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Kinetic Energy and Energy Conservation: Physics 1425 Lecture 13
Kinetic Energy and Energy Conservation: Physics 1425 Lecture 13
Kinetic Energy and Energy Conservation: Physics 1425 Lecture 13
∫
W == − ∫ =
1 2
dW mvdv 2 mv0
0 v0
Where Did the Weight’s Energy Come From?
• By an exactly similar
Extension x
argument to that for
gravity, we can show
1
2 mv + kx =
2 1
2 E, 2
U ( rB ) − U ( rA ) =∫ F ⋅ dr
rA
Potential Energy Determines Force
• If we know the potential energy U ( r ) in a
complicated gravitational field, how can we
find the gravitational force on a mass m at r ?
• Take a very short path going in the x-direction:
r +∆x
U ( r + ∆x ) − U ( r )= ∫ F ⋅ dr= Fx ∆x
r
• We must apply a force Fx to move this small
distance, so the opposing gravitational force is
given by FG x = −∂U ( r ) / ∂x .
More on Potential Energy and Force