Chapter 7 – Kinetic energy and work

I. Kinetic energy.

II. Work.

III. Work - Kinetic energy theorem.

IV. Work done by a constant force

- Gravitational force

V. Work done by a variable force.

- Spring force.
- General.
1D-Analysis
3D-Analysis
Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem.
VI. Power

Energy: scalar quantity associated with a state (or condition) of one or

more objects.

I. Kinetic energy
1 2
Energy associated with the state of motion of an object. K = mv (7.1)
2
Units: 1 Joule = 1J = 1 kgm2/s2 = N m

II. Work
Energy transferred “to” or “from” an object by means of a force acting on
the object.
To
+W
From
-W

- Constant force: Fx = ma x
v 2 − v02
v 2 = v02 + 2a x d → a x =
2d
1 1 1
Fx = ma x = m(v 2 − v02 ) → ma x d = m(v 2 − v02 )
2 d 2
1 Work done by the force = Energy
→ m(v 2 − v02 ) = K f − K i = Fx d → W = Fx d
2 transfer due to the force.

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- To calculate the work done on an object by a force during a displacement,
we use only the force component along the object’s displacement. The
force component perpendicular to the displacement does zero work.


F
cos φ
W = Fx d = F cos ϕ ⋅ d = F ⋅ d (7.3) d

- Assumptions: 1) F=cte, 2) Object particle-like. ϕ < 90 → +W

180 > ϕ > 90 → −W
Units: 1 Joule = 1J = 1 kgm2/s2
ϕ = 90 → 0
A force does +W when it has a vector component in the same direction
as the displacement, and –W when it has a vector component in the
opposite direction. W=0 when it has no such vector component.

Net work done by several forces = Sum of works done by individual forces.

Calculation: 1) W net= W 1+W 2+W 3+…

2) Fnet
W net=Fnet d

II. Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem

∆K = K f − K i = W (7.4)

Change in the kinetic energy of the particle = Net work done on the particle

III. Work done by a constant force

- Gravitational force: W = F ⋅ d = mgd cos ϕ (7.5)

Rising object: W= mgd cos180º = -mgd
Fg transfers

mgd energy from the object’s kinetic energy.

Falling object: W= mgd cos 0º = +mgd
Fg transfers

mgd energy to the object’s kinetic energy.

2
 - External applied force + Gravitational force:

∆K = K f − K i = Wa + Wg (7.6)

Object stationary before and after the lift: W a+W g=0

The applied force transfers the same amount of

energy to the object as the gravitational force
transfers from the object.

IV. Work done by a variable force

- Spring force: F = −kd (7.7)
Hooke’s law

k = spring constant
measures spring’s

stiffness.
Units: N/m

Hooke’s law
1D → F x = − kx

Work done by a spring force:

- Assumptions: • Spring is massless
mspring << mblock

• Ideal spring
obeys Hooke’s law exactly.
• Contact between the block and floor is frictionless.
• Block is particle-like.
Fx

- Calculation:
xi ∆x xf
x
1) The block displacement must be divided into Fj
many segments of infinitesimal width, ∆x.

2) F(x) ≈ cte within each short ∆x segment.

3
 xf xf
Ws = ∑ F j ∆x ⇒ ∆x → 0 ⇒ Ws = ∫x F dx = ∫x (−kx) dx
i i

xf  1   1 
WS = − k ∫ x dx =  − k  x 2 [ ]xf
xi =  − k ( x 2f − xi2 )
xi
 2   2 

1 1 W s=0
If Block ends up at xf=xi.

Ws = k xi2 − k x 2f
2 2

1
Ws = − k x 2f if xi = 0
2

Work done by an applied force + spring force: ∆K = K f − K i = Wa + Ws

Block stationary before and after the displacement: ∆K=0
W a= -W s

The work done by the applied force displacing the block is the negative
of the work done by the spring force.

Work done by a general variable force:

1D-Analysis

∆W j = F j ,avg ∆x
W = ∑ ∆W j = ∑ F j ,avg ∆x
better approximation ⇒ more ∆x, ∆x → 0
xf
⇒ W = lim F j ,avg ∆x ⇒ W = ∫ F ( x) dx (7.10)
∆x →0 xi

Geometrically: Work is the area between the curve F(x) and the x-axis.

