General

Physics 101

Conservation of Energy

Prepared By
Prof. Rashad Badran
 Conservation of Energy

 Conservation of Mechanical Energy (Absence of

Nonconservative Forces)
 Conservation of Energy (Presence of Nonconservative
Forces and Other Forces)
Conservative of Energy: Involving Conservative Forces Only
A force is conservative if the work it does on an
object moving between two points is independent
of the path the object takes between the points
The work depends only upon the initial and final
positions of the object (it does not depend on the
movement path)
The work done by this force in a closed path is zero
Any conservative force can have a potential energy
function associated with it
Work done by gravity Wg  PEi  PE f  mgyi  mgy f or Wg  U gi  U gf  mgyi  mgy f
Work done by spring force Ws  PEsi  PEsf  1 kxi2  1 kx2f or Ws  U si  U sf  1 kxi2  1 kx 2f
2 2 2 2
Wconservativeforce  (U f  U i )  U
Conservative of Energy: Involving Conservative Forces Only

Wnet  K f  K i  K

Wconservativeforce  (U f  U i )  U

Wnet  Wconservativeforce  Wc

The conservation of mechanical energy is

U  K  0 Or it can be rewritten as: U i  Ki  U f  K f

The mechanical energy E is the sum of potential and kinetic energies,

 Ei  E f
 Non-Conservative Forces
A force is nonconservative if the work it does on
an object depends on the path taken by the
object between its final and starting points.
o The work depends upon the movement path
o For a non-conservative force, potential energy can
NOT be defined
o Work done by a nonconservative force

 
Wnc   F  d   f k d   Wotherforces

o It is generally dissipative. The loss

of energy takes the form of heat or sound
Conservation of Energy: All types of Forces
• The work-energy theorem can be written as:
Wnet  K f  K i  K    (1)
Wnet  Wnc  Wc        (2)
• Wnc represents the work done by nonconservative forces
• Wc represents the work done by conservative forces

• Any work done by conservative forces can be accounted for

by changes in potential energy

• Gravity work Wg  PE gi  PE gf  mgyi  mgy f  U i  U f

1 2 1 2
• Spring force work Ws  PEsi  PEsf  kxi  kx f  U i  U f
2 2

Wc  (U f  U i )  U    (3)

 Conservation of Energy: All types of Forces
Thus Conservation of energy law can be obtained from equations (1), (2) and (3) as:

Wnc  U  K
 
But Wnc   F  d   f k d   Wotherforces

Thus  f k d   Wotherforces  U  K
If there are two conservative forces (like force of gravity and spring force) and one
moving object in addition to different nonconservative forces in the problem one
gets

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
 fd   Wotherforces  (mgy f  mgyi )  ( kx f  kxi )  ( mv f  mvi )
2 2 2 2
 Conservation of Energy
Example

• A diver of mass m drops from

a board 10.0 m above the
water’s surface. Neglect air
resistance.
• (a) Find is speed 5.0 m above
the water surface
• (b) Find his speed as he hits
the water
 Conservation of Energy
Example

• A diver of mass m drops from

a board 10.0 m above the
water’s surface. Neglect air
resistance.
• (a) Find is speed 5.0 m above
the water surface
• (b) Find his speed as he hits
the water
 Conservation of Energy
Example

• A diver of mass m drops from

a board 10.0 m above the
water’s surface. Neglect air
resistance.
• (a) Find is speed 5.0 m above
the water surface
• (b) Find his speed as he hits
the water
 Conservation of Energy
Example

• A diver of mass m drops from

a board 10.0 m above the
water’s surface. Neglect air
resistance.
• (a) Find is speed 5.0 m above
the water surface
• (b) Find his speed as he hits
the water
 Conservation of Energy
Solution
• (a) Find his speed 5.0 m above the water surface (at point B)

U  K  0
1 2 1 2 A
(mgy f  mgyi )  ( mv f  mvi )  0
2 2
1 2
gy fB  gyiA  ( v fB  0)  0
2
1
or  g (y ) A B  ( v 2fB  0)  0
2 B

