Conservation of Energy

Objectives: After completing this

module, you should be able to:
• Define and give examples of conservative
and nonconservative forces.
• Define and apply the concept of
conservation of mechanical energy for
conservative forces.
• Define and apply the concept of
conservation of mechanical energy
accounting for friction losses.
 Potential Energy
Potential Energy is the ability to do work
by virtue of position or condition.
Example: A mass held a
m distance h above the earth.

h If released, the earth can

mg do work on the mass:
Work = mgh
Earth
Is this Positive!
work + or - ?
Gravitational Potential Energy
Gravitational Potential Energy U is equal to
the work that can be done BY gravity due to
height above a specified point.

U = mgh Gravitational P. E.

Example: What is the potential energy when

a 10 kg block is held 20 m above the street?

U = mgh = (10 kg)(9.8 m/s2)(20 m)

U = 1960 J
The Origin of Potential Energy
Potential energy is a property of the Earth-
body system. Neither has potential energy
without the other.

F Work done by
lifting force F
mg
h provides positive
potential energy,
mgh, for earth-
body system.

Only external forces can add or remove energy.

energy
 Conservative Forces
A conservative force is one that does
zero work during a round trip.
Weight is conservative.
F
Work done by earth
h on the way up is
mg
negative, - mgh
Work on return is
positive, +mgh
Net Work = - mgh + mgh = 0
 The Spring Force
The force exerted by a spring F
is also conservative. x
m
When stretched, the spring
does negative work, - ½kx2.
On release, the spring does
positive work, + ½kx2 x F
m
Net work = 0 (conservative)
 Independence of Path
Work done by conservative forces is
independent of the path.
C Force C
due to
gravity
mg
A B B
A
Because
Work (A only
C) =the vertical
Work (A Bcomponent
C) of
Why?
the weight does work against gravity.
 Nonconservative Forces
Work done by nonconservative forces
cannot be restored. Energy is lost and
cannot be regained. It is path-dependent!
B A B

m
f f
A

Friction forces are nonconservative forces.

Work of Conservative Forces
is Independent of Path:
For gravitational force:
B
(Work)AB= -(Work)BCA
C Zero net work

For friction force:

A
(Work)AB -(Work)BCA

The work done against friction is greater

for the longer path (BCD).
 Stored Potential Energy
Work done by a conservative force is stored in
the system as potential energy.

The potential energy is

m
equal to the work done in
x xo compressing the spring:
F(x) = kx to compress Displacement is x

Potential energy of 2
compressed spring:
U  Work  kx 1
2
 Conservation of Energy
(Conservative forces)
In the absence of friction, the sum of the
potential and kinetic energies is a constant,
provided no energy is added to system.
h v=0 At top: Uo = mgh; Ko = 0

y mg At y: Uo = mgy; Ko = ½mv2
v
At y=0: Uo = 0; Ko = ½mvf 2
0
E = U + K = Constant
vf
Constant Total Energy

for a Falling Body h K=0

TOP: E = U + K = mgh
y
At any y: E = mgh + ½mv2 v
Bottom: E = ½mv2
mgh = mgy + ½mv2 = ½mvf2 U=0
0
Total E is same at any point. vf
(Neglecting Air Friction)
Example 1: A 2-kg ball is released from
a height of 20 m. What is its velocity
when its height has decreased to 5 m?
20m v=0
Total Etop = Total E at 5 m

mgh = mgy + ½mv2

5m
2gh = 2gy + v 2
v
0
v = 2g(h - y) = 2(9.8)(20 - 5)
2

v= (2)(9.8)(15) v = 17.1 m/s

Example 2: A roller coaster boasts a
maximum height of 100 ft. What is the
speed when it reaches its lowest point?
Assume zero friction:
At top: U + K = mgh + 0
Bottom: U + K = 0 + ½mv2
Total energy is conserved
mgh = ½mv2 v = 2gh

v= (2)(32 ft/s2)(100 ft) v = 80 ft/s

 Conservation of Energy
in Absence of Friction Forces
The total energy is constant for a conservative
system, such as with gravity or a spring.

Begin: (U + K)o = End: (U + K)f

Height? mgho mghf Height?

Spring? ½kxo2 = ½kxf2 Spring?

Velocity? ½mvo2 ½mvf2 Velocity?

Example 3. Water at the bottom of a falls has
a velocity of 30 m/s after falling 35 m.
What is the water speed
at the top of the falls?
ho = 35 m; vf = 30 m/s2

First look at beginning point—top of falls.

Assume y = 0 at bottom for reference point.
Height? Yes (35 m) mgho
Spring? No ½kxo2
Velocity? Yes (vo) ½mvo2
Example 3 (Cont.) Water at the bottom of falls
has a velocity of 30 m/s after falling 35 m.
What is the water speed
at the top of the falls?
ho = 35 m; vf = 30 m/s2

Next choose END point at bottom of falls:

Height? No (0 m) mghf
Spring? No ½kxf2
Velocity? Yes (vf) ½mvf2
Example 3 (Cont.) Water at the bottom of falls
has a velocity of 30 m/s after falling 35 m.
ho = 35 m; vf = 30 m/s2
What is the water speed
at the top of the falls?

