{"id":1789,"date":"2018-04-10T09:30:15","date_gmt":"2018-04-10T01:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/?p=1789"},"modified":"2023-08-09T08:48:42","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T08:48:42","slug":"conservation-of-mechanical-energy-problems-and-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/conservation-of-mechanical-energy-problems-and-solutions.htm","title":{"rendered":"Conservation of mechanical energy \u2013 problems and solutions","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Conservation of mechanical energy \u2013 problems and solutions<\/span><\/p>\n

1. An m-kg block is released from the top of the smooth inclined plane<\/a>, as shown in the figure below. Comparison between the gravitational potential energy<\/a> and kinetic energy<\/a> of the block at point M is…<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution\"Principle<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Gravitational potential energy at point M :<\/span><\/p>\n

PEM<\/sub> = m g (1\/3h) = 1\/3 m g h <\/span><\/p>\n

Kinetic energy at point M :<\/span><\/p>\n

KEM<\/sub> = EP = m g (2\/3 h) = 2\/3 m g h <\/span><\/p>\n

EPM<\/sub> : EKM <\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

1\/3 m g h : 2\/3 m g h<\/span><\/p>\n

1\/3 : 2\/3<\/span><\/p>\n

1 : 2<\/span><\/p>\n

2. An ice skier sliding from a height of A, as shown in the figure below. If the initial velocity = 0 and acceleration due to gravity<\/a> is 10 ms-2<\/sup>, then what is the velocity of the skier at point B.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :\"Principle<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Initial velocity (vo<\/sub>) = 0<\/span><\/p>\n

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m\/s2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

The change in height = 50 meters \u2013 10 meters = 40 meters<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted:<\/u> Velocity of the skier at point B<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

The principle of conservation of mechanical of energy states that the initial mechanical energy<\/a> = the final mechanical energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

The initial mechanical energy = potential energy at point B (height = 40 meters) <\/span><\/p>\n

The final mechanical energy = kinetic energy at point B <\/span><\/p>\n

The final mechanical energy = The initial mechanical energy <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bd m vt<\/sub>2 <\/sup>= m g h <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bd vt<\/sub>2 <\/sup>= g h <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bd vt<\/sub>2<\/sup> = (10)(50-10) <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bd vt<\/sub>2 <\/sup>= (10)(40)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bd vt<\/sub>2 <\/sup>= 400 <\/span><\/p>\n

vt<\/sub>2 <\/sup>= (2)(400) = 800<\/span><\/p>\n

vt<\/sub> = \u221a800 = \u221a(2)(400) = 20\u221a2 m\/s<\/span><\/p>\n

3. An object start to sliding from a point of A without the initial velocity. If there is no friction force, what is the velocity of the object at the lowest point.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Mass of object = m\"Principle<\/span><\/p>\n

Initial velocity (vo<\/sub>) = 0<\/span><\/p>\n

Height (h) = 20 meters<\/span><\/p>\n

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m\/s2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted :<\/u> Final velocity (vt<\/sub>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Initial mechanical energy (ME1<\/sub>) = Gravitational potential energy at point A (PEA<\/sub>) = m g h = (m)(10)(20) = 200 m <\/span><\/p>\n

Final mechanical energy (ME2<\/sub>) = kinetic energy (KE) = \u00bd m vt<\/sub>2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

The velocity of the object at the lowest point <\/u>(v<\/u>t<\/u><\/sub>) ?<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Apply the principle of conservation of mechanical of energy states that the initial mechanical energy = the final mechanical energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

EM1 = EM2<\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

200 m = \u00bd m vt<\/sub>2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

200 = \u00bd vt<\/sub>2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

400 = vt<\/sub>2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

vt<\/sub> = 20 m\/s<\/span><\/p>\n

4. A 2-kg ball free fall from point A, as shown in figure below (g = 10 ms-2<\/sup>). After arrive at point B, the kinetic energy = 2 times the potential energy. What is the height of point B above the surface of earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :\"Principle<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Mass of ball (m) = 2 kg<\/span><\/p>\n

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 ms-2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Height of point A (hA<\/sub>) = 90 meters<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted:<\/u> Height of point B (hB<\/sub>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

When arriving at point B, the kinetic energy of ball at point B = 2 times gravitational potential energy at point B.<\/span><\/p>\n