(y ) A B  hAB
1 2
 ghAB  v fB
2
C
v fB  2 ghAB
 2(9.8m / s 2 )(5m)  9.9m / s
 Conservation of Energy
Solution
• (b) Find his speed 10.0 m above the water surface (at point C)

U  K  0
1 2 1 2 A
(mgy f  mgyi )  ( mv f  mvi )  0
2 2

1
 mg (y ) AC  ( mv 2fC  0)  0
2
B
(y ) AC  hAC

1 2
mghAC  mv fC
2
C

v fC  2 ghAC  14m / s
Example Conservation of Energy
A skier slides down the frictionless slope as shown. What is the skier’s speed at the
bottom?
start

H=40 m

finish L=250 m
Answer: 28.0 m/s
Example Conservation of Energy
A skier slides down the frictionless slope as shown. What is the skier’s speed at the
bottom?
start

H=40 m

finish L=250 m
Answer: 28.0 m/s
Example Conservation of Energy
A skier slides down the frictionless slope as shown. What is the skier’s speed at the
bottom?
start

H=40 m

finish L=250 m
Answer: 28.0 m/s
Example Conservation of Energy
A skier slides down the frictionless slope as shown. What is the skier’s speed at the
bottom?
start

H=40 m

finish L=250 m
Answer: 28.0 m/s
Example Conservation of Energy
A skier slides down the frictionless slope as shown. What is the skier’s speed at the
bottom?
start

H=40 m

finish L=250 m
Answer: 28.0 m/s
 Conservation of Energy
Solution
A skier slides down the frictionless slope as shown. What is the skier’s speed at the
bottom?
start
U  K  0
1 1
 mgy  ( mv 2f  mvi2 )  0
2 2
Given: y  H  40m, vi  0

H=40 m
 v f  2 gH  28m / s

finish L=250 m
Answer: 28.0 m/s
Example Conservation of Energy
Two blocks, A and B (mA=50 kg and mB=100 kg), are connected by a string as shown. If
the blocks begin at rest, what will their speeds be after A has slid a distance d = 0.25 m?
[Hint: Assume the pulley and incline are frictionless.]

h = 0.15 m

Answer: 1.0 m/s

 Conservation of Energy
Solution
Given: mA=50 kg, mB=100 kg, viA = viB = 0,  = 37o and d = 0.25 m.
[Hint: Assume the pulley and incline are frictionless.]

(U ) A  (U ) B  (K ) A  (K ) B  0

1 1 1 1
m A g (y ) up  mB g (y ) down  ( m Av 2fA  m AviA2 )  ( mB v 2fB  mB viB2 )  0
2 2 2 2 v

(y ) up  (y ) down  h  d sin   (0.25) sin 37 o  0.15m

viB =0
v fA  v fB  v viA  viB  0
1
(m A  mB ) gh  (m A  mB )v 2  0 viA =0
2
1
(50kg  100kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(0.15m)  (50kg  100kg )v 2  0 h = 0.15 m
2
1
(50kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(0.15m)  (150kg )v 2
2
v fA  v fB  v  1m / s Answer: 1.0 m/s
 Conservation of Energy
Example
Three identical balls are thrown from the
top of a building with the same initial
speed. Initially,
Ball 1 moves horizontally.
Ball 2 moves upward.
Ball 3 moves downward.

Neglecting air resistance, which ball has

the fastest speed when it hits the
ground?

A) Ball 1
B) Ball 2
C) Ball 3
D) All have the same speed.
Example Conservation of Energy
Tarzan swings from a vine whose length is 12 m. If Tarzan starts at an angle of 30 degrees with respect to the vertical
and has no initial speed, what is his speed at the bottom of the arc?

Solution vi  0, vf  ?

