)(W1 + W2 ) = ( 2)(0.304 1.74 ) = 3.3 m s

m

263 10 3

Let the new compression be x' = cx , where x = 11.8 cm , then

1
1
2
m(2vi ) = 4(W1 + W2 ) = mgcx kc 2 x 2 = cW1 +c 2W2 ,
2
2
i.e. 4(0.304 1.74 ) = 0.304c 1.74c 2 , which gives c = 1.91 . Thus the new
compression is x' = cx = 1.91 11.8 = 22.5 cm .

Example
M

Given that M = 20 kg, the force constant k = 10 kN/m, and

g = 10 m/s2. If the frictional force is 80 N, and the system
is held at rest with l = l0 + 10 cm, and then released. l0 is

the unstretched length of the spring.

2M
Potential energy=0

(a) What is the kinetic energy of the block, when it has moved 2.0 cm from its point of
release?
(b) What is the kinetic energy of the block when it first slides back through the point where
the spring is unstretched?
(c) What is the maximum kinetic energy attained by the block while it is sliding from its
point of release to the point where the spring is unstretched?

Answer:

(a)

FS

T
f

i) Before the release, Ki = 0 , x = 10cm = 01

. m , U i = 21 kx 2 = 50 Nm, and the potential
(gravitational) energy is assumed to be zero,
ii) Where does it go? Fs = kx = 10000

N
0.1m = 1000 N
m

T = 2 Mg = 2 20kg 10m / s 2 = 400 N

Fs > T

Fs T f = 1000 400 80 = 520 N

Final elastic potential energy = 12 kx 2 = 12 10000 0.08 2 = 32 N m

W f = fd = 80 N 0.02m = 16
. N m
Final potential energy:

m = 2 M , g = 10m / s 2

P.E. =

mg (0.02m)

= 40kg 10m / s 2 0.02m

=
8N m
Final kinetic energy: K = 21 ( M + 2 M )v 2
By the work-energy theorem E = K + U = W f
Mv 2 + U f U i = W f

3
2

(U i = 21 10000 01
. 2 N m = 50 N m )

(30kg ) v 2 + (32 N m + 8 N m) 50 N m = 1.6 N m

(30kg ) v 2 = 8.4 N m
Kinetic energy of the sliding block
Mv 2 =

1
2

8.4
N m
3

0.1m

(b) l = l0 , the elastic potential energy = 0

Potential energy = 2 Mg (0.1m) = 40 N m

l0

Therefore Uf = (40 + 0) Nm.

0. 1 x

E = K + U = W f
2M

W f = fd = 80 N 01
. m = 8 N m
1
2

3 (20kg )v 2 + 40 N m 50 N m = 8 N m

(30kg )v 2 = 2 N m

or

1
2

Mv 2 =

2
N m
3

(c) K f + U f Ki U i = W f
We want to find K f max , assume that when elongating is x, Kf
*

U i = 21 k (01
. m) 2 , Ki = 0

K f = 21 3 Mv 2

max

is maximum.

U f = 2 Mg (01
. x ) + 21 kx 2
W f = f (01
. x)
23 Mv 2 + 2 Mg (01
. x ) + 21 kx 2 21 k (01
. ) 2 = f (01
. x)
or

3
2

Mv 2 = 2 Mg (01
. x ) 21 kx 2 + 21 k (01
. ) 2 f (01
. x)

N.B.

y = F (x) ,

dy
= 0 Turning point, and then we can find ymax.
dx

dv 2
= 0
dx

kx + 2 Mg + f = 0

32 Mv max = 12 k (0.1) 2 12 k (

or x =

2 Mg + f
k

2 Mg + f 2
2 Mg + f
) (2 Mg + f )(0.1
)
k
k

Example

A particle is set moving with kinetic energy K straight up a rough inclined plane, of
inclination and coefficient of friction . Prove that the work done against friction before the
particle first comes to rest is

K cos
.
sin + cos
Answer:

Let the mass of the particle be m, the normal reaction on the plane be R, the initial velocity be
v, and the distance travelled up the plane before it first comes to rest be s.
By energy conservation,
R

1
K = mv 2 = mgs sin + Rs ,
2
where R = mg cos .

Momentarily at rest

mg

Hence K = mgs ( sin + cos ) .

The work done against friction is Rs = mgs cos =

K cos
.
sin + cos

Example

Ballistic pendulum is a device which measures the speed of bullet. If the bullet sticks with the
block immediately after impact, find the initial velocity of the bullet v. Given that the
combined system raises a height h.

Answer:

M: A large block of wood

m: Bullet
h: The height of the block and the bullet rise
Note that m, M and h are known variables.
m

M
h
10

This is a typical inelastic process, during the collision, the momentum is conserved.

mv = ( M + m)V
V: the speed after collision
v=

M +m
V
m

After collision, the wood along with the bullet swing upward to the height h, the
kinetic energy has been converted to the potential energy.

The energy is conserved throughout the process, hence

1
( M + m)V 2 = ( M + m) gh V = 2 gh
2
v =

M +m
2 gh
m

Example

A particle of mass m slides down the smooth inclined face of a wedge of mass 2m, and
inclination , which is free to move in a smooth horizontal table. Use equations of
momentum and energy to obtain an expression for
m

the velocity of the particle relative to the wedge

when the particle has moved a relative distance s
from rest down the inclined face of the wedge.