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 3D-Analysis


F = Fx iˆ + Fy ˆj + Fz kˆ ; Fx = F ( x), Fy = F ( y ), Fz = F ( z )


dr = dx iˆ + dy ˆj + dz kˆ


r x y fz f f f

dW = F ⋅ dr = Fx dx + Fy dy + Fz dz ⇒ W = ∫ dW = ∫ Fx dx + ∫ Fy dy + ∫ Fz dz
ri xi yi zi

Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem - Variable force

xf xf

W = ∫ F ( x) dx = ∫ ma dx
xi xi
dv dv
ma dx = m dx → m v dx = mvdv
dt dx

 dv dv dx dv 
 = = v
 dt dx dt dx 
vf vf
1 2 1 2
W = ∫ mv dv = m ∫ v dv = mv f − mvi = K f − K i = ∆K
vi vi 2 2

V. Power
Time rate at which the applied force does work.

- Average power: amount of work done in an amount of time ∆t by a force.

W
Pavg = (7.12)
∆t

- Instantaneous power: instantaneous time rate of doing work.

dW F
P= (7.13)
dt φ
x

dW F cos ϕ dx  dx 


P= = = F cos ϕ   = Fv cos ϕ = F ⋅ v (7.14)
dt dt  dt 

Units: 1 Watt= 1 W = 1J/s

1 kilowatt-hour = 1 kW·h = 3.60 x 106 J = 3.6 MJ

5
 54. In the figure (a) below a 2N force is applied to a 4kg block at a downward
angle θ as the block moves rightward through 1m across a frictionless floor. Find
an expression for the speed vf at the end of that distance if the block’s initial
velocity is: (a) 0 and (b) 1m/s to the right. (c) The situation in (b) is similar in that
the block is initially moving at 1m/s to the right, but now the 2N force is directed
downward to the left. Find an expression for the speed of the block at the end of
the 1m distance.



W = F ⋅ d = ( F cos θ )d
N
Fx N W = ∆K = 0.5m(v 2f − v02 )
Fx

( a) v0 = 0 → ∆K = 0.5mv 2f
mg mg
Fy Fy
( 2 N ) cos θ = 0.5(4kg )v 2f
→ v f = cos θ m / s

(b) v0 = 1m / s → ∆K = 0.5mv 2f − 0.5 ⋅ (4kg ) ⋅ (1m / s ) 2 (c ) v0 = 1m / s → ∆K = 0.5mv 2f − 2 J

(2 N ) cos θ = 0.5(4kg )v 2f − 2 J − (2 N ) cos θ = 0.5(4kg )v 2f − 2 J
→ v f = 1 + cos θ m / s → v f = 1 − cos θ m / s

18. In the figure below a horizontal force Fa of magnitude 20N is applied to a 3kg
psychology book, as the book slides a distance of d=0.5m up a frictionless ramp.
(a) During the displacement, what is the net work done on the book by Fa, the
gravitational force on the book and the normal force on the book? (b) If the book
has zero kinetic energy at the start of the displacement, what is the speed at the
end of the displacement?



N ⊥ d →W = 0
y
x
Only Fgx , Fax do work
N



Fgx (a ) W = WFa x − WFg x or Wnet = Fnet ⋅ d
Fgy Fnet = Fa x − Fg x = 20 cos 30 − mg sin 30
mg
Wnet = (17.32 N − 14.7 N )0.5m = 1.31J

(b) K 0 = 0 → W = ∆K = K f
W = 1.31J = 0.5mv 2f → v f = 0.93m / s

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 55. A 2kg lunchbox is sent sliding over a frictionless surface, in the positive
direction of an x axis along the surface. Beginning at t=0, a steady wind pushes
on the lunchbox in the negative direction of x, Fig. below. Estimate the kinetic
energy of the lunchbox at (a) t=1s, (b) t=5s. (c) How much work does the force
from the wind do on the lunch box from t=1s to t=5s?