U  K  0 =30o
1 1
 mgy  ( mv 2f  mvi2 )  0
2 2
vi = 0 h
y  h
h =L- Lcos = (12)(1-cos30o)=1.6 m vf = ?

 v f  2 gh  32.15m / s
 Conservation of Energy
Example 60

Potential Energy (J)

50

40 Release point
At point 'A', which are zero?
a) force 30
b) acceleration
c) force and acceleration 20
d) velocity A
10

0
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
x (m)
 Conservation of Energy
Example 60

Potential Energy (J)

50
At point 'B', which are/is zero?
40 Release point
a) force
b) acceleration 30
c) force and acceleration 20
B
d) velocity
10
e) kinetic energy
0
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

x (m)
 Conservation of Energy
Example 60

Potential Energy (J)

50 A
All points for which force is negative I
(to the left): 40 Release point
B
a) C, E and G 30
E H
b) B and F 20 D
c) A and I
C F
10 G
d) D and H
e) D, H and I 0
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
x (m)
 Conservation of Energy
Example 60

Potential Energy (J)

50
At point 'D', which are/is zero?
a) force 40 D
Release point

b) acceleration 30
c) force and acceleration
20
d) velocity
10
e) Velocity and kinetic energy
0
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
x (m)
 Conservation of Energy
Example 60

A particle of mass m = 0.5

Potential Energy (J)

50 Etot
kg is at a position
40
x = 1.0 m and has a
velocity of -10.0 m/s. 30
What is the furthest points
20
to the left and right it will
reach as it oscillates back 10
and forth? 0
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
x (m)

Answer: 0.125 and 3.75 m

 Conservation of Energy: All types of Forces
• A 0.5-kg block rests on a horizontal, frictionless surface. The
Example block is pressed back against a spring having a constant of k =
625 N/m, compressing the spring by 10.0 cm to point A. Then
the block is released.
• (a) Find the maximum distance d the block travels up the
frictionless incline if θ = 30°.
• (b) How fast is the block going when halfway to its maximum
height?
 Conservation of Energy: All types of Forces
Solution (a) • Point A (initial state): vi  v A  0, y A  0, xi  10cm  0.1m
• Point C (final state): vC  0, yC  y A  h  d sin  , x f  0
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
(U ) g  (U ) s  (K ) AC  0   mgh  ( kx f  kxi )  ( mvC  mv A )  0
2 2 2 2
1 2
kxi  mgh  mgd sin 
2
1 2
kx
d 2 i
mg sin 
0.5(625 N / m)(0.1m) 2

(0.5kg )(9.8m / s 2 ) sin 30
 1.28m
 Conservation of Energy: All types of Forces
• Point A (initial state): vi  v A  0, y A  0, xi  10cm  0.1m
Solution (b)
• Point B (final state): vB  ?, y B  y A  h / 2  d sin  / 2, x f  0
(U ) g  (U ) s  (K ) AB  0

h 1 2 1 2 1 1
  mg  ( kx f  kxi )  ( mvB2  mv A2 )  0
2 2 2 2 2
1 2 1 2 h
kxi  mvB  mg ( )
2 2 2
h  d sin   (1.28m) sin 30  0.64m
k 2
xi  vB2  gh
m
k 2 (625 N / m)
vB  xi  gh  vB  (0.1m) 2  (9.8m / s 2 )(0.64m)  2.5m / s
m 0.5kg
Conservation of Energy: All types of Forces
 Any work done by conservative forces can be accounted
for by changes in potential energy
Wc  U i  U f  (U f  U i )  U

Wnc  K  U  ( K f  K i )  (U f  U i )

Wnc  ( K f  K i )  (U f  U i )

 Mechanical energy includes kinetic and potential energies

1 2 1 2
E  K  U  K  U g  U s  mv  mgy  kx
2 2

Wnc  E f  Ei
 Problem Solving Strategy
Define the system to see if it includes non-conservative
forces (especially friction, drag force …)
Without non-conservative forces
1 1 1 1
(U ) g  (U ) s  K  0  mgy f  mgyi  kx 2f  kxi2  mv 2f  mvi2  0
2 2 2 2
With non-conservative forces
Wnc  (U f  U i )  ( K f  K i )
1 1 1 1
 fd   Wotherforces  mgy f  mgyi  kx 2f  kxi2  mv 2f  mvi2
2 2 2 2

