Chap.

4: Work and Energy

Rishikesh Vaidya
Theoretical Particle Physics
Office: 3265
rishidilip@gmail.com
Physics Group, B I T S Pilani

September 4, 2010
Outline

1 Work Energy Theorem

2 Potential Energy

3 Non Conservative Force

4 Conservation Laws and Particle Collisions

A Small Story and a Lesson

A worried father of a BITSian who was not

doing well, asked two of his son’s friends
to keep an eye on him.
Friend A (from Humanities) kept
Detailed record of his expenditure
His interactions, clubs, department
activities
His Attendance
Affluence of Inkahol
A Small Story and a Lesson

A worried father of a BITSian who was not

doing well, asked two of his son’s friends
to keep an eye on him.
Friend B (from Physics)
Didn’t bother much about the details like
friend A and yet at the end of the
semester gave a better explanation of his
friend’s CGPA.
A Small Story and a Lesson

Two complementary approaches to

mechanics
Take the bull by the horn: The
dynamical methods of Chap.2
Tame the Bull: Exploit conservation
laws as in Chap. 3 and 4
The Fundamental Problem of Mechanics
Given all forces, solve
~
F = m~a
to find ~r(t).
Problem!
What we know is F(x) and not F(t).
Solve half the problem!
d~v
m =~
F(~r)
dt
Equation of Motion in One Dimension

d2x dv
m = F(x) or m = F(x)
dt2 dt
Integrate with respect to x
Z xb Z xb
dv
m dx = F(x)dx
xa dt xa
Change variable from x to t using
differentials:  
dx
dx = dt = vdt
dt
Equation of Motion in One Dimension

d2x dv
m = F(x) or m = F(x)
dt2 dt
Integrate with respect to x
Z xb Z tb
dv dv
m dx = m vdt
xa dt t dt
Z atb   
d 1 2 1 2ta
=m v dt = mv 
ta dt 2 2 tb
1 1
= mvb2 − mva2
2 2
Equation of Motion in One Dimension

d2x dv
m = F(x) or m = F(x)
dt2 dt

Work-Energy Theorem:
Z xb
1 2 1 2
mvb − mva = F(x)dx
2 2 xa
Equation of Motion in One Dimension

d2x dv
m = F(x) or m = F(x)
dt2 dt

Work-Energy Theorem: Motion in 3-D

Z b
1 1 ~
mvb2 − mva2 = F · d~r
2 2 a
How Useful is Work-Energy Theorem
Rb
Evaluation of a ~ F · d~r is tentamount to
knowing the trajectory beforehand !
Two cases where Work-Energy
Theorem is useful.
◮Conservative Forces: R b For many
interesting forces a ~ F · d~r depends
only on end-points !
◮Constrained Motion: External
Constraints pre-determine the
trajectory.
How Useful is Work-Energy Theorem

Regardless of whether forces are

conservative or not the Work-
Energy theorem is always true
Prob. 4.2 A Block of mass M slides
along a horizontal table with speed v0. At
x = 0 it hits a spring with spring constant
k and begins to experience a friction force.
The coefficient of friction is variable and is
given by µ = bx, where b is constant. Find
the loss in mechanical energy when the
block has first come momentarily to rest.
Prob. 4.2
 Example 4.6 A pendulum consists of a
light rigid rod of length l, pivoted at one
end and with mass attached at the other
end. The pendulum is released from rest
at an angle φ0. What is the velocity of m
when the rod is at angle φ.
Example 4.6
 Prob.4.5 Mass m whirls on a frictionless
table, held to circular motion by a string
which passes through a hole in the table.
The string is slowly pulled through the
hole so that the radius of the circle
changes from „l1 to „l2. Show that the work
done in pulling the string equals the
increase in kinetic energy of the mass.
 Prob.4.5 Mass m whirls on a frictionless
table, held to circular motion by a string
which passes through a hole in the table.
The string is slowly pulled through the
hole so that the radius of the circle
changes from „l1 to „l2. Show that the work
done in pulling the string equals the
increase in kinetic energy of the mass.
The fundamental mystery here is ... how can
you pull radially and still end up changing the
angular velocity of the mass.
Solution 4.5 For cicular motion:
v12
Fr = m =m „l1 ω12
„l1

