Physics I

Class 10

Potential Energy and

Kinetic Energy in
Spring Systems

Rev. 17-Feb-06 GB
10-1
 Two Common Potential Energy
Functions (Review)
G r a v ita tio n a l P o te n tia l E n e r g y
U g  m g (y  y 0)  m g h
(y 0 is o u r c h o ic e to m a k e th e p ro b le m e a s ie r)

S p r in g P o te n tia l E n e r g y
1
U s  2
k (x  x 0)2
( x 0 is th e e q u ilib riu m p o s itio n a n d k is th e s p r in g c o n s ta n t)

10-2
 Conservation of Energy (Review)

R e c a ll th e W o rk -K in e tic E n e rg y T h e o re m :
 K  W net

A n d fo r c o n s e rv a tiv e fo rc e s w e h a v e
W cons   U
If th e n o n -c o n s e r v a tiv e fo rc e s a re z e ro o r n e g lig ib le , th e n
W net  W cons

P u ttin g it to g e th e r,
 K   U or | K   U  0 |
A n o th e r w a y to s a y th is is th e to ta l e n e rg y , K + U , is c o n s e rv e d .

10-3
Flow of Energy in a Pendulum

10-4
Flow of Energy in a Spring System
Kinetic and Potential Energy
K=0
U = max
y = 10 cm
v=0

K = max K = max
v y = 0 cm v y = 0 cm
U=0 U=0

K=0
y = -10 cm

U = max v=0

10-5
Hooke’s Law for an Ideal Spring
Fspring (N)

+1

y (cm)
0 +10 +20

Fspring = –k (y–y0)
Problem of the Day #1:
Find k and y0 from the graph.

10-6
Net Force = Gravity + Spring
Shifts the Equilibrium Point
Fgrav

y (cm)

-10 10
Fnet

new equilibrium point

Fspring y (cm)
-10 10

y (cm)
-10 10

10-7
Potential Energy of Net Force
Fnet

y (cm)
-10 10

-1

U(y=0.1) = –W(0 to 0.1) = ?

Problem of the Day #2
Calculate U(0.1).

10-8
 Class #10
Take-Away Concepts

1. P o te n tia l E n e rg y d e fin e d fo r a c o n s e rv a tiv e fo rc e :

  A
U (A )    F dx
0
2. C o m b in e d P o te n tia l E n e rg y o f G ra v ity P lu s S p rin g :
U total  12 k ( y  y 0 ) 2 [ y 0 i s t h e n e w e q u i l i b r i u m p o s i t i o n . ]
3. C o n s e r v a tio n o f e n e rg y in th e s p rin g s y s te m :
 K   U or | K   U  0 |

10-9
 Activity #10
Energy in a Spring System

Objective of the Activity:

1. Use LoggerPro to study mechanical energy in a

spring system.
2. Consider how kinetic energy, potential energy,
and total mechanical energy vary with position.

10-10