Select the location of zero potential energy

• Do not change this location while solving the problem

Identify two points the object of interest moves between

• One point should be where information is given
• The other point should be where you want to find out something
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
A block of mass m = 0.40 kg slides across a horizontal
Example frictionless counter with a speed of v = 0.50 m/s. It runs into
and compresses a spring of spring constant k = 750 N/m.
When the block is momentarily stopped by the spring, by
Solution what distance d is the spring compressed?
(U ) s  (K )  0 or ( K f  K i )  (U f  U i )  0

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
 mv f  mvi  kx f  kxi  0
2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
v i= v , (0  mvi )  ( kd  0)  0 or mv  kd
x f= d, x i= 0, v f= 0, 2 2
2 2

m 2
d  v  1.15cm
k
Conservation of Mechanical Energy (Conservative Forces ONLY)

Problem
A 3-kg crate slides down a ramp. The ramp is 1 m in length and
inclined at an angle of 30° as shown. The crate starts from rest at the
top. The surface friction can be negligible. Use energy methods to

Solution determine the speed of the crate at the bottom of the ramp.
 f k d   Wotherforces  U  K
1 1
0  (mgy f  mgyi )  ( mv 2f  mvi2 )
2 2
but , h  y, vi  0

1 2
 mgh  mv f
2

h=
d  1m, h  d sin 30  0.5m, v f  ?

v f  2 gh  3.1m / s
 Changes in Energy for Nonconservative Forces
A 3-kg crate slides down a ramp. The ramp is 1 m in length and inclined at an
Problem angle of 30° as shown. The crate starts from rest at the top. The surface in
contact have a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.15. Use energy methods to
determine the speed of the crate at the bottom of the ramp.

Solution  f k d   Wotherforces  U  K
1 1
 f k d   Wotherforces  (mgy f  mgyi )  ( mv 2f  mvi2 )
2 2 FN
1
  k FN d  0  mgh  ( mv 2f  0)
2
 k  0.15 , d  1m, h  d sin 30  0.5m, FN  ?, v f  ?

FN  mg cos   0  FN  mg cos  mg cos 30 mg

h=
1 2
  k dmg cos   mv f  mgh
2
v f  2 g (h   k d cos  )  2.7 m / s
 Changes in Energy for Nonconservative Forces
A 3-kg crate slides down a ramp. The ramp is 1 m in length and inclined at
Problem an angle of 30° as shown. The crate starts from rest at the top. The
surface in contact have a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.15. How far does
the crate slide on the horizontal floor if it continues to experience a friction
force.
Solution  f k d   Wotherforces  U  K
1 1
 f k d   Wotherforces  (mgy f  mgyi )  ( mv 2f  mvi2 ) FN
2 2
vihorizonta  v ramp
f  2.7 m / s, h  0
1
  k FN x  0  0  (0  mvi2 ) fk
2 FN
On the horizontal floor, the normal force is found as: vf = 0
h=
FN  mg  0  FN  mg
fk m
1
   k mgx   mvi2 vi2 x =?
 k  0.15, vi  2.7 m / s x   2.5m
2 2 k g
 Block-Spring Collision
Problem • A block having a mass of 0.8 kg is given an initial velocity vA = 1.2 m/s to
the right and collides with a spring whose mass is negligible and whose
force constant is k = 50 N/m as shown in figure. Assuming the surface to

