Chapter 8

Potential Energy and Conservation

of Energy
8-1 Potential Energy
 Potential energy U is energy that can be associated with
the configuration of a system of objects that exert forces
on one another
 A system of objects may be:
o Earth and a bungee jumper

o Gravitational potential energy accounts for kinetic

energy increase during the fall
o Elastic potential energy accounts for deceleration by
the bungee cord
 Physics determines how potential energy is calculated, to
account for stored energy
 For an object being raised or lowered:

 The change in gravitational potential energy is the

negative of the work done
 This also applies to an elastic block-spring system
 Key points:
1. The system consists of two or more objects
2. A force acts between a particle (tomato/block) and
the rest of the system
3. When the configuration changes, the force does
work W1, changing kinetic energy to another form
4. When the configuration change is reversed, the
force reverses the energy transfer, doing work W2
 Thus the kinetic energy of the tomato/block becomes
potential energy, and then kinetic energy again
 Conservative forces are forces for which W1 = -W2 is
always true
o Examples: gravitational force, spring force
o Otherwise we could not speak of their potential energies

 Nonconservative forces are those for which W1 = -W2

is false
o Examples: kinetic friction force, drag force
o Kinetic energy of a moving particle is transferred to heat by
friction
o Thermal energy cannot be recovered back into kinetic energy
of the object via the friction force
o Therefore the force is not conservative, thermal energy is not a
potential energy
 When only conservative forces act on a particle, we find
many problems can be simplified:

 A result of this is that:

 Mathematically:

 This result allows you to substitute a simpler path for a

more complex one if only conservative forces are
involved
 Gravitational energy is conservative one:

• Work done by the gravitational force in path 1:

𝑊𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔𝑑 cos 90° + 𝑚𝑔𝑑1 cos 0° + 𝑚𝑔𝑑 cos 90° + 𝑚𝑔𝑑2 cos 0°
𝑊𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
• Work done by the gravitational force in path 2:

𝑊𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ cos 0° = 𝑚𝑔ℎ

Answer: No. The paths from a → b have different signs. One pair of
paths allows the formation of a zero-work loop. The other does not.
 For the general case, we calculate work as:

 So we calculate potential energy as:

 Gravitational PE, relative to a reference configuration with

reference point yi = 0:
Elastic PE:
Spring force:

 With reference point xi = 0 for a relaxed spring:

Answer: (3), (1), (2); a positive force does positive work,

decreasing the PE.
a negative force (in figure 3) does negative work, increasing
the PE
8-2 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
 The mechanical energy of a system is the sum of its
potential energy U and kinetic energy K:

 Work done by conservative forces increases K and

decreases U by that amount, so:

 Using subscripts to refer to different instants of time:

 The principle of the Conservation of Mechanical Energy:

 One application:
o Choose the lowest point in the
system as U = 0
o Then at the highest point U = max,
and K = min
Answer: Since there are no nonconservative forces, all of the difference
in potential energy must go to kinetic energy. Therefore all are equal in
(a). Because of this fact, they are also all equal in (b).
a) Change in gravitational potential energy:
∆𝑈𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔∆𝑦 = 0.005 𝑘𝑔 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 20 𝑚 = 0.98 J
a) Change in elastic potential energy:
By conservation of mechanical energy (Kinetic energy is zero at the
release point and highest one) ∆𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐 = 0 → ∆𝑈𝑔 + ∆𝑈𝑠 + ∆𝐾 = 0
∆𝑈𝑠 = −∆𝑈𝑔 = −0.98 𝐽
c) The change in elastic potential energy by the compressed spring is
1
equal to work done by the spring. ∆𝑈𝑠 = −𝑊𝑠 = − 𝑘 𝑥 2
2
1 2
−0.98 𝐽 = − 𝑘 0.08𝑚 →→ 𝑘 = 306.1𝑁/𝑚
2
From chapter 4:
1 2
∆𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡
2
To find the vertical displacement of the particle between t= 0 to 6 sec:
1
∆𝑦 = 24𝑚/𝑠 6 𝑠 + −10 𝑚/𝑠 2 6 𝑠 2
= −36 m
2

