DYNAMICS: Work and Energy
DYNAMICS: Work and Energy
Problem Statement
An automobile weighing 4000lb is driven down a 5° incline at a speed of 60 mi/h when the
brakes are applied causing a constant total breaking force of 1500 lb. Determine the
distance traveled by the automobile as it comes to a stop.
Required
a) Change in Kinetic Energy
b) Distance required for Work to equal the Kinetic Energy change
Solution
Convert 60 mi/h to ft/s
1mi = 5280 ft
1h = 3600 s
𝑚𝑖 5280 𝑓𝑡 ℎ
𝑣 = 60
ℎ 𝑚𝑖 3600 𝑠
𝒇𝒕
𝒗 = 𝟖𝟖
𝒔
Solving for the Kinetic Energy using the formula
Solve for the distance using the Principle of Work and Energy formula
𝑇> + 𝑈>→8 = 𝑇8
480993.789 𝑓𝑡 – (1150𝑙𝑏) 𝑥 = 0
Therefore, the distance required for the work to equal the kinetic energy change is:
𝒙 = 𝟒𝟏𝟖. 𝟐𝟓𝟓 𝒇𝒕
WORK AND ENERGY THEOREM
Problem Statement
Two blocks are joined by an inextensible cable as shown. If the system is released from
rest, determine the velocity of block A after it has moved 2 m. Assume that the coefficient of
friction between block A and the plane is 𝜇\ = 0.25 and that the pulley is weightless and
frictionless.
Required
a) Apply the principle of work and energy to block A and block B
b) Solve for the Velocity when the two relations are combined and the work of its cable
forces are cancelled
Solution
Solve for the weight of block A and B Solve for the friction force of block A using
using the formula (with a constant gravity the formula
of 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 8 ) 𝐹 = 𝜇𝑁;
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔 𝜇 = 0.25 ; N = W = 1962 N
𝑊_ = 200𝑘𝑔 (9.81 𝑚/𝑠 8 )
𝑾𝑨 = 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟐 𝑵 𝐹_ = 0.25 1962 = 𝟒𝟗𝟎. 𝟓 𝑵
𝑊e = 300𝑘𝑔 (9.81 𝑚/𝑠 8 )
𝑾𝑩 = 𝟐𝟗𝟒𝟑 𝑵
Applying the Principle of Work and Energy
formula
𝑇> + 𝑈>→8 = 𝑇8
For block A:
1
0 + 𝐹i 2𝑚 − 𝐹_ 2𝑚 = 𝑚𝑣 8
2
𝟏
𝑭𝑪 𝟐𝒎 − 𝟒𝟗𝟎 𝑵 𝟐𝒎 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈 𝒗𝟐
𝟐
→1
For block B:
1
0 − 𝐹i 2𝑚 + 𝑊e 2𝑚 = 𝑚𝑣 8
2
− 𝑭𝑪 𝟐𝒎 + 𝟐𝟗𝟒𝟑 𝑵 𝟐𝒎
𝟏
= 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈 𝒗𝟐 → 2
𝟐
𝒗 = 𝟒. 𝟒𝟑 𝒎/𝒔