Work-mechanical energy principle – problems and solutions

1. A 2-kg box decelerated from 10 m/s to rest. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.2. Acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/s². What is the magnitude of displacement?

Known ;

Mass (m) = 2 kg

Initial velocity (v_o) = 10 m/s

Final velocity (v_t) = 0 m/s

The coefficient of kinetic friction (μ_k) = 0.2

Weight (w) = m g = (1 kg)(10 m/s²) = 10 kg m/s² = 10 N

Wanted : The magnitude of displacement (d)

Solution :

The work-mechanical energy principle :

W_nc = ΔEM

W_nc = ΔEK + ΔEP

W_nc = ½ m (v_t² – v_o²) + m g h

W_nc = work done by nonconservative force acting on the object

ΔEK = the change in kinetic energy

ΔEP = the change in potential energy

m = mass

v = velocity

g = acceleration due to gravity

h = the change in height

The change in height h = 0 so ΔEP = 0

W_nc = ΔEK

Work done by nonconservative force :

W_nc = -F_c d = – μ_k N d = – μ_k w d = – μ_k m g d

W_nc = -(0.2)(2)(10)(s)

W_nc = – (4)(2)

The minus sign indicates that the direction of kinetic friction force is opposite with the direction of displacement.

The change in kinetic energy :

ΔEK = ½ m (v_t² – v_o²) = ½ (2)(0 – 10²) = 0 – 100 = -100

The magnitude of displacement :

W_nc = ΔEK

– 4 s = – 100

s = -100/-4

s = 25 m

2. A block slides down on inclined plane. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.4. Acceleration due to gravity is g = 10 m.s^-2. Determine the final velocity when the block hits the ground.

Known :

Initial height (h_o) = 6 m

Final height (h_t) = 0 m

Initial velocity (v_o) = 0

The coefficient of kinetic friction (μ_k) = 0.4

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m.s^-2

cos θ = 8/10

The vertical component of weight = w_y = w cos θ = m g cos θ = m (10)(8/10) = m (10)(4/5) = m (40/5) = 8 m

Normal force = N = w_y = 8 m

Force of kinetic friction = f_k = μ_k N = μ_k w_y = (0.4)(8 m) = 3.2 m

Wanted : Final velocity (v_t)

Solution :

The work-mechanical energy principle :

W_nc = ΔEM

W_nc = ΔEK + ΔEP

The change in kinetic energy :

ΔEK = 1/2 m (v_t² – v_o²) = 1/2 m (v_t² – 0) = 1/2 m v_t²

The change in potential energy :

ΔEP = m g (h_t – h_o) = m (10)(0-6) = m (10)(-6) = – 60 m

Work done by force of kinetic friction :

W_nc = – f_k s = – (3.2 m)(10) = – 32 m

The minus sign indicates that the direction of force of kinetic friction is opposite with the direction of displacement.

The final velocity (v_t) :

W_nc = ΔEK + ΔEP

– 32 m = 1/2 m v_t² – 60 m

– 32 m = m (1/2 v_t² – 60)

– 32 = 1/2 v_t² – 60

– 32 + 60 = 1/2 v_t²

28 = 1/2 v_t²

2 (28) = v_t²

56 = v_t²

v_t = √4.14

v_t = 2√14 m.s^-1

3. A block slides down on rough inclined plane. The initial velocity is 0 m/s and the final velocity is 10 ms^-1. If the force of kinetic friction is 2 N and acceleration due to gravity g = 10 ms^-2, what is height (h) ?

Known :

Mass (m) = 1 kg

Initial velocity (v_o) = 0 (block rest)

Final velocity (v_t) = 10 ms^-1

Initial height (h_o) = h

Final height (h_t) = 0

Force of kinetic friction (f_k) = 2 N

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 ms^-2

Wanted : Height (h)

Solution :

Work done by the force of kinetic friction :

W_nc = – f_k s = – (2)(15) = – 30

The minus sign indicates that the direction of force of kinetic friction is opposite with the direction of displacement.

The change in kinetic energy :

ΔEK = 1/2 m (v_t² – v_o²) = 1/2 (1)(10² – 0) = 1/2 (10²) = 1/2 (100) = 50

The change in potential energy :

ΔEP = m g (h_t – h_o) = (1)(10)(0-h) = (10)(-h) = -10 h

The work-mechanical energy principle :

W_nc = ΔEK + ΔEP

– 30 = 50 – 10 h

10 h = 50 + 30

10 h = 80

h = 80/10

h = 8 m

4. If a block moves down a roughly inclined plane, then ….
A. The work done by gravity force on the block is greater than the change of potential energy of the block
B. The mechanical energy increases
C. The amount of kinetic energy and its potential energy is reduced
D. The work done by the friction force equal to the change in kinetic energy of the block
Solution

A is wrong

Work done by the force of gravity on the block equal to the change in the gravitational potential energy of a block.

