General Physics 1

MODULE Potential Energy Diagram &

7 Center of Mass and Momentum

MODULE DURATION: 1 week

In this module, you can encounter how to use

potential energy diagrams to infer force (stable,
unstable, neutral equilibria) and do some more solving
examples and exercises on the work, energy, and
power like riding a roller-coaster. You will also learn
another concept about center of mass and
momentum. Furthermore, you are to solve problems
related to center of mass and momentum.

Task to perform:
You will be able to solve using experimental and
theoretical approaches, multiple concept, rich-content problems
involving energy, center of mass, and momentum.

At the end of this module, you must be able to:

 Use potential energy diagrams to infer force; stable, unstable, and neutral
equilibria; and turning points.
 Solve problems involving work, energy, and power in context such as, but not
limited to, bungee jumping, design of roller-coasters, number of people required
to build structures such as the Great Pyramids and the rice terraces; power and
energy requirements of human activities such as sleeping vs. sitting vs. standing,
running vs. walking.
 Differentiate center of mass and geometric center.
 Relate the motion of center of mass of a system to the momentum and net
external force acting on the system.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if
we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially
to those who are of the household of faith.”– Galatians 6:9, 10
 What’s on Your Mind?

Question: Have you ever experienced to ride on a roller-coaster like the pictures below? _____

Do you love riding on this? _____ Why? _________________________________________________________________

Can you site on what point on the roller coaster the potential energy is on its maximum energy? How about on its least
energy? Why? ______________________________________________________________________________________
Can you site, as well, on what point on the roller coaster the kinetic energy is on its maximum energy? How about on its
least energy? _______________________________________________________________________________________

LET’S BEGIN!

EQUILIBRIUM AND POTENTIAL ENERGY DIAGRAMS

There are three types of equilibrium: (a) stable, (b) unstable,
and (c) neutral. A system is said to be in stable equilibrium if, when
displaced from equilibrium, it experiences a net force or torque in a
direction opposite to the direction of the displacement. For example,
a marble at the bottom of a bowl will experience a restoring force
when displaced from its equilibrium position. This force moves it
back toward the equilibrium position.
A system is in unstable equilibrium if, when displaced, it experiences a net force or torque in the same direction
as the displacement from equilibrium. A system in unstable equilibrium accelerates away from its equilibrium position if
displaced even slightly. An obvious example is a ball resting on top of a hill. Once displaced, it accelerates away from the
crest.
A system is in neutral equilibrium if its equilibrium is independent of displacements from its original position. A
marble on a flat horizontal surface is an example. Combinations of these situations are possible.
The three types of equilibrium can be described by potential energy diagrams. A potential energy diagram is a
graph of potential energy on the vertical axis and the position on the horizontal
axis.
The maximum points on a potential energy diagram are said to be
points of unstable equilibrium. The minimum points are of stable equilibrium.
Saddle points are points where the potential energy is constant. Saddle points
are neutral equilibrium.

At a turning point,
the potential energy equals the mechanical energy and the kinetic
energy is zero, indicating that the direction of the velocity reverses
there. (U = E ; K = 0)

Solving problem involving potential and kinetic energy in a roller coaster:

1. A roller coaster is released from rest at point A with a height of 50 m above the ground (a) How fast is it moving at
point B (ground level)? (b) How high is point C, with a velocity of 20 m/s, relative to point B? (c) How fast is it moving at
point D that is 15 m above the ground?
a.) Sol’n:
To solve for the velocity when the cart reaches point B. Use the
1
relation, U = K, then put their equivalence, mgh and 2mv2,
respectively. Since at point A, only potential energy has value;
and at point B, only kinetic energy has value. To simplify the
equation of conservation of energy
K1+U1 = K2 + U2, we have U = K.
U=K
1
𝑚𝑔ℎ = 2 𝑚𝑣 2
1 𝑚
𝑔ℎ = 𝑣 2 (Divide both sides with m) 𝑣 = √2𝑔ℎ = √2 (9.8 2 ) (50𝑚)
2 𝑠
2𝑔ℎ = 𝑣 2 (Cross multiply 2) 𝒗 = 𝟑𝟏. 𝟑𝟎 𝒎/𝒔
√𝟐𝒈𝒉 = 𝒗 (Square both sides)

