General Physics I // Ch.

7 Potential Energy

Suggested Problems // 7.2, 7.10, 7.26, 7.42, 7.56

All problems graded out of 10.

Problem 7.2

The problem is misleading; the principle is derived under Newtons laws assuming additional
conditions. [2 pts]

One first assumes Newtons laws [1 pt] to hold to derived the work-kinetic energy theorem [2 pt].

Then, we assume that the forces are conservative [1 pt], i.e. irrotational [1 pt] and nondissipative [1
pt].

Only then must the conservation of mechanical energy be satisfied, but the energies of different
forms need not be conserved. [2 pts]

Problem 7.10

The magnitude of the kinetic frictional opposing the blocks velocity is given by

= = [4 pts]

The work , required to move the block across paths (a) and (b) are given by

= . [0 pts],
= 2L [3 pts],
= 2L [3 pts].

Problem 7.26

By the work-kinetic energy theorem, gravitational potential energy is conserved as kinetic energy:

2
=0 [3 pts]
2

Since the particle is at rest on A, its speeds on B and C are given by,

= 2(0 ) = 19. 4ms 2 (3.8m ) [0 pts],

 = 19.6ms 2 (3.8m 2.6m) = 4.8ms 1 [2 pts],

= 19. 6ms 2 (3.8m 2.6m) = 6.9ms 1 [2 pts],

to 2 significant figures. [1 pt]

The right-hand turning point is when the particle reaches its height at A; the position is between
= 11m and = 11.5m. [2 pts]

Problem 7.42

The force is one dimensional, time-independent, and analytic; the force is conservative and work is
saved as potential energy. [2 pts]

The potential energy at each positions is given by

U = dx F = 0.215x 2 0.011 3 + 0.000215 4 [0 pts],

x 2 3 4
USI = dx (F 1000) = 0.215 0.011 + 0.000215 1000 [0 pts],
100 100 100

U(8cm) = 1.37038 J [4 pts],

U(16cm) = 5.45908 J [4 pts].

Problem 7.56

The speed of the block at its moment of flight is given by

= 2(1 2 ) [4 pts].

From Eq. 3.15, the horizontal range of a projectile starting and ending at the same height when
thrown at an angle of 45 is given by

s2
x= [4 pts].

Thus the horizontal range in terms of the two heights of the ramp is given by

x = 2(1 2 ) [2 pts].