Motion → concave downward parabola

1
x= t (10 − t )
10

dx 2
v= = 1− t
dt 10
dv 2
a= = − = −0.2m / s 2
dt 10

F = cte = ma = (2kg )(−0.2m / s 2 ) = −0.4 N (b ) t = 5 s → v f = 0

W = F ⋅ x = (−0.4 N )(t − 0.1t 2 )
K f = 0J
( a ) t = 1s → v f = 0.8m / s
(c) W = ∆K = K f (5s ) − K f (1s )
K f = 0.5( 2kg )(0.8m / s ) 2 = 0.64 J
W = 0 − 0.64 = −0.64 J

74. (a) Find the work done on the particle by the force represented in
the graph below as the particle moves from x=1 to x=3m. (b) The curve
is given by F=a/x2, with a=9Nm2. Calculate the work using integration

( a ) W = Area under curve

W = (11.5squares)(0.5m)(1N ) = 5.75 J

3
3
9 1 1
(b) W = ∫ 2
dx = −9   = −9( − 1) = 6 J
1 x  x 1 3

73. An elevator has a mass of 4500kg and can carry a maximum load of
1800kg. If the cab is moving upward at full load at 3.8m/s, what power is
required of the force moving the cab to maintain that speed?

Fa mtotal = 4500kg + 1800kg = 6300kg

P = F ⋅ v = (61.74kN )(3.8m / s )
Fa + mg = Fnet = 0 → Fa − Fg = 0 →
P = 234.61kW
Fa = mg = (6300kg )(9.8m / s 2 ) = 61.74kN
mg

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A single force acts on a body that moves along an x-axis. The figure below shows
the velocity component versus time for the body. For each of the intervals AB, BC,
CD, and DE, give the sign (plus or minus) of the work done by the force, or state
that the work is zero.

1
v W = ∆K = K f − K 0 =
2
(
m v 2f − v02 )
B C
AB → vB > v A → W > 0
D
A t
BC → vC = vB → W = 0
E

CD → v D < vC → W < 0
DE → vE < 0, vD = 0 → W > 0

50. A 250g block is dropped onto a relaxed vertical spring that has a spring
constant of k=2.5N/cm. The block becomes attached to the spring and
compresses the spring 12 cm before momentarily stopping. While the spring is
being compressed, what work is done on the block by (a) the gravitational force on
it and (b) the spring force? (c) What is the speed of the block just before it hits the
spring? (Friction negligible) (d) If the speed at impact is doubled, what is the
maximum compression of the spring?



( a ) W Fg = Fg d = mgd = (0.25kg )(9.8m / s 2 )(0.12 m ) = 0.29 J
1
(b ) Ws = − kd 2 = −0.5 ⋅ ( 250 N / m )( 0.12 m ) 2 = −1.8 J
mg 2
Fs (c ) Wnet = ∆K = 0.5mv 2f − 0.5mvi2
d mg
v f = 0 → K f = 0 → ∆K = − K i = −0.5mvi2 = WFg + Ws
0.29 J − 1.8 J = −0.5 ⋅ (0.25 kg )vi2
→ vi = 3.47 m / s
( d ) If vi ' = 6.95 m / s → Maximum spring compressio n ? v f = 0
Wnet = mgd '−0.5kd '2 = ∆K = −0.5mvi '2
d ' = 0.23m

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62. In the figure below, a cord runs around two massless, frictionless pulleys; a
canister with mass m=20kg hangs from one pulley; and you exert a force F on the
free end of the cord. (a) What must be the magnitude of F if you are to lift the
canister at a constant speed? (b) To lift the canister by 2cm, how far must you
pull the free end of the cord? During that lift, what is the work done on the
canister by (c) your force (via the cord) and (d) the gravitational force on the
canister?

( a ) Pulley 1 : v = cte → Fnet = 0 → 2T − mg = 0 → T = 98 N

mg
P2
Hand − cord : T − F = 0 → F = = 98 N
2
(b) To rise “m” 0.02m, two segments of the cord must
be shorten by that amount. Thus, the amount of the
T T
T string pulled down at the left end is: 0.04m
P1
(c ) WF = F ⋅ d = (98 N )(0.04 m ) = 3.92 J
mg
( d ) WFg = − mgd = ( −0.02 m )( 20 kg )(9.8m / s 2 ) = −3.92 J

W F+W Fg=0 There is no change in kinetic energy.