Kinetics of Particles: Work and Energy

Work of a Force
Force F does work on a particle only
when the particle undergoes a
displacement in the direction of the force.
F

U=Fs
F

S
U = (F cos q)  s
 Work of a Force
The Work of a Force
 90o U is positive

q  90o U is zero
  90o U is negative
F

The unit of the work:

Joule : 1 joule of work is done when a force of 1 Newton moves
1 meter along its line of action.
1 J = 1 N m
English Unit ftlb
Work of a Constant Force Moving
Along a Straight Line
Work of a Variable Force

s2
U1 2   F cos θ ds
s1
Work of a Weight
Work of a Spring Force
EXAMPLE # 1
The 10-kg block shown rests on the smooth incline.
If the spring is originally stretched 0.5 m, determine
the total work done by all the forces acting on the
block when a horizontal force P = 400 N pushes the
block up the plane s = 2 m.
EXAMPLE # 2
The 8-kg ball is connected with a spring as shown.
Initially the spring is compresses by 0.2 m. Then
under the applied force F, the spring is stretched
to 0.6 m. Determine the total work done to the
ball during this process.

Applied Force F.
 Work of Friction Caused by Sliding

1 2 1 2
mv  {Ps  μk Ns}  mv
2 2
IF Ps  μk Ns
S’

then v is maintained

To account for “internal energy” which

Generate heat; actual displacement
should be considered s’.

External work   k N s '

Internal work   k N ( s  s ' )
 Procedure for Analysis
• Work (Free-Body Diagram).
– Establish the inertial coordinate system and draw a free-body diagram
of the particle in order to account for all the forces that do work on
the particle as it moves along its path.

• Principle of Work and Energy.

– Apply the principle of work and energy, T1+ ∑Ul-2 = T2.
– The kinetic energy at the initial and final points is always positive,
since it involves the speed squared (T = 1/2 mv2).
– A force does work when it moves through a displacement in the
direction of the force.
 Procedure for Analysis
– Work is positive when the force component is in the same sense of as
its displacement, otherwise it is negative.

– Forces that are functions of displacement must be integrated to obtain

the work. Graphically, the work is equal to the area under the force-
displacement curve..

– The work of a weight is the product of the weight magnitude and the
vertical displacement, Uw = ± W y. It is positive when the weight
moves downwards.

– The work of a spring is of the form US = 1/2 ks2, where k is the spring
stiffness and s is the stretch or compression of the spring.
 y

x
EXAMPLE # 2
The platform P, shown in Fig. (a) has a
negligible mass and is tied down so that the
0.4-m is on the platform. If a 2-kg block is
placed on platform and released from rest
after the platform is pushed down 0.1-m,
Fig. (b), determine the maximum height h the
block rises in air, measured from the ground.