Total energy at top = Total energy at bottom

2 2
mgh  mv  0  mv
1
2 0
1
2 f
2
2 gh  v  v
0
2
f

v02  v 2f  2 gh  (25.8 m/s) 2  2(9.8 m/s 2 )(33.2 m)

v0  14.9 m /s2 2 vo = 3.86 m/s

Example 4. A bicycle with initial velocity 10
m/s coasts to a net height of 4 m. What is
the velocity at the top, neglecting friction?
vf = ? E(Top) = E(Bottom)
vo = 10 m/s Etop = mgh + ½mv2
4m
EBot = 0 + ½mvo2
2 2 2 2
1
2 mv  mgh  mv
f
1
2 0
1
2 v  v  gh
f
1
2 0

2 2 2 2
v  v  2 gh  (10 m/s)  2(9.8 m/s )(4 m)
f 0

v f  21.6 m 2 /s 2 vf = 4.65 m/s

 Example 5: How far up the 30o-incline
will the 2-kg block move after release?
The spring constant is 2000 N/m and it
is compressed by 8 cm.
End
mgho mghf Begin s
h
½kx o
2
= ½kxf
2
30o
½mvo2 ½mvf2

Conservation of Energy: ½kxo2 = mghf

kx02 (2000 N/m)(0.08m) 2
h  2
h = = 0.327 m
2mg 2(2 kg)(9.8 m/s )
 Example (Cont.): How far up the 30o-
incline will the 2-kg block move after
release? The spring constant is 2000
N/m and it is compressed by 8 cm.

Continued: End
Begin s
h = 0.327 m = 32.7 cm h
h 30o
sin 30o =
s
h 32.7 cm
s= = s = 65.3 cm
sin 30o Sin 30o
 Energy Conservation and
Nonconservative Forces.
Work against friction
f forces must be accounted
for. Energy is still
conserved, but not
reversible.

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

(U + K)o = (U + K)f + Losses

 Problem Solving Strategies
1. Read the problem; draw and label a sketch.
2. Determine the reference points for gravi-
tational and/or spring potential energies.
3. Select a beginning point and an ending
point and ask three questions at each point:
a. Do I have height? U = mgh

b. Do I have velocity? K = ½mv2

c. Do I have a spring? U = ½kx2
 Problem Solving (Continued)
4. Apply the rule for Conservation of Energy.
mgho mghf Work
against
½kxo2 = ½kxf2 + friction:
½mvo2 ½mvf2 fk x

5. Remember to use the absolute (+) value

of the work of friction. (Loss of energy)
Example 6: A mass m is connected to a cord
of length L and held horizontally as shown.
What will be the velocity at point B? (d = 12 m,
L = 20 m)
A
1. Draw & label.
L v
2. Begin A and end B. c B d
r
3. Reference U = 0.
0
(U + K)o =(U + K)f + loss
U=0
mgL + 0 = mg(2r) + ½mvc2 (Multiply by 2, simplify)

2gL - 4gr = vc2 Next find r from figure.

 Example (Cont.): A mass m is connected to a
cord of length L and held horizontally as
shown. What will be the velocity at point B?
(d = 12 m, L = 20 m)
A
2gL - 4gr = vc2
L v
c B d
r=L-d
r
r = 20 m - 12 m = 8 m
vc2 =2gL - 4gr = 2g(L - 2r) U=0
vc2 = 2(9.8 m/s2)[20 m - (2)(8 m)]

vc = 2(9.8 m/s2)(4 m) vc = 8.85 m/s

Example 7: A 2-kg mass m located 10 m above
the ground compresses a spring 6 cm. The
spring constant is 40,000 N/m and k = 0.4.
What is the speed when it reaches the bottom?
2 kg
Begin f n
s mg Cos 30o mg Sin 30o
h 30o

30o End mg

Conservation: mgh + ½kx2 = ½mv2 + fkx

(Work)f = (kn) x = (mg Cos 30o) x
Continued . . .
 Example (Cont.): A 2-kg mass m located 10 m
above the ground compresses a spring 6 cm.
The spring constant is 40,000 N/m and k = 0.4.
What is the speed when it reaches the bottom?
2 kg mgh + ½kx2 = ½mv2 + fkx
10 m
x x= = 20 m
h 10 m
Sin 30o
30o fkx = (mg Cos 30o) x
fkx = (0.4)(2 kg)(9.8 m/s2)(0.866)(20 m) = 136 J
mgh = (2 kg)(9.8 m/s2)(10 m) = 196 J
½kx2 = ½(40,000 N/m)(0.06 m)2 = 72.0 J
Example (Cont.): A 2-kg mass m located 10 m
above the ground compresses a spring 6 cm.
The spring constant is 40,000 N/m and k = 0.4.
What is the speed when it reaches the bottom?
2 kg mgh + ½kx2 = ½mv2 + fkx
x mgh = 196 J ½kx2 = 72.0 J
h 10 m

30o fkx = 136 J

½mv2 = mgh + ½kx2 - fkx

½(2 kg) v2 = 196 J + 72 J - 136 J = 132 J

v =11.4 m/s
 Summary:
Energy Gains or Losses:
Gravitational Potential Energy U = mgh

2
Spring Potential Energy U  kx
1
2

2
Kinetic Energy K  mv
1
2

Work Against Friction Work = fx

 Summary:
Conservation of Energy
The basic rule for conservation of energy:
mgho mghf Work
against
½kxo2 = ½kxf2 + friction:
½mvo2 ½mvf2 fk x

Remember to use the absolute (+) value of

the work of friction. (Loss of energy)