b.) Sol’n:
Since this is a roller coaster ride, remember to make point A as your initial height (h1) and velocity (v0) in order to
solve the remaining problems on the list. To answer the next question, notice that in point A we have only potential
energy (U1). Since point C is in the middle, below point A and above point B, then here we can say that the potential
energy and kinetic energy. Hence for this problem, we have the equation:
𝑚2 𝑚2 𝑚
U1 = K2 + U2 𝑠
490
2 = 200 𝑠2
+ (9.8 𝑠2 )ℎ2
1 𝑚2 𝑚2 𝑚
𝑚𝑔ℎ1 = 2 𝑚𝑣22 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ2 490 𝑠2 − 200 𝑠2 = (9.8 𝑠2 )ℎ2
1 𝑚2 𝑚
𝑔ℎ1 = 2 𝑣22 + 𝑔ℎ2 (Divide both sides m) 290 𝑠2 = (9.8 𝑠2 )ℎ2
𝑚 1 𝑚 2 𝑚
(9.8 2 ) (50 𝑚) = (20 ) + (9.8 2 ) ℎ2 𝟐𝟗. 𝟓𝟗 𝒎 = 𝒉𝟐 (Divide both sides with 9.8 m/s2)
𝑠 2 𝑠 𝑠

c.) The same with previous problem, we need to make point as the preference point since it only have purely potential
energy, thus making it to be potential energy initial or U1. To solve this, since point D is still below point A and above B,
then we can use the equation: U1 = K2 + U2

𝑚2 1 𝑚2
U1 = K2 + U2 490 2 = 𝑣22 + 147 2
𝑠 2 𝑠
1 𝑚2 𝑚2 1 2
𝑚𝑔ℎ1 = 2 𝑚𝑣22 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ2 490 𝑠2
− 147 𝑠2 = 2 𝑣2
1 𝑚2 1
𝑔ℎ1 = 2 𝑣22 + 𝑔ℎ2 (Divide both sides m) 343 𝑠2 = 2 𝑣22
𝑚 1 𝑚 𝑚2
(9.8 𝑠2 ) (50 𝑚) = 2 𝑣22 + (9.8 𝑠2 ) (15 𝑚) 686 𝑠2 = 𝑣22 (Cross multiply 2)
𝑚2
√686 = 𝑣2 (Square both sides)
𝑠2
𝟐𝟔. 𝟏𝟗 𝒎/𝒔 = 𝒗𝟐

2. How high must the roller coaster be released from the rest in order to remain on the track at the top of vertical circle?

Sol’n:
To solve this problem, let’s recall the force acting
on the circular track. Fc = mg where Fc = ma. Since the
acceleration a here is a radial acceleration, we can
𝑚𝑣 2
substitute a in Fc = ma with v2/R, making it to be Fc = 𝑅
.
𝑚𝑣 2 𝑚𝑣 2 𝒗𝟐
Apply the rule of transitivity in two equations, Fc = mg and Fc = 𝑅
, we have now 𝑅
= 𝑚𝑔 or 𝑹
= 𝒈.
Since to solve the height of point A and we also use here the equation U1 = K2 + U2 , then we need to find first
𝒗𝟐
the velocity at the circular track by using our formula, = 𝒈.
𝑹
𝑣2
𝑅
=𝑔
 𝑣 2 = 𝑔𝑅
𝑚
𝑣 = √𝑔𝑅 = √(9.8 2 ) (15 𝑚) = √147 𝑚2 /𝑠 2 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟏𝟐 𝒎/𝒔 (velocity (v2) on the circular track)
𝑠

Next, solve for the height at point A:

U1 = K2 + U2
1
𝑚𝑔ℎ1 = 2 𝑚𝑣22 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ2
1
𝑔ℎ1 = 2 𝑣22 + 𝑔ℎ2 (Divide both sides m)
𝑚 1 𝑚 Note: The height (h2) of circular track is 30 m, since
(9.8 𝑠2 ) ℎ1 = 2 (12.12 𝑚/𝑠)2 + (9.8 𝑠2 ) (30 𝑚)
𝑚 h = 2r and 2(15 m) = 30 m.
(9.8 2 ) ℎ1 = 73.45 𝑚2 /𝑠 2 + 294 𝑚2 /𝑠 2
𝑠
𝑚
(9.8 𝑠2 ) ℎ1 = 367.45 𝑚2 /𝑠 2

𝒉𝟏 = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟒𝟗 𝒎 Suggested video to watch:

https://youtu.be/06TQfl9PlEg
(Source of Sample problems 1 and 2: https://youtu.be/j70bKaBRPdY)

What’s on Your Mind?

Instruction: Observe the images below and try to answer the questions.
Is it possible to balance the seesaw with a little girl on
the left side and an apple on the other side? If yes,
why? If no, why not?