If Fr is increased, m will move to smaller r:

v2(r)
Fr (r) = m = mrω 2(r)
r
Evaluate:
Z „l 2 Z „l2
W=− Fr (r)dr = − mrω 2(r)dr
„l1 „l1
 ~a = (r̈ − rθ̇ 2)r̂ + (rθ̈ + 2ṙθ̇) θ̂
| {z }
=0

rω̇ + 2ṙω = 0 [θ̈ = ω̇]

1 dω 1 dr
= −2
ω dt
Z ω(r) rZdt
dω r dr 2 ω1
= −2 ⇒ ω(r) = „l
1 2
ω1 ω „l1 r r

Z „l2
Z „l2

W=− Fr (r)dr = − mrω 2 (r)dr

„l1 „l1
  
Z „l2
4 dr 1 4 1 1
W = −m„l1ω12 = m„l1ω12  2
− 2

„l1 r3 2 „l „l
  2 1
4
2
1 1 ω1
„l 2
= m 2
− „l1ω12
2 „l
2

 
1 h
2 2
i 2 2
W = m („l2 ω2 ) − („l1 ω1 ) ω2 „l2 = ω1 „l1
2
= K2 − K1
 Prob. 4.7 A ring of mass M, hangs from a
thread, and two beads of mass m slide on
it without friction. The beads are released
simultaneously from the top of the ring
and slide down opposite side. Show that
the ring will start to rise if m > 3M/2, and
find the angle at which this occurs.
Forces are different for cosθ > 2/3 and
cos θ < 2/3
Forces are different for cosθ > 2/3 and
cos θ < 2/3
cos θ, N and T vs. θ (m = 2M)
N and T vs. θ: Magnified view
2N cos θ vs. θ
Accelaration of the ring vs. θ
 Prob. 4.10
A block of mass M on a horizontal
frictionless table is connected to a spring
(spring constant k). The block is set in
motion so that it oscillates about its
equilibrium position with a certain
amplitude pA0. The period of motion is
T0 = 2π M/k.
 Prob. 4.10
(a) A lump of sticky putty of mass m is
dropped onto the block. the putty
sticks without bouncing. The putty hits
M at the instant when the velocity of
M is zero. Find
1 The new period
2 The new amplitude
3 The change in mechanical energy of the
system
(b) Repeat part a, assuming that the sticky
putty hits M at the instant when M has
its maximum velocity.
Potential Energy

For a conservative Force Field:

Z ~rb
~
F · d~r = func. of (~rb) − func. of (~ra)
~ra
Wba = −U(~rb) + U(~ra)
Wba = Kb − Ka [Work − energyTh.]
Wba = −Ub + Ua = Kb − Ka

Ua + Ka = Ub + Kb = E
What Does Potential Energy Tell us About Force?

Z xb
Ub − Ua = − F(x)dx
xa
U(x + ∆x) − U(x) = ∆U
Z x+∆x
∆U = − F(x)dx
x
∆U ≈ −F(x)(x + ∆x − x) = −F(x)∆x
∆U lim ∆x→0
F(x) ≈ − or F(x) = − dU
dx
∆x
Potential Energy Determins Stability of a System

Harmonic Oscillator: U = kx2/2

Potential Energy Determins Stability of a System

Simple Pendulum:
dU
U(θ) = mg„l(1 − cos θ) and dθ
= mg„l sin θ
Potential Energy Determins Stability of a System

Simple Pendulum:
dU
U(θ) = mg„l(1 − cos θ) and dθ
= mg„l sin θ
Potential Energy Determins Stability of a System

General Stability Criteria:

Potential Energy Determins Stability of a System

General Stability Criteria:

Potential Energy Determins Stability of a System

General Stability Criteria:

Rock me Spin me yet I Stand Tall:
The Amazingly Stable Teeter-Toy
Rock me Spin me yet I Stand Tall:
The Amazingly Stable Teeter-Toy
Rock me Spin me yet I Stand Tall:
The Amazingly Stable Teeter-Toy
Rock me Spin me yet I Stand Tall:
The Amazingly Stable Teeter-Toy
A Sports Car

Stability requires low center of mass and

hence the peculiar design of a sports car.
Non-Conservative Forces

~F=~ Fc + ~ Fnc
Z b
total
Wba = ~
F · d~r
Za b Z b
total
Wba = ~
Fc · d~r + ~
Fnc · d~r
a a
nc
Kb − Ka = −Ub + Ua + Wba
nc
Kb + Ub − (Ka + Ua) = Wba
nc
Eb − Ea = Wba
Power: Time rate of doing Work

dW d~r
P= =~
F· =~
F · ~v
dt dt
Units:

[S.I.] 1 W = 1J/s [CGS]1 erg/s = 10−7 W

[English] 1 hp = 550 lb ft/s ≈ 746W
Power: Time rate of doing Work

Typical Power Consumption

Man running upstairs: 1/2 to 1 hp for
30 s
A husky man can do work over a period
of 8 hours only at a rate of
0.2 hp ≈ 1000 Kcal
Per person energy use: India (0.7 kW),
Germany (6 kW), USA (11.4 kW)
Prob. 4.18 A 160 lb man leaps into the
air from a crouching position. His center
of gravity rises 1.5 ft before he leaves the
ground, and it then rises 3 ft to the top of
his leap. What power does he develop
assuming that he pushes the ground with
constant force?
Sol.4.18

P = W/T (W = work done by N)

W = N · 1.5 (c.g. rises by 1.5ft)
160
N = mg + ma or N = 160 + a
32
v2 h p √ √ i
a= = 64 ′
v = 2gs = 2 · 32 · 3 = 8 3
2s √
N = 480 lb W = 720 lb.ft T = v/a = 3/8

P = W/T = 3325lb.ft/s ≈ 6hp

Prob. 4.19

In the preceeding problem take

F = F0 cos ωt where F0 is the peak force,
and the contact with ground ends at
ωt = π/2. Find the peak power that the
man develops during the jump.
Sol.4.19

P(t) = N(t)v(t) [N(t) = −F(t)]

N(t) − mg = ma(t)
Z v(t) Z t
m dv = (F0 cos ωt − mg) dt
0 0
F0
v(t) = sin ωt − gt [F0, ω?]
mω
F0 1 2
x(t) = 2
(1 − cos ωt) − gt
mω 2
Sol.4.19

Boundary conditions:
√ F0 gπ
v(t = π/2ω) = 8 3 = −
mω 2ω
F0 gπ 2
x(t = π/2ω) = 1.5 ft = −
mω 2 8ω 2
Sol.4.19

−1 π
ω = 9.96s F0 = 832 lb t = = 0.16s
2ω

P(t) = F(t)v(t)
 
F0
F0 sin 2ωt − 2mgωt cos ωt
2mω | {z } | {z }
1 2

A reasonable approximation: F0 >> mg

then 1st >> 2nd
Sol.4.19

F20
P(t) ≈ sin 2ωt
2mω
dP
For Pmax. : =0
dt
dP F20
= cos 2ωt = 0
dt m
 
F20 π F20
Pmax. = P|t= π = sin 2ω =
4ω 2mω 4ω 2mω
Sol.4.19

Check:

 
2
d P  −F20 

 = 2ω sin 2ωt <0
dt2  π m  π
t= 4ω t= 4ω
Sol.4.19
Sol.4.19
Prob. 4.20 A uniform rope of
mass λ per unit length is
coiled on a smooth horizontal
table. One end is pulled
straight up with constant
speed v0. (a) Find the force
exerted on the end of the rope as a
function of height y. (b) Compare
the power delivered to the rope
with the rate of change of the
rope’s total mechanical energy.
Sol.4.20
dv dM
Fext. = M − vrel.
dt dt
dM
F − Mg = v0 [v = v0 vrel. = −v0 ]
dt
F = λyg + λv02
P = Fv0 = λygv0 + λv03
1 y 1 y2
E= mv02 + mg = λyv02 + λg
2 2 2 2
dE 1
= λv03 + λyv0 g
dt 2
dE 1
dt
is 2 λv03 short of P because that is the amount
dissipated as heat.
What do collisions teach us?
~
F = m~a is a double-edge sword
Collisions studies gave most profound
knowledge about fundamental Physics
Constraints from energy and
momentum conservation severe enough
to extract vital information about
scattering
LHC@CERN Geneva
Fermilab@Illinois USA
Classical Collisions

A+B→C+D
Mass is conserved:
mA + mB → mC + mD
Momentum is conserved:
pA + pB = pC + pD
K.E. may or may not be conserved
Classical Collisions