2m

Answer:

Let the velocity of the wedge be V and that of the particle relative to the wedge be u. By
conservation of horizontal momentum, since there is no horizontal force acting on the system,
2mV m (u cos V) = 0.

1
V = u cos .
3

By conservation of energy,
mgs sin =

1
1
(2m)V 2 + m{(u cos V ) 2 + (u sin ) 2 }
2
2

1
2
1
gs sin = u 2 cos 2 + u 2 cos 2 + u 2 sin 2 ,
9
9
2

m
V

2m

11

6 gs sin 2
u=
.
2
2 + sin

Example
A small ring of mass m can slide on a smooth circular wire of a radius a, which is fixed in a
vertical plane. From a point on the wire at a vertical distance h above its lowest point the ring
is given a velocity u along the wire. Find its velocity at the lowest point of the wire and
determine the condition of u such that it could reach the highest point of the wire.

Answer:
Since there is no friction, the reaction between the ring and the wire is at any instant
perpendicular to the wire, and therefore to the direction of motion of the ring. Hence this
force does no work as the ring slides on the wire. Therefore, we may use the energy equation
with the potential energy depending only on the height of the ring above the lowest point of
the wire.
When the ring starts we have
Kinetic energy =

1
mu 2 ,
2

Potential energy = mgh ,

Total energy =

a
u

1
mu 2 +mgh .
2

If v is the velocity at the lowest point of the wire, we have at that point
Kinetic energy =

1 2
mv ,
2

Potential energy = 0,
Total energy =

1 2
mv .
2

Therefore
1 2 1
mv = mu 2 + mgh ,
2
2
v = u 2 + 2 gh .

Let w be the velocity at the highest point of the wire, we have in this position

12

Kinetic energy =

1
mw 2 ,
2

Potential energy = mg 2a,

Total energy =

1
mw 2 + 2mga .
2

Therefore
1
1
mw 2 + 2mga = mu 2 + mgh ,
2
2
w 2 = u 2 + 2 gh 4 ga .
If this expression is greater than zero, the ring will reach the highest point, and the condition
for this is u 2 2 g (2a h) .
It should be noted that the direction along the wire of the initial velocity is immaterial to the
problem.

Example
A particle of mass m is attached to one end of a light elastic string whose other end is fixed to
a point O on an inclined plane (inclination angle = 45o with the horizontal). The natural
length of the string is l and its force constant is mg/l. The particle is held on the inclined plane
so that the string lies just unstretched along a line of greatest slope and then released from
rest.
O
m

45o
(a)

Suppose that the inclined plane is smooth, determine the lowest position that the
particle can reach. Determine also the equilibrium position.

(b)

Suppose that the inclined plane is rough enough and the frictional coefficient is .
Show that if the particle stops after its first descending a distance d along the
greatest slope, then the distance is given by
d = 2l (1 ) .

13

Answer:
O
l
m

45o
(a)

Note that the particle is momentarily stopped at its lowest position. By the

conservation of mechanical energy, the loss in gravitational energy becomes the gain in the
elastic potential energy.
1 mg 2
( ) s = mg ( s sin 45 o ) ,
2 l
where s is the extension of the string when the particle is at its lowest position.
The above equation gives

1 s
1
( )=
. Hence, we obtain s = 2l . The lowest position is
2 l
2

located at
l + s = l + 2l = (1 + 2 )l from O.

For equilibrium of the particle, the down plane force of the particle balances with the elastic
force, we can write
mg sin 45 o = (

mg
) s eq .
l
O
l
m seq

45o

Hence, we obtain s eq =
l + s eq = l +

l
2

l
2

. That is, the equilibrium position is located at

= (1 +

1
2

)l from O.

14

(b)
O
l
m

Rough surface
45o
This part differs from part (a) by the frictional force. In the view of energy, we have
1 mg 2
( )d + (mg cos 45 o ) d = mg (d sin 45 o ) .
2 l
After simplification, we have
1 d
1
1
( )+
=
,
2 l
2
2
which gives d = 2l (1 ) .

Example
A bullet of mass m travelling horizontally with speed u strikes perpendicularly a wooden
block of mass M which is free to move. The penetration is assumed uniform and the bullet
comes to rest after penetrating a distance a into the block. Show that the ultimate common
velocity of the system is
penetration is
(a)

mu
and that the total loss of kinetic energy during the
m+M

mMu 2
. Deduce the value of the resistance and show that
2(m + M )

The block moves a distance

am
before the bullet comes to rest relative to the
m+M

block
(b)

The penetration by the bullet ceases after a time

2a
.
u

Answer:
By the conservation of momentum
mu = ( M + m)v

v=

m
M

mu
m+M

15

The energy loss =

1
1
1
1
mu 2
mMu 2
mu 2 ( M + m)v 2 = mu 2 ( M + m)(
) =
2
2
2
2
m+M
2(m + M )

The energy loss = (resistance) (displacement) = Fa =

F=
(a)

mMu 2
.
2(m + M )

mMu 2
.
2a ( m + M )

Let the displacement of the wooden block before the bullet comes to rest be x.
F
)x
M
mu 2
mu 2
(
) = 2(
)x
m+M
2a ( m + M )
am
x=
m+M
v 2 = 02 + 2 (

(b)

The time for block M to move a distance x = the time of penetration

1
mu 2
x = (0)(t ) + (
)t 2
2 2a ( m + M )

am
1
mu 2
= (
)t 2
m + M 2 2a (m + M )
t=

2a
.
u

16