________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

Observe the second picture, why do the man and the boy ________________________________________
made the seesaw into balance? What did they do?

____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

LET’S BEGIN!

CENTER OF MASS
You can think of a center mass as a point where all the mass of the object is concentrated. Statistically,
it is a mass-weighted average position of the particles. Consider the simple case of two objects with masses mA and mB
along the x-axis at position xA and xB The center of mass of this system is defined to be at the position 𝑥𝐶𝑀 =
𝑚𝐴 𝑥𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑥𝐵
.
𝑚𝐴 +𝑚𝐵
If there are more particles along the line, you just have to add terms.
𝒎𝑨 𝒙𝑨 + 𝒎𝑩 𝒙𝑩 + 𝒎𝑪 𝒙𝑪 + ⋯
𝒙𝑪𝑴 = (Use this formula to find the center mass along x-axis)
𝒎𝑨 + 𝒎𝑩 + 𝒎𝑪 + ⋯

𝒎𝑨 𝒚𝑨 + 𝒎𝑩 𝒚𝑩 + 𝒎𝑪 𝒚𝑪 + ⋯
𝒚𝑪𝑴 = (Use this formula to find the center mass along y-axis)
𝒎𝑨 + 𝒎𝑩 + 𝒎𝑪 + ⋯

𝒗𝑨 𝒎𝑨 + 𝒗𝑩 𝒎𝑩 + 𝒗𝑪 𝒎𝑪 + ⋯
𝒗𝑪𝑴 = (Use this formula to find the center mass on velocities)
𝒎𝑨 + 𝒎𝑩 + 𝒎𝑪 + ⋯
Example #1: A 20 kg boy at 4 m away from the pivot of the seesaw and the
other boy weighing 30 kg is on the other side 3 m away from the pivot. Find
the center of mass between the two boys to make the seesaw balance.

Sol’n:
Since a seesaw is obviously on the x-axis, so we use then 𝑥𝐶𝑀 to solve for the center mass of the two boys.
𝑚𝐴 𝑥𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑥𝐵
𝑥𝐶𝑀 = -4 m is used to signify that the 20 kg boy is
𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵
4 m to the left of the pivot.
(20 𝑘𝑔)(−4 𝑚)+(30 𝑘𝑔)(3 𝑚)
= (Substitute the given values respectively)
20 𝑘𝑔 +30 𝑘𝑔
−80 𝑘𝑔·𝑚 +90 𝑘𝑔·𝑚
= (Simplify the operations)
50 𝑘𝑔
10 𝑘𝑔·𝑚
= 50 𝑘𝑔
𝒙𝑪𝑴 = 𝟎. 𝟐 𝒎

2. Find the center mass of the system with point masses m1 = 8 kg and m2 =
12 kg located at coordinates (1, 5) and (4, 2), respectively.
Sol’n:
To visualize the problem, we need to locate the coordinates in the
Cartesian plane.

To solve the center of mass of these two objects, we need to solve the center of mass of x and y components,
respectively. Let’s do it!
𝑚𝐴 𝑥𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑥𝐵 (8 𝑘𝑔)(1) + (12 𝑘𝑔)(4) Note: Use only the x coordinates in both masses
𝑥𝐶𝑀 = = to denote for their respective distance in 𝑥𝐶𝑀 .
𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 8𝑘𝑔 + 12 𝑘𝑔
8 𝑘𝑔 +48 𝑘𝑔 56 𝑘𝑔
= =
20 𝑘𝑔 20 𝑘𝑔
𝑥𝐶𝑀 = 𝟐. 𝟖

𝑚𝐴 𝑦𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑦𝐵 (8 𝑘𝑔)(5) + (12 𝑘𝑔)(2) Note: Use only the y coordinates in both masses
𝑦𝐶𝑀 = =
𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 8𝑘𝑔 + 12 𝑘𝑔 to denote for their respective distance in 𝑦𝐶𝑀 .
40 𝑘𝑔 +24 𝑘𝑔 64 𝑘𝑔
= = 20 𝑘𝑔
20 𝑘𝑔
𝑦𝐶𝑀 = 𝟑. 𝟐
Therefore, the center mass of the system is at (2.8, 3.2).
(Source: https://youtu.be/SWu_i-19Rn0)

