SAMPLE PROBLEMS: ENERGY OF A SYSTEM

A. Work Done by a Constant Force

1. In 1990, Walter Arfeuille of Belgium lifted a 281.5 kg object through a

distance of 17.1 cm using only his teeth. (a) How much work was done on
the object by Arfeuille in this lift, assuming the object was lifted at constant
speed. (b) What total force was exerted on Arfeuille’s teeth during the lift.
F
Solution:

a) W = work done on object through lifting

W =F ∆ rCosθ=( 281.5 × 9.81 )( 0.171 ) cos ( 0 )=472.22 Joules ans .
Fg

b) F = total force exerted on Arfeuille’s teeth ; Constant speed, a = 0

Σ F = ma = 0 : F – Fg = 0 : F = Fg = (281.5)(9.81) = 2761.52 N ans.

2. Spiderman, whose mass is 80.0 kg, is dangling on the free end of a 12.0 m
long rope, the other end of which is fixed to a tree limb above. By
repeatedly bending at the waist, he is able to get the rope in motion,
eventually getting it to swing enough that he can reach a ledge when the
rope makes a 60.00 angle with the vertical. How much work was done by
the gravitational force on Spiderman in this maneuver?

Solution:
0
ϕ=60
dϕ

Δr Δr

Fg Fg

W =F ∆ rCosθ=(80 ×9.81)¿12Co600)Cos 1800= - 4708.8 N-m or J ans.

Or
 W =F ∆ rCosθ
where
∆ r =dr =rd ∅ ; F = Fg = mg ;
θ=90 + ∅ then Cos θ=cos ( 90+ ∅ )=−sin ∅
0

0
∅f 60

W = ∫ mgrd ∅ Cosθ=(80)(9.81)(12) ∫ −sin ∅ d ∅

∅i 0
W =9417.6 ¿

B. The Scalar Product of Two Vectors

3. Vector ⃗A has a magnitude of 5.00 units, and vector ⃗B has a magnitude of

9.00 units. The two vectors make an angle of 50.0 0 with each other. Find
⃗
A∙⃗B.

Solution:

⃗
A∙⃗
0
B =ABCosθ= (5.00 )( 9.00 ) cos 50.0 =28.93 sq . units ans .

4. Using the definition of the scalar product, find the angles between (a)
⃗
A=3i−2 j and ⃗ B=4 i−4 j , (b) ⃗
A=−2i+ 4 j and ⃗ B=3 i−4 j+2 k , and (c)
⃗
A=i−2 j+2 k and ⃗
B=3 j+ 4 k .

A∙B ⃗ ⃗
Solution: Cosθ=
AB

⃗
A∙⃗
B =A x Bx + A y B y + A z B z
A=√ A x + A y + A z ; B=√ Bx + B y + B z
2 2 2 2 2 2

a) ⃗A ∙ ⃗B =12+8=20
A = √ 13 ; B = 4 √2
⃗
A ∙⃗ B 20
θ=cos−1 =cos−1 =11.310 ans .
AB √ 13 ∙ 4 √ 2
b) ⃗
A ∙ ⃗
B =−6+ ( −16 ) +0=−22
A = 2 √5 ; B = √ 29
 ⃗
A ∙⃗
B −22
θ=cos−1 =cos−1 =1560 ans .
AB 2 √5 ∙ √ 29

c) ⃗A ∙ ⃗B =0+ (−6 )+ 8=2

A=3 ; B=5
⃗
A ∙⃗
B 2
θ=cos−1 =cos−1 =82.340 ans .
AB 3 ∙5