Solution be frictionless, calculate the maximum compression of the spring after the
collision.
(U ) s  (K )  0
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
kx f  kxi  mv f  mvi  0
2 2 2 2
v A  vmax , vC  0, xC  xmax
1 2 1
( kxmax  0)  (0  mv A2 )  0
2 2
k  50 N / m, v A  1.2m / s, m  0.8kg

m 0.8kg
xmax  vA  (1.2m / s)  0.15m
k 50 N / m
 Block-Spring Collision
Problem • A block having a mass of 0.8 kg is given an initial velocity vA = 1.2 m/s to the
right and collides with a spring whose mass is negligible and whose force
constant is k = 50 N/m as shown in figure. Suppose a constant force of kinetic
friction acts between the block and the surface, with µk = 0.5, what is the
Solution maximum compression xc in the spring.
 f k d   Wotherforces  U  K
1 1 1 1
 f k d   Wotherforces  ( kx 2f  kxi2 )  ( mv 2f  mvi2 )
2 2 2 2
v f  vC  0 , , vi  v A , , xi  0 and xf  xc  d
1 1
  k FN d  0  ( kxc2  0)  (0  mv A2 )
2 2
FN  mg
1 2 1 2
kxc  mv A    k mgxc
2 2
25xc2  3.9 xc  0.58  0 xc  0.093m
problem Connected Blocks in Motion
• Two blocks are connected by a light string that passes over a frictionless pulley. The
block of mass m1 lies on a horizontal surface and is connected to a spring of force
constant k. The system is released from rest when the spring is unstretched. If the
hanging block of mass m2 falls a distance h before coming to rest, calculate the
coefficient of kinetic friction between the block of mass m1 and the surface.
 f k d   Wotherforces  U  K
Solution
FN1
 f k d  0  (U ) s  (U ) g 2  (K )1  (K ) 2
1 1 1 1 1 1
 f k d  ( kx 2f  kxi2 )  (m2 gh)  ( m1v 2f  m1vi2 )1  ( m2 v 2f  m2 vi2 ) 2 m 1g
2 2 2 2 2 2
vi1  vi 2  0, v f 1  v f 2  0, xi  0 and xf  x
1
 f k d  m2 gh  ( kx 2  0)  (0  0)
2 1
  k FN 1 x  m2 gh  kx 2 1
2 m2 g  kh
1  k  2
FN 1  m1 g and x  h    k m1 gh  m2 gh  kh 2
2 m1 g
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
• A block of mass m= 0.25 kg is placed on top of a light vertical spring
Problem of force constant k = 5000 N/m and pushed downward so that the
spring is compressed by 0.1 m. After the block is released, it travels
upward and then leaves the spring. To what maximum height above
the point of release does it rise.

Solution

xf = 0

xi =0.1m m=0.25kg
vi =0

k =5000N/m
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
• A block of mass m= 0.25 kg is placed on top of a light vertical spring
Problem of force constant k = 5000 N/m and pushed downward so that the
spring is compressed by 0.1 m. After the block is released, it travels
upward and then leaves the spring. To what maximum height above
the point of release does it rise.

Solution (U ) g  (U ) s  (K )  0

hmax =?
m=0.25kg x = 0
f

xi =0.1m
vi =0

k =5000N/m
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
• A block of mass m= 0.25 kg is placed on top of a light vertical spring
Problem of force constant k = 5000 N/m and pushed downward so that the
spring is compressed by 0.1 m. After the block is released, it travels
upward and then leaves the spring. To what maximum height above
the point of release does it rise.
m=0.25kg vf =0
Solution (U ) g  (U ) s  (K )  0

K  0
(U ) g  mghmax hmax =?
1 1 2 xf = 0
U s  k ( x f  xi )   kxi
2 2

2 2 xi =0.1m
1 vi =0
mghmax  kxi2
2
(0.25kg )(9.8m / s 2 )hmax  25 J
k =5000N/m
hmax  10.2m
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
• A block of mass m= 0.25 kg is placed on top of a light vertical spring
Problem of force constant k = 5000 N/m and pushed downward so that the
spring is compressed by 0.1 m. After the block is released, it travels
upward and then leaves the spring. To what maximum height above
the point of release does it rise. v =0 f

Solution (U ) g  (U ) s  (K )  0

K  0
hmax =?
(U ) g  mghmax
xf = 0
1 1 2
U s  k ( x f  xi )   kxi
2 2

2 2 xi =0.1m m=0.25kg
1 vi =0
mghmax  kxi2
2
(0.25kg )(9.8m / s 2 )hmax  25 J
k =5000N/m
hmax  10.2m
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Problem
• A bead slides without friction around a loop-the-loop. The bead is released from rest
at a height h = 3.5 R. (a) What is its speed at point A? (b) How large is the normal
force on the bead at point A if its mass is 5 g?