∆𝑈 = 𝑚𝑔 ∆𝑦 = 1.0 𝑘𝑔 10 𝑚/𝑠 2 −36 m = −360 𝐽

 𝐹𝑎 270 𝑁
Spring constant: 𝐹𝑎 = 𝑘𝑥 →→ 𝑘 = = = 13.5 × 103 𝑁/𝑚
𝑥 0.02 𝑚
a) By conservation of mechanical energy(A and C):
∆𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐 = 0 → ∆𝑈𝑔 + ∆𝑈𝑠 + ∆𝐾 = 0
1 1 103 𝑁
∆𝑈𝑔 = −∆𝑈𝑠 = − 𝑘 𝑥2 = − 13.5 × 0.055 𝑚 2 = −20.4 𝐽
2 2 𝑚

−20.4 𝐽
∆𝑈𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔∆𝑦 → ∆𝑦 = 2
= 0.174 𝑚
12 𝑘𝑔 9.8 𝑚/𝑠
0.174 𝑚
The total distance travelled by the block = = 0.35𝑚
𝑠𝑖𝑛30°
b) The speed of the block just as it touches the spring:
By conservation of mechanical energy(A and B):
∆𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐 = 0 → ∆𝑈𝑔 + ∆𝐾 = 0
∆𝐾 = −∆𝑈𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔∆𝑦 = 𝑚𝑔 0.35𝑚 − 0.055𝑚 sin 30° = 𝑚𝑔 0.1475𝑚
1
∆𝐾 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2
𝑣= 2𝑔ℎ = 2 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 0.1475𝑚 = 1.7 𝑚/𝑠
Energy is conserved in the process. The total energy of the block at
position B is:

1 2
𝐸𝐵 = 12 𝑘𝑔 1.7𝑚/𝑠 + 12 𝑘𝑔 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 0.0275 𝑚 = 20.5J
2
8-3 Reading a Potential Energy Curve
 For one dimension, force and potential energy are related
(by work) as:

 Therefore we can find the force F(x) from a plot of the

potential energy U(x), by taking the derivative (slope)
 If we write the mechanical energy out:

 We see how K(x) varies with U(x):

Notes:
 To find K(x) at any place, take the total mechanical energy
(constant) and subtract U(x)
 Places where K = 0 are Turning points
o There, the particle changes direction (K cannot be
negative)
 At equilibrium points, the slope of U(x) is 0
 A particle in Neutral equilibrium is stationary, with
potential energy only, and net force = 0
o If displaced to one side slightly, it would remain in its
new position
o Example: a marble on a flat tabletop
 A particle in Unstable equilibrium is stationary, with
potential energy only, and net force = 0
o If displaced slightly to one direction, it will feel a force
propelling it in that direction
o Example: a marble balanced on a bowling ball
 A particle in Stable equilibrium is stationary, with potential
energy only, and net force = 0
o If displaced to one side slightly, it will feel a force
returning it to its original position
o Example: a marble placed at the bottom of a bowl
x < x1 is forbidden for the
Emec = 5 J: the particle does
not have the energy to
reach those points
Answer: (a) CD, AB, BC (b) to the right
A straight line has constant slope
20 − 16 20 − 7
1, 20 , 𝑥, 16 , 4, 7 = →→ 𝑥 = 1.9 𝑚
1 −𝑥 1−4 To the right
8-4 Work Done on a System by an External Force
 We can extend work on an object to work on a system:

 For a system of more than 1 particle, work

can change both K and U, or other forms of
energy of the system
 For a frictionless system:
 For a system with Friction:

 The thermal energy comes from the forming and breaking

of the welds between the sliding surfaces
Answer: All trials result in equal thermal energy change. The value of 𝑓𝑘 is
the same in all cases.

𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝐹𝑁 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔
To determine the system on which the work is done, let’s check which energies change:
Crate: change in its kinetic energy ∆𝐾.
There is a friction between the crate and the floor since the applied force in the same
direction of the crate velocity but the crate is slowing ∆𝐸𝑡ℎ .
Crate-floor system, because both energy changes occur in that system.
8-5 Conservation of Energy
 Energy transferred between systems can always be
accounted for
 The law of conservation of energy concerns
o The total energy E of a system
o Which includes mechanical, thermal, and other internal
energy

 Considering only energy transfer through work:

 An isolated system is one for which there can be no external
energy transfer

 Energy transfers may happen internal to the system

 We can write:

 Or, for two instants of time:

 We can expand the definition of power
 In general, power is the rate at which energy is transferred
by a force from one type to another
 If energy ΔE is transferred in time Δt, the average power
is:

 And the instantaneous power is:

a)
𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝐹𝑁 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝜃 = 0.1 267 𝑁 cos 20° = 25.1 N
∆𝐸𝑡ℎ = 𝑓𝑘 𝑑 = 25.1𝑁 6.1 𝑚 = 153 𝐽
b)
𝑲𝒇 = 𝑲𝒊 − ∆𝑼 − ∆𝑬𝒕𝒉
∆𝑈 = 𝑚𝑔 ∆𝑦 = 267𝑁 −6.1 𝑚 sin 20° = −557 J
1 2 1 267 𝑁 2 = 2.8 𝐽
𝐾𝑖 = 𝑚𝑣𝑖 = 0.457𝑚/𝑠
2 2 10 𝑚/𝑠 2
𝑲𝒇 = 𝟐. 𝟖𝑱 + 𝟓𝟓𝟕𝑱 − 𝟏𝟓𝟑 𝑱 = 𝟒𝟎𝟔. 𝟖𝑱

