➢ Law of Conservation of Energy

➢ Related problem solving

 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Definition of mechanical energy:

(8-6)

Using this definition and considering only

conservative forces, we find:

Or equivalently:
 Work Done by Nonconservative Forces
In the presence of nonconservative forces, the total
mechanical energy is not conserved:

Solving,

(8-9)
EXTENDED WORK-ENERGY THEOREM
 The work-energy theorem can be written as:

Wnet = KEf − KEi = KE

Wnet = Wnc + Wc
 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
Wc = PEi − PE f
 Gravity work Wg = PEi − PE f = mgyi − mgy f

Spring force work 1 2 1 2


Ws = PEi − PE f = kxi − kx f
2 2
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 EXTENDED WORK-ENERGY THEOREM
 Any work done by conservative forces can be accounted for by
changes in potential energy
Wc = PEi − PE f = −( PE f − PEi ) = −PE
Wnc = KE + PE = ( KE f − KEi ) + ( PE f − PEi )
Wnc = ( KE f + PE f ) − ( KEi + PEi )
 Mechanical energy includes kinetic and potential energy

1 1
E = KE + PE = KE + PE g + PEs = mv 2 + mgy + kx 2
2 2

Wnc = E f − Ei
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PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGY
 Define the system to see if it includes non-conservative forces
(especially friction, drag force …)
 Without non-conservative forces
1 2 1 1 1
mv f + mgy f + kx 2f = mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2
2 2 2 2
 With non-conservative forces Wnc = ( KE f + PE f ) − ( KEi + PEi )
1 1 1 1
− fd + Wotherforces = ( mv 2f + mgy f + kx 2f ) − ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
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

10/31/2023
 12-3 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Energy conservation can make kinematics problems
much easier to solve:
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
  E =  K +  U = 0 if conservative forces are the only
forces that do work on the system.
 The total amount of energy in the system is constant.
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
mv f + mgy f + kx f = mvi + mgyi + kxi
2 2 2 2
  E =  K +  U = -fkd if friction forces are doing work on
the system.
 The total amount of energy in the system is still constant,
but the change in mechanical energy goes into “internal
energy” or heat.

1 1  1 1 
− f k d =  mv 2f + mgy f + kx 2f  −  mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 
2 2  2 2 
October 31, 2023
 CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY
❑ A block of mass m = 0.40 kg slides across a horizontal
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 what distance d is
the spring compressed?
Wnc = ( KE f + PE f ) − ( KEi + PEi )

1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2
mv f + mgy f + kx 2f = mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 0 + 0 + kd = mv + 0 + 0
2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1
0 + 0 + kd 2 = mv 2 + 0 + 0
2 2
m 2
d= v = 1.15cm
k

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 CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY
❑ 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 determine the speed of the crate at the bottom of the
ramp.

10/31/2023
 CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY
❑ 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 determine the speed of the crate at the bottom of the
ramp.
1 1 1 1
− fd + Wotherforces = ( mv 2f + mgy f + kx 2f ) − ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
( mv 2f + mgy f + kx 2f ) = ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
2 2 2 2

d = 1m, yi = d sin 30 = 0.5m, vi = 0 y f = 0, v f = ?

1
( mv 2f + 0 + 0) = (0 + mgyi + 0)
2

v f = 2 gyi = 3.1m / s 10/31/2023

CHANGES IN MECHANICAL ENERGY FOR
NON-CONSERVATIVE FORCES
❑ 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 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.

fk

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CHANGES IN MECHANICAL ENERGY FOR
NON-CONSERVATIVE FORCES
❑ 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 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.
1 1 1 1
− fd + Wotherforces = ( mv 2f + mgy f + kx 2f ) − ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
2 2 2 2
1 2 N
− k Nd + 0 = ( mv f + 0 + 0) − (0 + mgyi + 0)
2
fk
k = 0.15, d = 1m, yi = d sin 30 = 0.5m, N = ?
N − mg cos  = 0
1 2
− k dmg cos  = mv f − mgyi
2
v f = 2 g ( yi −  k d cos  ) = 2.7 m / s

10/31/2023
CHANGES IN MECHANICAL ENERGY FOR
NON-CONSERVATIVE FORCES
❑ 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 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.
CHANGES IN MECHANICAL ENERGY FOR
NON-CONSERVATIVE FORCES
❑ 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 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.

1 1 1 1
− fd + Wotherforces = ( mv 2f + mgy f + kx 2f ) − ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
2 2 2 2
1
−  k Nx + 0 = (0 + 0 + 0) − ( mvi2 + 0 + 0)
2
k = 0.15, vi = 2.7m / s, N = ?
N − mg = 0
1
−  k mgx = − mvi2
2
2
v
x = i = 2.5m
2 k g
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 un-stretched. 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.

10/31/2023
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 un-stretched. 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.
− fd + Wotherforces = KE + PE

1
PE = PE g + PE s = (0 − m2 gh) + ( kx 2 − 0)
2
1
−  k Nx + 0 = −m2 gh + kx 2
2

N = mg and x=h 1
m2 g − kh
1
−  k m1 gh = −m2 gh + kh 2 k = 2
2 m1 g

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BLOCK-SPRING COLLISION
 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 be frictionless, calculate the
maximum compression of the spring after the collision.

10/31/2023
 BLOCK-SPRING COLLISION
 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 be frictionless, calculate the
maximum compression of the spring after the collision.

1 2 1 1 1
mv f + mgy f + kx 2f = mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2
2 2 2 2
1 2 1 2
mvmax + 0 + 0 = mv A + 0 + 0
2 2
m 0.8kg
xmax = vA = (1.2m / s) = 0.15m
k 50 N / m

10/31/2023
BLOCK-SPRING COLLISION
 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 maximum compression xc in the
spring.

10/31/2023
 BLOCK-SPRING COLLISION
 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 maximum compression xc in the
spring.
1 1 1 1
− fd + Wotherforces = ( mv 2f + mgy f + kx 2f ) − ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
2 2 2 2
1 1
− k Nd + 0 = (0 + 0 + kxc2 ) − ( mv A2 + 0 + 0)
2 2
N = mg and d = xc
1 2 1 2
kxc − mv A = −  k mgxc
2 2
25 xc2 + 3.9 xc − 0.58 = 0
xc = 0.093m
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