EK = 2 EP <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bd m v2<\/sup> = 2 m g hB<\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bd v2<\/sup> = 2 g hB<\/sub> <\/span><\/p>\n

v2<\/sup> = 2(2)(10) hB<\/sub> <\/span><\/p>\n

v2 <\/sup>= 40 hB<\/sub> <\/span><\/p>\n

Velocity (v) of ball when arrive at point B after free fall from point A :<\/span><\/p>\n

v2<\/sup> = 2 g h = 2(10)(90\u2013hB<\/sub>) = 20(90\u2013hB<\/sub>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Substitute v2<\/sup> at above equation with v2<\/sup> at this equation.<\/span><\/p>\n

v2<\/sup> = 40 hB<\/sub> <\/span><\/p>\n

20(90\u2013hB<\/sub>) = 40 hB<\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

1800\u201320 hB<\/sub> = 40 hB<\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

1800 = 40 hB<\/sub> + 20 hB<\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

1800 = 60 hB<\/sub> <\/span><\/p>\n

hB <\/sub>= 1800 \/ 60<\/span><\/p>\n

hB<\/sub> = 30 meters<\/span><\/p>\n

5. A 1-kg ball is released and slides down from point A to point C, as shown in figure below. If the acceleration due to gravity = 10 m.s-2<\/sup>, what is the kinetic energy of ball when arrive at point C.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :\"Principle<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Mass of ball (m) = 1 kg<\/span><\/p>\n

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m\/s2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

The change in height (h) = 0.75 m <\/span><\/p>\n

The initial potential energy (PEo<\/sub>) = m g h = (1)(10)(0.75) = 7.5 Joule<\/span><\/p>\n

Initial kinetic energy (KEo<\/sub>) = \u00bd m vo<\/sub>2<\/sup> = \u00bd m (0)2<\/sup> = 0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The final gravitational potential energy (PEt<\/sub>) = m g h = m g (0) = 0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted :<\/u> Kinetic energy of ball at point C<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

The initial mechanical energy (MEo<\/sub>) = The final mechanical energy (MEt<\/sub>) <\/span><\/p>\n

The initial gravitational potential energy (PEo<\/sub>) + the initial kinetic energy (KEo<\/sub>) = The final gravitational potential energy (PEt<\/sub>) + the final kinetic energy (KEt<\/sub>) <\/span><\/p>\n

7.5 Joule + 0 = 0 + KEt<\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

7.5 Joule = KEt <\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

Kinetic energy of ball at point C = 7.5 Joule.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. A 2-kg ball is released from point A, as shown in figure below. The curve plane is smooth. If the acceleration due to gravity is 10 m.s-2<\/sup>, what is the kinetic energy of ball at point B.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Mass of ball (m) = 2 kg\"Principle<\/span><\/p>\n

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m\/s2 <\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

The change in height (h) = 120 cm = 1.2 meters<\/span><\/p>\n

The initial gravitational potential energy (PEo<\/sub>) = m g h = (2)(10)(1.2) = 24 Joule<\/span><\/p>\n

The initial kinetic energy (KEo<\/sub>) = \u00bd m vo<\/sub>2<\/sup> = \u00bd m (0)2<\/sup> = 0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The final gravitational potential energy (PEt<\/sub>) = m g h = m g (0) = 0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted :<\/u> Kinetic energy of ball at point B<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

The mechanical energy at point A (initial mechanical energy) = the mechanical energy at point B (the final mechanical energy)<\/span><\/p>\n

The initial mechanical energy (MEo<\/sub>) = the final mechanical energy (MEt<\/sub>) <\/span><\/p>\n

The initial gravitational potential energy (PEo<\/sub>) + the initial kinetic energy (KEo<\/sub>) = the final gravitational potential energy (PEt<\/sub>) + the final kinetic energy (KEt<\/sub>) <\/span><\/p>\n

24 Joule + 0 = 0 + KEt<\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

24 Joule = KEt <\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

Kinetic energy (KE) of ball at point C = 24 Joule.<\/span><\/p>\n

7<\/span>. An object has a fixed mechanical energy, greater kinetic energy, and a smaller gravitational potential energy. The object is…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A. At rest<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B. move upward<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

C. move downward<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

D. Accelerated upward<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/span><\/p>\n

Kinetic energy is getting bigger means the velocity of the object is getting bigger and the gravitational potential energy is smaller means that the height of the object from the soil surface is smaller. This happens when the object moves from a certain height down to the ground.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The relationship between speed and kinetic energy is shown by the kinetic energy formula:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

KE = \u00bd m v<\/span>2<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Description of formula: KE = kinetic energy, m = mass, v = speed<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The relationship between height and gravitational potential energy is represented by the gravitational potential energy formula:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

PE = m g h<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Description of formula: PE = gravitational potential energy, m = mass, g = acceleration of gravity, h = height<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The correct answer is C.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. What is mechanical energy?<\/strong><\/span>\n