Solution (a) (U ) g  (K )  0

1 vo = 0
 mgH  ( mv A2  0)  0
2 A vA = ? H = 1.5 R
H = 3.5 R – 2R =1.5 R
FN
mg
 v A  2 gH  29.4 R m / s h = 3.5 R R

F
mv A2
(b) r  mar   FN  mg  
R
mv A2 29.4 R
FN   mg  m(  g )  (0.005)(19.6)  0.098 N down
R R
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Problem
• Two blocks are connected by a light string passing over a light, frictionless pulley as
shown. The object of mass m1= 5 kg is released from rest at a height h = 4 m above the
table. Using the isolated system model, (a) determine the speed of the object of mass m2= 3 kg
just as the 5 kg object hits the table and (b) find the maximum height above the table to which
the 3 kg object rises.

Solution (a) (U ) g1  (U ) g 2  (K )1  (K ) 2  0

1 1 1 1
 m1 gh  m2 gh  ( m1v12f  m1v12i )  ( m2 v22 f  m2 v22i )  0
2 2 2 2
v2 f  v1 f  v, v1i  v2i  0
1 m1 =5 kg
(m2  m1 ) gh  (m1  m2 )v 2  0
2
2 gh(m1  m2 ) m2= 3 kg h=4m
v 2(9.8)(4)(5  3)
v  4.4m / s
m1  m2 53
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Problem
• Two blocks are connected by a light string passing over a light, frictionless pulley as
shown. The object of mass m1= 5 kg is released from rest at a height h = 4 m above the
table. Using the isolated system model, (a) determine the speed of the object of mass m2= 3 kg
just as the 5 kg object hits the table and (b) find the maximum height above the table to which
the 3 kg object rises.

Solution (b) v 2 i  4 .4 m / s , v2 f  0 v2f= 0

(U ) g 2  (K ) 2  0
H v2i= 4.4 m/s
hmax =? m2= 3 kg

h=4m m1 =5 kg
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Problem
• Two blocks are connected by a light string passing over a light, frictionless pulley as
shown. The object of mass m1= 5 kg is released from rest at a height h = 4 m above the
table. Using the isolated system model, (a) determine the speed of the object of mass m2= 3 kg
just as the 5 kg object hits the table and (b) find the maximum height above the table to which
the 3 kg object rises.

Solution
v2 f  0, v 2 i  4 .4 m / s m2= 3 kg
(b) v2f= 0
(U ) g 2  (K ) 2  0
1 1
m2 gH  ( m2 v22 f  m2 v22i )  0 H
2 2
1 hmax =?
m2 gH  m2 v22i v2i= 4.4 m/s
2
h=4m m1 =5 kg
2 2
v (4.4)
H  
2i
 0.98m hmax  H  4  4.98m
2 g 2(9.8)
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Problem
• A crate of mass m = 10 kg is pulled up a rough incline with an initial speed of 1.5 m/s.
The pulling force is 100 N parallel to the incline, which makes an angle of 20o with the
horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction µk = 0.4, and the crate is pulled 5 m. (a) How
muck work is done by the gravitational force on the crate? (b) Determine the increase in
internal energy of the crate-incline system owing to friction. (c) How muck work is done by the
100-N force on the crate? (d) What is the change in the kinetic energy of the crate? What is
the speed of the crate after being pulled 5 m?
Fpull =100N
Wg  Fg d cos  Fg  mg sin  FN
Solution (a)
 mgd sin  cos   cos180o  1
Wg  (10kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(5m) sin 20o  167.6 N
d=5m
(b) W f  f k d cos180   f k d    k FN d
FN  mg cos   (10)(9.8) cos 20  92.1N mg =20o