3. Particle A of mass 2.0 kg is moving at 15.0 m/s to the east. Particle B of mass 3.0 kg is also moving to the east at 10.0
m/s. Find the velocity of the center of mass of the two particles.
Sol’n:
This is just in one dimension.
𝑣𝐴 𝑚𝐴 + 𝑣𝐵 𝑚𝐵 (15 𝑚/𝑠)(2 𝑘𝑔) + (10 𝑚/𝑠)(3 𝑘𝑔)
𝑣𝐶𝑀 = =
𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 2 𝑘𝑔 + 3 𝑘𝑔
30 𝑘𝑔·𝑚/𝑠 +30 𝑘𝑔·𝑚/𝑠 60 𝑘𝑔·𝑚/𝑠
= =
5 𝑘𝑔 5 𝑘𝑔
𝒎
𝒗𝑪𝑴 = 𝟏𝟐 𝒔 , east
MOMENTUM
Momentum is a vector quantity, having the same direction as velocity. It is the product of mass and velocity. It is
represented by a small p. Its S.I unit is kg·m/s.
𝒑 = 𝒎𝒗 or ∆𝒑 = 𝒎∆𝒗
𝑣𝑓 −𝑣0 𝑚𝑣−𝑚𝑣0
Remember the second law of motion? It is 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎. Substitute a with ∆𝑡
, making 𝐹 = . Hence, force
∆𝑡
∆𝒑
is also equal to the change in momentum over the change in time: = ∆𝒕
.

Example #1: An object experiences a change of momentum of 54 kg·m/s in 9 s. What is the force causing this changing?
Sol’n:
∆𝑝 54 kg·m/s
𝐹= = =6 N
∆𝑡 9𝑠
Example #2: How much momentum does a 15 kg block moving at a speed of 8 m/s have?
Sol’n:
𝑚
𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣 = (15 𝑘𝑔) (8 𝑠 ) = 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝒌𝒈 · 𝒎/𝒔

Example #3: How fast is a 0.0015 kg bullet moving if it has a momentum of 1.2 kg· m/s?
Sol’n:
𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣 (Manipulate to derive for v)
𝑝 1.2 𝑘𝑔 ∙ 𝑚/𝑠
𝑣= = = 𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝒎/𝒔
𝑚 0.0015 𝑘𝑔

Example #4: A force was applied to a 5 kg block to speed it up from rest to 20 m/s in 4 seconds. (a) What is the change in
moment of the object? (b) What is the average force was exerted on the object?
Sol’n:
𝑚 𝑚
a.) ∆𝑝 = 𝑚∆𝑣 = 𝑚(𝑣 − 𝑣0 ) = 5 𝑘𝑔 (20 − 0 )
𝑠 𝑠
𝑚
= 5 𝑘𝑔 (20 )
𝑠
∆𝒑 =100 kg·m/s
∆𝑝 100 𝑘𝑔·𝑚/𝑠
Source of Sample problems 2 to 4: https://youtu.be/NIVNfI0RN2k
b.) 𝐹 = = = 25 N
∆𝑡 4𝑠

LET’S APPLY!

ASSESSMENT 1: I Can Do It!

Direction: Solve the following problems below and attach your solutions on a clean paper. (5 points each item)

1. A roller coaster is released from rest at point A with a height of 80 m above the ground (a) How fast is it moving at point
B (ground level)? (b) How fast is it moving at point C with 20 m above the ground? (c) How high is point D above the ground
with a final velocity of 35 m/s? (Hint: Make an illustration of the problem to analyze more easily)

2. How high must the roller coaster be released from the rest in order to remain on the track at the top of vertical circle
with a radius of 50 m?

3. A 10 kg boy at 5 m away from the pivot of the seesaw and his dad weighing 60 kg is on the other side 5 m away from
the pivot. Find the center of mass between the two of them to make the seesaw balance.

4. Find the center mass of the system with point masses m1 = 8 kg, m2 = 12 kg, m3 = 5 kg, and m4 = 10 kg located at
coordinates (1, 5), (-4, 2), (-2, -3), and (5, -3), respectively.

5. Particle A of mass 40 kg is moving at 15.0 m/s to the east. Particle B of mass 30 kg is also moving to the west at 10.0
m/s. Find the velocity of the center of mass of the two particles.

6. An object experiences a change of momentum of 81 kg·m/s in 9 s. What is the force causing this changing?

7. How much momentum does a 10 kg block moving at a speed of 20 m/s have?

8. How fast is a 1 kg jar moving if it has a momentum of 2.5 kg· m/s?

9. A force was applied to a 3 kg ball to speed it up from 5 m/s to 20 m/s in 10 seconds. (a) What is the change in moment
of the object? (b) What is the average force was exerted on the object?