𝒗𝒇 = 𝟐𝑲𝒇 Τ𝒎 = 𝟓. 𝟓 𝐦/𝐬
 𝑲𝒊 + 𝑼𝒊 = 𝑲𝒇 + 𝑼𝒇 + ∆𝑬𝒕𝒉
𝟐. 𝟖 𝑱 + 𝟓𝟓𝟕 𝑱 = 𝑲𝒇 + 𝟎 + 𝟏𝟓𝟑 𝑱
𝑲𝒇 = 𝟐. 𝟖𝑱 + 𝟓𝟓𝟕𝑱 − 𝟏𝟓𝟑 𝑱 = 𝟒𝟎𝟔. 𝟖𝑱
 1 2
∆𝐸𝑡ℎ = −∆𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐 = 𝐾𝑖 − 𝐾𝑓 + 𝑈𝑖 − 𝑈𝑓 = 0 − 0 + 𝑘𝑥 − 0
2
1 2
𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝑑 = 𝑘𝑥
2
1 𝑁
𝜇𝑘 2 𝑘𝑔 10𝑚/𝑠 2 0.75 𝑚 = 200 0.15𝑚 2
2 𝑚
𝜇𝑘 = 0.15
 Example: As shown in the below figure, the right end of a spring is fixed to a wall. A 1.00 Kg
block is then pushed against the free end so that the spring is compressed by 0.25m. After
the block is released, it slides along a horizontal floor and (after leaving the spring) up an
incline; both floor and incline are frictionless. Its maximum (vertical) height on the incline is
5.00m. What are (a) the spring constant and (b) the maximum speed? (c) If the angle of the
incline is increased, What happens to the maximum (vertical) height?
a) By using conservation of mechanical energy when the block from point A to point B
𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐,𝐴 = 𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐,𝐵 Isolated system with No friction
𝐾𝐴 + 𝑈𝑠,𝐴 + 𝑈𝑔,𝐴 = 𝐾𝐵 + 𝑈𝑠,𝐵 + 𝑈𝑔,𝐵
1
0 + 𝑘 𝑥 2 + 0 = 0 + 0 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥
2
2𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥 2 1𝑘𝑔 10𝑚/𝑠 2 5𝑚
𝑘= = = 1600 𝑁Τ𝑚
𝑥 2 0.25𝑚 2
b) The maximum speed of the block is just when it
leaves the spring (point C)
Using conservation of mechanical energy:
𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐,𝐴 = 𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐,𝐶
𝐾𝐴 + 𝑈𝑠,𝐴 + 𝑈𝑔,𝐴 = 𝐾𝑐 + 𝑈𝑠,𝑐 + 𝑈𝑔,𝑐
1 1
0 + 𝑘 𝑥 2 + 0 = 𝑚𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 2
+0+0
2 2
1 2
1 2
𝑘 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 c) The maximum height depends only on
2 2
𝑘 𝑥 2 1600𝑁/𝑚 0.25𝑚 2 the mechanical energy of the block, thus
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 10 𝑚Τ𝑠 the block will reach the same vertical
𝑚 1𝑘𝑔 height regardless the angle of the incline.
This is clear in the figure below.
8-65) A particle can slide along a track with elevated ends and a flat central part, as
shown in the below figure. The flat part has length L =40 cm. The curved portions of
the track are frictionless, but for the flat part the coefficient of kinetic friction is
𝜇k =0.20.The particle is released from rest at point A, which is at height h= L/2. How far
from the left edge of the flat part does the particle finally stop?
Isolated system with friction
Assuming that the block will stop at point B, which is
at distance 𝑥 from the left end.
The block may pass the flat part many times before it
stops. Let’s assume that the block will pass the total
flat area 𝑁 times
∆𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐 + ∆𝐸𝑡ℎ = 0
∆𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐 = −∆𝐸𝑡ℎ
∆𝑈𝑔 + ∆𝐾 = −𝑁 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝐿
𝑈𝑔,𝐵 − 𝑈𝑔,𝐴 + 𝐾𝐵 − 𝐾𝐴 = −𝑁 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝐿
0 − 𝑈𝑔,𝐴 + 0 − 0 = −𝑁 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝐿
−𝑈𝑔,𝐴 = −𝑁 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝐿
𝐿 This means that the block will pass the flat area
𝑚𝑔 = 𝑁 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝐿 two times and in the third time the block stops
2 in the middle of the flat area, thus
1
= 𝑁𝜇𝑘
2 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟎 𝒄𝒎
0.5 0.5
𝑁= = = 2.5
𝜇𝑘 0.2
8-62) In the below figure, a block slides along a path
that is without friction until the block reaches the section
of length L = 0.65 m, which begins at height h = 2.0 m
on a ramp of angle 𝜃 = 30° . In that section, the
coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.40. The block passes
through point A with a speed of 8.0 m/s. If the block can
reach point B (where the friction ends), what is its speed
there, and if it cannot, what is its greatest height above
A?
By using the conservation of a mechanical energy, (A and C)
1 2
1
𝑀 𝑣𝐴 = 𝑀 𝑣𝐶2 + 𝑀𝑔ℎ
2 2
1 2
1 2
𝐾𝐶 = 𝑀 𝑣𝐶 = 𝑀 𝑣𝐴 − 𝑔ℎ = 𝑀 0.5 8 𝑚Τ𝑠 2 − 9.8 𝑚Τ𝑠 2 2𝑚 = 12.4 𝑀
2 2
Recall, 𝐹𝑁 = 𝑀𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 when the block on the ramp.
If 𝑑 < 𝐿 → The block does not reach point B and all its kinetic energy will turn entirely
into thermal and potential energy.
𝐾𝐶 = 𝑀𝑔𝑦 + 𝑓𝑘 𝑑 → 12.4 𝑀 = 𝑀𝑔𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 𝜇𝑘 𝑀𝑔𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
12.4
𝑑= = 1.49 𝑚 > 𝐿
𝑔 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 𝜇𝑘 𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
So the block will reach point B: (d replaced by L)
𝐾𝐶 = 𝑚𝑔𝑦 + 𝑓𝑘 𝑑 + 𝐾𝐵 → 12.4 𝑀 = 𝑀𝑔𝐿 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 𝜇𝑘 𝑀𝑔𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝐾𝐵
1
𝐾𝐵 = 12.4 𝑀 − 𝑀𝑔𝐿 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑀𝑔𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑀𝑣𝐵2
2
𝑣𝐵 = −2𝑔𝐿 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 𝜇𝑘 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 2(12.4) = 3.74 𝑚/𝑠