W f  (0.4)(92.1)(5)  184.18 J
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Problem
• A crate of mass m = 10 kg is pulled up a rough incline with an initial speed of 1.5 m/s.
The pulling force is 100 N parallel to the incline, which makes an angle of 20o with the
horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction µk = 0.4, and the crate is pulled 5 m. (a) How
muck work is done by the gravitational force on the crate? (b) Determine the increase in
internal energy of the crate-incline system owing to friction. (c) How muck work is done by the
100-N force on the crate? (d) What is the change in the kinetic energy of the crate?(e) What is
the speed of the crate after being pulled 5 m?
Fpull =100N
Solution (c) WF  Fd cos  FN
WF  (100)(5) cos 0  500 J

(d) Wnet  Wg  WF  W f  K  K  167.6  500  184.18  148.2 J

d=5m
1 1
(e) K  m(v 2f  vi2 )  (10)(v 2f  (1.5) 2 )  148.2 J  v f  5.44m / s mg =20o
2 2
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Problem
• A 5 kg block is set into motion up an inclined plane with an initial speed of vi= 8 m/s. The
block comes to rest after travelling d = 3 m along the plane, which is inclined at an angle of 
=30o to the horizontal. For this motion, determine (a) the change in the block’s kinetic energy,
(b) the change in the potential energy of the block-Earth system, and (c) the friction force
exerted on the block (assumed to be constant). (d) What is the coefficient of kinetic friction?

Solution (a) K 
1
2
1
m(v 2f  vi2 )  (5)(0  8) 2 )  160 J
2
(b) (U ) g  m gh
h  d sin   (3m) sin 30  1.5m

(U ) g  (5kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(1.5m)  73.5 J

 Change in Mechanical Energy for Nonconservative Forces
Problem
• A 5 kg block is set into motion up an inclined plane with an initial speed of vi= 8 m/s. The
block comes to rest after travelling d = 3 m along the plane, which is inclined at an angle of 
=30o to the horizontal. For this motion, determine (a) the change in the block’s kinetic energy,
(b) the change in the potential energy of the block-Earth system, and (c) the friction force
exerted on the block (assumed to be constant). (d) What is the coefficient of kinetic friction?

Solution (c) W f  (U ) g  K

W f   fk d (U ) g  73.5 J K  160 J
  f k (3m)  73.5 J  160 J  f k  28.8 N

(d) f k   k FN
F y  FN  mg cos   0  FN  mg cos   (5kg )(9.8m / s 2 ) cos 30  42.4 N

28.8 N   k (42.4 N )   k  0.67

 Change in Mechanical Energy for Nonconservative Forces
Problem
• The coefficient of friction between the block of mass m1= 3 kg and the surface is µk = 0.4.
The system starts from rest. What is the speed of the ball of mass m2= 5 kg when it has fallen
a distance h = 1.5 m?

Solution W f  (U ) g 2  (K )1  (K ) 2

vi = 0
m1

m2 v i = 0

h = 1.5 m
 Change in Mechanical Energy for Nonconservative Forces
Problem
• The coefficient of friction between the block of mass m1= 3 kg and the surface is µk = 0.4.
The system starts from rest. What is the speed of the ball of mass m2= 5 kg when it has fallen
a distance h = 1.5 m?
W f  (U ) g 2  (K )1  (K ) 2
Solution W f   f k h    k FN1 h    k m1 gh
v=?
vi = 0
m1
(U ) g 2  m2 gh fk
1 1 h = 1.5 m
(K )1  m1v 2
( K ) 2  m2 v 2