A+B→C+D

Types of Collisions
sticky: K.E. decreases
KA + KB > KC + KD
Explosive: K.E. increases
KA + KB < KC + KD
Elastic: K.E. is conserved
KA + KB = KC + KD
Prob. 4.23 A small ball of
mass m is placed on top of the
a “superball” of mass M, and
the two balls are dropped to
the floor from height h.How
high does the small ball rise
after the collision? Assume
that the collision is perfecly
elastic, and that m << M.
Sol. 4.23 Let v1 and v2 be the initial
velocities of m and M before collision and
v1′ and v2′ , after collision. In a two body
one dimensional collision:
(m − M)v1 + 2Mv2
v1′ =
m+M
(M − m)v2 + 2mv1
v2′ =
m+M
√ √
Here: v1 = − 2gh, v2 = 2gh, and
M >> m
Sol. 4.23
√
3M · 2gh p
v1′ = = 3 2gh
M
If m rises to height h′ after collision:
1 ′
m1v12 = m1gh′
2
′
v12
h′ = = 9h
2g
 Problem 4.9 A “superball” of mass m bounces
back and forth between two surfaces with speed v0 .
Gravity is neglected and collisions are perfectly
elastic.
(a) Find the average force F on each wall.
(b) If one surface is moving uniformly toward the
other with speed V << v0 , the bounce rate will
increase due to shorter distance between
collisions, and because the ball’s speed increases
when it bounces from the moving surface. Find
the F in terms of separation of surfaces, x.
(c) Show that work needed to push the surface
from l to x equals gain in kinetic energy of the
ball.
Problem 4.29
Sol. 4.29
(a) Momentum transfer to wall in 1
bounce: m(2v0)
No. of bounce per unit time: v0/2„l

v0 mv02
F = 2mv0 =
2„l „l
mv(x)2
(b) F(x) = x
dv(x)
Integrate a(x) = dt
to find v(x).
Sol. 4.29
(b) ∆v after each bounce ∆v = 2V
(Sling-shot effect)
This change happens in time ∆t = 2x/v

dv Vv
=
Z dt Zx t Z
v dv′ Vdt x dx′
= =−
v0 v′ 0 x „l x′
2
v0„l mv(x)2 m„l v02
v(x) = ⇒F= =
x x x3
Sol. 4.29
(c) Work done in moving the surface:
Z Z
x
′ ′
2 x dx′
W=− F(x ) dx = −m„l v02
„l „l x′3
2 " # 2
2
m„l v0 1 1 m„l v02 1 2
= 2
− 2
= 2
− mv0
2 x „l
2x 2
1 1
= mv(x)2 − mv02
2 2
= Change in K.E. of ball
Sling-Shot (Gravity-Assist) and NASA’s Cassini
Collisions and Center of Mass Coordinates
How does it help?
Total momentum in C-system is zero
Initial and final velocities lie in the
same plane
Each particle is scattered through the
same angle θ in the plane of scattering.
For elastic collisions, the speed of each
particle is same before & after the
collision
Collisions and Center of Mass Coordinates
m1 & m2 having velocity
v1 & v2 .
m1 v1 + m2 v2
V=
m1 + m2
Collisions and Center of Mass Coordinates

v1c = v1 − V
m2
= (v1 − v2 )
m1 + m2
v2c = v2 − V
m1
=− (v1 − v2 )
m1 + m2
Collisions and Center of Mass Coordinates
The momenta in
C-system:

p1c = m1 v1c
m1 m2
= (v1 − v2 )
m1 + m2
= µv
p2c = −µv
0 = p1c + p2c
C-System Plane of Scattering

Initial velocities in L &

m1 and m2 striking with C-system.
v1 & v2 .
C-System Plane of Scattering

m1 and m2 striking with

v1 & v2 . Final velocities in L &
C-system (The plane in
general is different)
C-System Plane of Scattering

For elastic scattering,

C-system plane of ′
v1c = v1c ′
and v2c = v2c .
scattering. Velocity vectors simple
rotate.
If m2 is at rest

m1
V= v1
m1 + m2
v1c = v1 − V
m2
= v1
m1 + m2
v2c = −V
m1
=− v1
m1 + m2
If m2 is at rest

m1
V= v1
m1 + m2
v1c = v1 − V
m2
= v1
m1 + m2
v2c = −V
m1
=− v1
m1 + m2
Limitations on Lab scattering angle

λ=m 1
m2
= vV < 1
1c
θ : 0 → π θ1 : 0 → π
Limitations on Lab scattering angle

λ=m 1
m2
= vV = 1
1c
θ : 0 → π θ1 : 0 → π/2
Limitations on Lab scattering angle

λ=m 1
m2
= vV > 1
1c
θ : 0 → π θ1 : 0 → θ1max.
Look at solved example 4.19 to understand
limitations on laboratory scattering angle.
It will also help you solve problem 4.30