Summary of Unit Lecture 1

• Work done by a force, W W = ∫ F .dl

• Relationship between work, W, and 1 1
Wtot = ∆K = mv 2f − mvi2
kinetic energy, K 2 2

dW
• Power, P P= = F .v
dt
• Conservative Forces – no work done
irrespective of path f

• Potential Energy, U (U f − U i ) = −W = − ∫ F .d l
1 2
• Example of the potential energy of a U spring = kx
i

spring, Uspring 2
• Conservation of Mechanical Energy, E E f = Ei
• Energy in nonconservative forces and
thermal energy
• Conservation of Energy

111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester

 2.10 Centre of Mass

To determine the centre of mass of an object it is helpful to think of

the object as a system of particles. Consider a system of particles
which consists of 2 particles, with masses m1 and m2 located on the x
axis at positions x1 and x2. m m

x1
1
.
cm 2

x2
+x

The centre of mass is defined as Mxcm = m1 x1 + m2 x2

where M = m1 + m2

If we define x1 = 0 and x2 = d, Mxcm = m1 (0 ) + m2 d

where d is the distance between
the particles, the centre of mass is xcm =
m2
d=
m2
d
given by xcm M m1 + m2

111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester

 2.11 Conservation of Linear Momentum

The linear momentum of a particle of mass m and velocity v is

p = mv

For a system of particles P = ∑ pi = ∑ mi vi

i i

From Newton’s second Law dp d (mv )

F= =
dt dt

if m is constant then F = ma

where a is the acceleration of the particle

111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester

 2.11 Conservation of Linear Momentum
For a system of particles P = ∑ pi = ∑ mi vi
i i

P = ∑ mi vi = M vcm
But the right hand side i

equals the total mass M dP

= M a cm = F netext
multiplied by the v of the dt
centre of mass, which when
differentiated

Law of Conservation of Momentum:

If the net external force exerted on a system of particles is zero
then the total momentum of the system is conserved.(i.e. is
constant in time)

111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester

 2.12 Collisions
We can think of many types of event which are a “collision” – a
crashing into another car, a tennis racquet hitting tennis ball, the
Rosetta spacecraft colliding with Comet 67P/Churyumov-
Gerasimenko .
Collisions are events where two or more objects approach and
interact strongly for a very short time.
During the collision the external forces on the objects are usually
much weaker than the forces of interaction between the two
objects. This means we can treat colliding objects as an isolated
system for the duration of the collision
During the collision the only significant forces are internal
interaction forces and consequently linear momentum is
conserved.
111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester
 2.12 Collisions (continued)

Momentum is always conserved P before = P after

   
 ∑ mi vi  =  ∑ mi vi 
 i  before  i  after

P is a vector, so components are also conserved

   
 ∑ mi v xi  =  ∑ mi v xi 
 i before  i  after

And similarly for y and z components.

True in both elastic and non-elastic collisions

111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester

 2.12 Collisions (continued again)

Elastic Collisions - (no energy lost).

(Kinetic) Energy is conserved.

 1 2  1 
 ∑ mi vi  =  ∑ mi vi2 
 i 2 before  i 2  after

(K is not a vector, so no components)

Inelastic Collision – Energy is not conserved, only momentum

111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester

 2.13 (Head-On) Elastic Collision
Before

m1; v1i m2; v2i

After
m1; v1f m2; v2f
(remember v’s are vectors!)
Momentum Conservation: (use components if not head-on)
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
( )
m1 v1i − v1 f = m2 (v2 f − v2i )
m (v
1 1f − v1i ) = m (v
2 2i − v2 f ) A

111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester

 2.13 (Head-On) Elastic Collision (contd)
Energy Conservation gives:
1 1 1 1
m1v1i +
2
m2 v2i =
2
m1v1 f +
2
m2 v22 f
2 2 2 2
m1v12i + m2 v22i = m1v12f + m2 v22 f
(
m2 v22 f − v22i ) = m (v 1
2
1i − v12f )
Use difference of squares
( )( ) (
m2 v2 f − v2i v2i + v2 f = m1 v1i − v1 f v1i + v1 f )( )
Substitute in from Eqn A ( m1 (v1 f − v1i ) = m2 (v2i − v2 f ) A )

(v 2i + v2 f ) = (v 1i + v1 f  B )
𝑣1𝑖 − 𝑣2𝑖 = 𝑣2𝑓 - 𝑣1𝑓
111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester
v2 i = 0 Special Cases- NEWTON’S CRADLE
From A v2 f =
m1
m2
(
v1i − v1 f )
From B (
v2 f = v1i + v1 f )
⇒ v1i + v1 f =
m1
m2
v1i − v1 f( )
m2 v1i + m2 v1 f = m1v1i − m1v1 f ( )
(m2 − m1 )v1i = −(m1 + m2 )v1 f

v1 f =
(m1 − m2 ) v
(m1 + m2 ) 1 i

Cases:
m1 = m2 ⇒ v1 f = 0; v2 f = v1i
m2 >> m1 ⇒ v1 f ≈ −v1i (bounces back)
m1 >> m2 ⇒ v1 f ≈ v1i ; v2 f ≈ 2v1i

111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester

 Special Cases- NEWTON’S CRADLE

• Started by considering the issue of the centre of mass by

demonstrating how this would work for two particles. Note that
the extension to more than three particles, plus more than one
dimension follows the same rules.
• Quoted the final statement for the centre of mass of a body
where the mass is distributed – not necessarily evenly
• Addressed Linear Momentum, p p = mv
• Looked at the conservation of Linear Momentum and how this
comes about from Newton’s second law of motion
• Introduced collisions and noted that there are two types of
collision
• Elastic collisions – p and K are conserved
• Inelastic collisions, p is conserved but K is not
• Example of collisions is Newton’s cradle

111 Unit 2 Concepts and Definitions Prof Mark Lester