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Potential

Chapter 8 of Physics 210 discusses potential energy and the conservation of energy, defining potential energy changes in relation to work done by gravitational forces. It differentiates between conservative and nonconservative forces, emphasizing that conservative forces have path-independent work. The chapter also covers the conservation of mechanical energy in isolated systems and includes examples to illustrate these concepts.

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2 views

Potential

Chapter 8 of Physics 210 discusses potential energy and the conservation of energy, defining potential energy changes in relation to work done by gravitational forces. It differentiates between conservative and nonconservative forces, emphasizing that conservative forces have path-independent work. The chapter also covers the conservation of mechanical energy in isolated systems and includes examples to illustrate these concepts.

Uploaded by

bns14
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics 210, Chapter 8: Potential Energy and

Conservation of Energy
Potential Energy

In Chapter 7 we discussed the relation between work and a change


in kinetic energy. Here we discuss the relation between work and a
change in potential energy.
Definitions

For either rise or fall, the change


∆U in gravitational potential
energy is defined as being equal
to the negative of the work done
on the tomato by the
gravitational force. Using the
general symbol Wfor work, we
write this as:
∆U = −W .
Definitions: Conservative and Nonconservative Forces

Let us list the key elements of the two situations we just discussed:

1. The system consists of two or more objects.


2. A force acts between a particle-like object in the system and
the rest of the system.
3. When the system configuration changes, the force does work
(call it W1 ) on the particle-like object, transferring energy
between the kinetic energy K of the object and some other
type of energy of the system.
4. When the configuration change is reversed, the force reverses
the energy transfer, doing work W2 in the process. In a
situation in which W1 = W2 is always true, the other type of
energy is a potential energy and the force is said to be a
conservative force.
Definitions: Conservative and Nonconservative Forces

A force that is not conservative is called a nonconservative force.


The kinetic frictional force and drag force are nonconservative.
During the sliding, a kinetic frictional force from the floor slows the
block by transferring energy from its kinetic energy to a type of
energy called thermal energy. We know from experiment that this
energy transfer cannot be reversed.
Path Independence of Conservative Forces

The net work done by a conservative force on a particle moving


around any closed path is zero.
Path Independence of Conservative Forces

The work done by a conservative force on a particle moving between


two points does not depend on the path taken by the particle.
Wab,1 = Wab,2 ,
Example

2.0 kg block that slides along a


frictionless track from point a to
point b. It through a total
distance of 2.0m along the track,
and a net vertical distance of
0.80m. How much work is done
on the block the gravitational
force during the slide?
Example
Determining Potential Energy Values

R xf
W = xi F (x )dx = −∆U
Let’s calculate the Gravitational Potential Energy, Elastic Potential
Energy
Determining Potential Energy Values
Conservation of Mechanical Energy

Emec = K + U
Conservation of Mechanical Energy

In an isolated system where only conservative forces cause energy


changes, the kinetic energy and potential energy can change, but
their sum, the mechanical energy Emec of the system, cannot
change.
Example

h = 8.5 m above the bottom of


the slide. Assuming that the
slide is frictionless because of
the water on it, find the speed
at the bottom of the slide.
Example
Reading a Potential Energy Curve
Example

A 2.00 kg particle moves along


an x axis in one-dimensional
motion while a conservative
force along that axis acts on it.
The potential energy U(x )
associated with the force is
plotted in the Figure. That is, if
the particle were placed at any
position between x = 0 and
x = 7 m it would have the
plotted value of U. At x = 6.5
the particle has velocity
~v = −4~i[m/s]. Determine the
particle’s speed at x1 = 4.5m.
Example
Example

Where is the particle’s turning


point located?
Example

Evaluate the force acting on the


particle when it is in the region
Work done on a system by an external force

No Friction Involved:
W = ∆Emec
Work done on a system by an external force

Friction Involved:
A constant horizontal force F ~ pulls a block along an x axis and
through a displacement of magnitude d, increasing the block’s
velocity from v~o to ~v . During the motion, a constant kinetic
frictional force ~f from the floor acts on the block.
Work done on a system by an external force (Friction
Involved)
Work done on a system by an external force (Friction
Involved)
Work done on a system by an external force (Friction
Involved)

Fd = ∆K + fk d.
In a more general situation, there can be a change in potential
energy.To include such a possible change, we generalize the above
to:
Fd = ∆Emec + fk d.
This allows us to write:
∆Eth = fk d (increase in thermal energy by sliding).
## Work done on a system by an external force (Friction
Involved)

W = ∆Emec + ∆Eth (work done on system, friction involved).


Example

An object of mass m = 14 kg is pushed across a concrete floor with


~ of magnitude 40 N. In a straight-line
a constant horizontal force F
displacement of magnitude d = 0.50 m. Its speed decreases from
v0 = 0.60 m/s to v = 0.20m/s.
~ , and on what system does it do
How much work is done by force F
the work?
What is the increase ∆Eth in the thermal energy of the crate and
floor?
Conservation of Energy

W = ∆EEmec + ∆Eth + ∆Eint ,


Isolated System
The total energy E of an isolated system cannot change.
∆EEmec + ∆Eth + ∆Eint = 0, (isolated System)
Power

The average power due to the force is:


∆E
Pavg = ∆t
Similarly, the instantaneous power due to the force is:
dE
P= dt

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