B is wrong

If the inclined plane is smooth then the mechanical energy of the block is constant. When at the top of the inclined plane and not yet moves, the mechanical energy of the block is equal to the gravitational potential energy. The block still at rest so its kinetic energy is zero. When moves down an inclined plane, the height of the block is reduced so the gravitational potential energy is also reduced. The gravitational potential energy decreases because it changed to the kinetic energy. Although the gravitational potential energy change into the kinetic energy but the mechanical energy is constant.

If the inclined plane is rough then the mechanical energy of the block is decreased because of the negative work done by the friction force. The friction force is a non-conservative force. Work done by a non-conservative force on an object causes the mechanical energy of the object is decreased.

C is correct

The inclined plane is rough so there is a friction force that challenges the motion of the block, The friction force is a non-conservative force. Theorem work-mechanical energy states that work done by a non-conservative force (for example friction force) equal to the change of the mechanical energy. In this chase, the mechanical energy is decreased.

The mechanical energy of block = the gravitational potential energy + the kinetic energy.

D is wrong.

The work done by the friction force on the block equal to the change of the mechanical energy of block, not the change of the kinetic energy of the block. True that the friction force challenges the motion of the block so it decreases the speed of block and decreases the kinetic energy of the block. But realize that the kinetic energy of the block comes from the gravitational potential energy. So it’s true stated that the work done by the friction force equal to the change in the mechanical energy (mechanical energy decreases).

The correct answer is C.

5. An object on a rough floor is hit so it moves for 3 seconds then stop. If the known mass of the object is 10 grams, the friction force between object and floor is 2 kilodyne. Determine the work done by the friction force.

A. 0.18 J

B. -0.18 J

C. 0.36 J

D. -0.36 J

Known :

Time interval (t) = 3 seconds

Final speed (v_t) = 0 m/s (object rests)

Mass of object (m) = 10 grams = 10/1000 kg = 1/100 kg = 0.01 kg

Friction force (F) = 2 kilodyne = 2 x 10³ dyne

Wanted : Work (W) done by friction force

Solution :

Conversion of unit of force :

1 Newton = 1 x 10⁵ dyne

1 dyne = 1 / 10⁵ Newton = 1 x 10^-5 Newton = 10^-5 Newton

Friction force (F) = 2 x 10³ dyne = 2 x 10³ x 10^-5 Newton = 2 x 10^-2 Newton = 2/100 Newton = 0.02 Newton

Theorem work-mechanical energy states that work done by a non-conservative force on an object equal to the change in the mechanical energy of the object.

If an object moves on the inclined plane then the mechanical energy (ME) = the gravitational potential energy (PE) + the kinetic energy (KE). But if the object moves just on a horizontal plane so there is no change in height the mechanical energy = the kinetic energy. On the horizontal plane, the gravitational potential energy is zero because there is no change in height.

The friction force is a non-conservative force. The friction force usually decreases the object’s speed and an object’s kinetic energy. Can conclude that work done by the friction force on an object equal to the decreases of the mechanical energy.

Mathematically :

Work (W) = The change of the mechanical energy (ΔEM)

F s = ΔEP + ΔEK

F s = m g Δh + ½ m (v_t² – v_o²)

F s = m g (0) + ½ m (0² – v_o²)

F s = 0 + ½ m (– (v_o²))

F s = – ½ m v_o² ———— Equation 1

Description : F = friction force, d = displacement, m = mass, v_o = initial speed

Displacement (d) and initial speed (v_o) not known yet because first calculate v_o or d. Work done by the friction force calculated using one of the equation after known v_o or d.

The equation of displacement (d) on nonuniform linear motion :

v_t² = v_o² + 2 (-a) s

The final speed (v_t) = 0 and acceleration (a) is signed negative because the object is decelerated (the speed of object is decreases).

0 = v_o² – 2 a d

v_o² = 2 a d

d = v_o² / 2 a ———— Equation 2

Change d on equation 2 with d in equation 1 :

F d = – ½ m v_o²

F (v_o²/2a) = – ½ m v_o²

(F/2a) v_o² = – ½ m v_o²

F/2a = – ½ m

F = (2)(a)(-1/2)(m)

F = – (a)(m)

a = – (F / m)

a = – 0.02 Newton / 0.01 kilogram

a = – 2 Newton/kilogram

a = – 2 m/s²

Equation to calculate the initial speed (v_o) in nonuniform linear motion :

v_t = v_o + a t —–> Final speed (v_t) = 0, Acceleration (a) = 2 m/s², time interval (t) = 3 seconds

0 = v_o + (-2)(3)

0 = v_o – 6

v_o = 6 meters/second

Work (W) done by the friction force :

W = – ½ m v_o² = -1/2 (0.01)(6²) = -1/2 (0.01)(36)

W = -1/2 (0.36)

W = – 0.18 Joule

Work done by the friction force is signed negative means that the work decreases the mechanical energy of the object.

If known d the work can calculate using the equation of W = F d.

The correct answer is B.

[wpdm_package id=’1178′]

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