Definition of work

Constant force u cos Fs s F W = =

Varying force
} } }
= = = ds F ds e F s d F W
t
u cos

1-D
}
= dx x F W ) (
Understanding of line integral

}

A + A = A ~ = y F x F s F s d F W
y x

Evaluation of line integral
Use one parameter to parametrize the curve and recast the line integral in the form of single variable
integral over the parameter.
Example 1
If an object of mass m goes from ) , (
1 1
y x to ) , (
2 2
y x (x is the horizontal coordinate and y is the vertical
coordinate) along some path, prove the work done by gravity is ) (
2 1
y y mg W = , regardless of what
the specific path it takes.
Exercise 1
On a plane some kind of force acts on a moving body and it is a function of the position of the body
j ky i kx F

= . Now calculate the work done by the force when the body moves from ) 0 , 0 ( to ) , ( l l
along
(a) the straight line between these two points,
(b) the quarter circle (centered at ) , 0 ( l ) connecting these two points.

Work energy theorem
Work energy theorem for single particle
1 2
K K W =
}
= s d F W

2
2
1
mv K =
A formal proof
} } } } }
= = = = = = =
1 2
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
)
2
1
( ) (
2
1
K K mv mv mv d v v
dt
d
m dt v
dt
v d
m s d a m s d F W

Note work energy theorem is a direct consequence of Newtons laws of motion and its less powerful
than Newtons laws, but its more convenient for use in some circumstances.
Exercise 2
A body with mass m slides down a hanging circular ramp from rest and then falls to the ground.
Calculate its velocity when it hits the ground.
(a)




(b)




Work energy theorem for a system of many objects
1 2 int
K K W W W
ext
= + =
If internal force do no work, they we simply have
1 2
K K W
ext
= . This usually happens when there is
no relative motion between different parts of the system.
Exercise 3
Textbook page 236 problem 7.55
Exercise 4
A plank of mass kg 1 is placed on a frictionless horizontal plane. A box of mass kg 2 is placed on the
plank. The friction coefficients, both static and kinetic, are 0.5 between the box and the plank. Assume
the plank is long enough such that the box never falls off the plank. Now we drag the plank horizontally
with force F .
(a) What is the minimum F such that the box can slide relative to the plank?
(b) If we apply the force N F 20 = for s 1 , compute the work done by
(i) the dragging force
(ii) the friction force that the plank exerts on the box
R
R
R
R
(iii) the friction force that the box exerts on the plank
and the final kinetic energy of the system, the box and the plank as a whole. Verify work-energy
theorem for the whole system. Do we need to include the work done by internal forces, that is, friction
forces between the box and the plank?

Potential energy and energy conservation
To apply work energy theorem, we have to calculate the work done by forces which is not always easy.
It turns out some force has an interesting property, the work done by it only depends on the initial and
final position (or more generally, configuration) of the system.
2 1
U U W
c
= . We call U the potential
energy pertaining to the force and its a function of the position (or configuration) of the system. We call
the force a conservative force if it has such a property. Note only the change of potential energy is
relevant in a physics process, so we set arbitrary zero point (or configuration) for the potential energy.
1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2
E E W K K U U W K K W W K K W
other other other c
= = + = + =
Here U K E + = is called total mechanical energy. So we see if non-conservative forces do not exist or
do not do work, the total mechanical energy is conserved.
It is further claimed the work done by non-conservative forces reflects the change in internal energy
(though we have not defined internal energy yet), then we conclude with energy conservation theorem.
Example 2
Redo exercise 3 using conservation of total mechanical energy.
Exercise 5
Textbook page 238 problem 7.75
Redo this problem if we assume the table is a normal table and the kinetic friction coefficient between
the table and the block is 0.2.
Exercise 6
Is the force in exercise 1 a conservative force? Can you derive the corresponding potential energy?