2 2
1 1 vi = 0
  k m1 gh  m2 gh  ( m1v 2f )  ( m2 v 2f )
2 2 h = 1.5 m
m2
1 1
  k m1 gh  m2 gh  (m1  m2 )v f
2
 ( m2   m
k 1 ) gh  (m1  m2 )v 2f
2 2
2(m2   k m1 ) gh 2[5  (0.4)(3)](9.8)(1.5)
v=?
 vf   vf   3.7 m / s
(m1  m2 ) (3  5)
 Power
Work does not depend on time interval
The rate at which energy is transferred is
important in the design and use of practical
device
The time rate of energy transfer is called power
The average power is given by
W
Pavg 
t
• when the method of energy transfer is work
 Instantaneous Power
Power is the time rate of energy transfer. Power
is valid for any means of energy transfer

W Fx
Other expression Pavg    Fvavg
t t

A more general definition of instantaneous

 
power W dW  dr 
P  lim  F  F v
t 0 t dt dt
 
P  F  v  Fv cos
 Units of Power

 The SI unit of power is called the watt

• 1 watt = 1 joule / second = 1 kg . m2 / s3
A unit of power in the US Customary system is horsepower
• 1 hp = 550 ft . lb/s = 746 W

Units of power can also be used to express units of work or energy

• 1 kWh = (1000 W)(3600 s) = 3.6 x106 J
 Power
Problem
• A 650-kg elevator starts from rest. It moves upward for 3 s with constant acceleration until it
reaches its cruising speed of 1.75 m/s. (a) What is the average power of the elevator motor
during this time interval? (b) How does this power compare with the motor power when the
elevator moves at its cruising speed?

Solution (a) Wmotor  (U ) g  K

1 1
Wmotor  mgh  ( mv 2f  mvi2 )
2 2 vf =1.75m/s
vi =0 vf =1.75m/s
v f  vi 1.75  0
h( )t  ( )(3)  2.625m t=3s
2 2 a=+ve
1
Wmotor  (650kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(2.625m)  [ (650kg )(1.75m / s ) 2  0]
2
W 17716.56 vi =0
 Wmotor  17716.56 J  17.716kJ Pavg    5905.5W  5.9kW
t 3
 Power
Problem
• A 650-kg elevator starts from rest. It moves upward for 3 s with constant acceleration until it
reaches its cruising speed of 1.75 m/s. (a) What is the average power of the elevator motor
during this time interval? (b) How does this power compare with the motor power when the
elevator moves at its cruising speed?

Solution (a) Wmotor  (U ) g  K

1 1
Wmotor  mgh  ( mv 2f  mvi2 )
2 2 vf =1.75m/s
vi =0 vf =1.75m/s
v f  vi 1.75  0
h( )t  ( )(3)  2.625m t=3s
2 2 a=+ve
1
Wmotor  (650kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(2.625m)  [ (650kg )(1.75m / s ) 2  0]
2
W 17716.56 vi =0
 Wmotor  17716.56 J  17.716kJ Pavg    5905.5W  5.9kW
t 3
 Power
Problem
• A 650-kg elevator starts from rest. It moves upward for 3 s with constant acceleration until it
reaches its cruising speed of 1.75 m/s. (a) What is the average power of the elevator motor
during this time interval? (b) How does this power compare with the motor power when the
elevator moves at its cruising speed?
P  Fv cos   Fv
Solution (b)
When the elevator moves with constant speed
(v = 1.75 m/s), the net force acting on it must vf =1.75m/s
be zero
F y  Fmotor  mg  0  Fmotor  mg t=3s
a=+ve
Pmotor  Fmotor v  mgv
vi =0
 Pmotor  (650kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(1.75m / s)  11147.5W  11.147kW
 Power Delivered by an Elevator Motor
Exercise
A 1000-kg elevator carries a maximum load of 800 kg. A constant frictional force of
4000 N retards its motion upward. What minimum power must the motor deliver to
lift the fully loaded elevator at a constant speed of 3 m/s?

Solution Fnet , y  may

T  f  Mg  0
T  f  Mg  2.16  10 4 N
P  Fv  (2.16 10 4 N )(3m / s)
 6.48 10 4 W
P  64.8kW  86.9hp