131 lines
4.6 KiB
TeX
131 lines
4.6 KiB
TeX
\subsection{Kinetic Energy and the Work-Energy Theorem}
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This subsection introduces kinetic energy as the energy of motion and the work-energy theorem as the main AP bridge from force and displacement to speed without solving for time explicitly.
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\dfn{Kinetic energy and net work}{Let $m$ denote the mass of a particle or body, let $\vec{v}$ denote its velocity, and let $v=|\vec{v}|$ denote its speed. The \emph{kinetic energy} of the body is
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\[
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K=\tfrac12 mv^2.
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\]
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If forces $\vec{F}_1$, $\vec{F}_2$, $\dots$, and $\vec{F}_n$ act on the body while it undergoes an infinitesimal displacement $d\vec{r}$, then the differential work done by force $i$ is
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\[
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dW_i=\vec{F}_i\cdot d\vec{r}.
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\]
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Let the net force be
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\[
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\vec{F}_{\text{net}}=\sum_{i=1}^n \vec{F}_i.
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\]
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Then the \emph{net work} is the sum of the works done by all forces:
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\[
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dW_{\text{net}}=\sum_{i=1}^n dW_i=\vec{F}_{\text{net}}\cdot d\vec{r}.
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\]
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Over a finite motion,
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\[
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W_{\text{net}}=\int \vec{F}_{\text{net}}\cdot d\vec{r}=\sum_{i=1}^n W_i.
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\]
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The SI unit of both work and kinetic energy is the joule, where $1\,\mathrm{J}=1\,\mathrm{N\,m}$.}
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\thm{Work-energy theorem}{Let $m$ denote the mass of a body, let $\vec{v}$ denote its velocity, let $v=|\vec{v}|$ denote its speed, and let $d\vec{r}$ denote an infinitesimal displacement of the body. Then
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\[
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dK=\vec{F}_{\text{net}}\cdot d\vec{r}.
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\]
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Integrating from an initial state to a final state gives the work-energy theorem:
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\[
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W_{\text{net}}=\Delta K=K_f-K_i=\tfrac12 mv_f^2-\tfrac12 mv_i^2.
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\]
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Thus the net work done on a body equals the change in its kinetic energy.}
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\nt{The work-energy theorem is often more efficient than combining Newton's second law with kinematics when the problem asks for a speed after a known displacement or after a known amount of work. It avoids solving for time and often avoids solving for acceleration explicitly. In AP mechanics, \emph{net work} means the algebraic sum of the work done by all forces on the chosen system. A force parallel to the displacement does positive work, a force opposite the displacement does negative work, and a force perpendicular to the displacement does zero work.}
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\pf{Short derivation from Newton II}{Let $m$ denote the constant mass of the body, let $\vec{v}$ denote its velocity, and let $d\vec{r}$ denote its infinitesimal displacement. Start with Newton's second law,
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\[
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\vec{F}_{\text{net}}=m\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.
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\]
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Since
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\[
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d\vec{r}=\vec{v}\,dt,
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\]
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dot both sides of Newton's second law with $d\vec{r}$:
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\[
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\vec{F}_{\text{net}}\cdot d\vec{r}=m\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}\cdot (\vec{v}\,dt)=m\vec{v}\cdot d\vec{v}.
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\]
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Now use
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\[
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v^2=\vec{v}\cdot \vec{v},
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\]
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so
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\[
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d(v^2)=2\vec{v}\cdot d\vec{v}.
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\]
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Therefore,
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\[
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\vec{F}_{\text{net}}\cdot d\vec{r}=m\vec{v}\cdot d\vec{v}=d\!\left(\tfrac12 mv^2\right)=dK.
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\]
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Integrating gives
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\[
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W_{\text{net}}=\int \vec{F}_{\text{net}}\cdot d\vec{r}=\int dK=K_f-K_i=\Delta K.
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\]}
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\qs{Worked example}{Choose the positive $x$-axis to the right. A crate of mass $m=4.0\,\mathrm{kg}$ moves to the right on a horizontal floor with initial speed $v_i=3.0\,\mathrm{m/s}$. A constant applied force of magnitude $F_A=20.0\,\mathrm{N}$ acts to the right while the crate moves a horizontal distance $\Delta x=6.0\,\mathrm{m}$. Kinetic friction of magnitude $f_k=4.0\,\mathrm{N}$ acts to the left. The normal force and the weight act vertically.
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Find the crate's final speed $v_f$.}
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\sol Use the work-energy theorem:
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\[
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W_{\text{net}}=\Delta K=\tfrac12 mv_f^2-\tfrac12 mv_i^2.
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\]
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Compute the work done by each force.
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The applied force is parallel to the displacement, so its work is positive:
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\[
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W_A=F_A\Delta x=(20.0\,\mathrm{N})(6.0\,\mathrm{m})=120\,\mathrm{J}.
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\]
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The friction force is opposite the displacement, so its work is negative:
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\[
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W_f=-f_k\Delta x=-(4.0\,\mathrm{N})(6.0\,\mathrm{m})=-24\,\mathrm{J}.
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\]
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The normal force and the weight are perpendicular to the horizontal displacement, so each does zero work:
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\[
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W_N=0,
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\qquad
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W_g=0.
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\]
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Therefore the net work is
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\[
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W_{\text{net}}=W_A+W_f+W_N+W_g=120\,\mathrm{J}-24\,\mathrm{J}=96\,\mathrm{J}.
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\]
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Now find the initial kinetic energy:
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\[
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K_i=\tfrac12 mv_i^2=\tfrac12 (4.0\,\mathrm{kg})(3.0\,\mathrm{m/s})^2=18\,\mathrm{J}.
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\]
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So the final kinetic energy is
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\[
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K_f=K_i+W_{\text{net}}=18\,\mathrm{J}+96\,\mathrm{J}=114\,\mathrm{J}.
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\]
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Use $K_f=\tfrac12 mv_f^2$:
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\[
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\tfrac12 (4.0\,\mathrm{kg})v_f^2=114\,\mathrm{J}.
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\]
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Thus
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\[
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2.0\,v_f^2=114,
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\qquad
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v_f^2=57,
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\qquad
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v_f=\sqrt{57}\,\mathrm{m/s}\approx 7.5\,\mathrm{m/s}.
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\]
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Therefore the crate's final speed is
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\[
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v_f\approx 7.5\,\mathrm{m/s}.
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\]
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This method is shorter than solving for the acceleration and then using a kinematics equation, because the theorem connects net work directly to the change in speed.
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