Work & Energy Methods

Ken Youssefi

So far we have solved problems using Newtons 2nd

law, force is related to acceleration. Acceleration is
then integrated to obtain velocity and position

Using Newtons 2nd law together with the principles

of kinematics allows us to obtain two other methods
of analysis; method of work and energy and method
of impulse and momentum.

For these methods to apply, the force has to be a

function of position (work and energy method) or
time (impulse and momentum)

MAE

Work & Energy Methods

Ken Youssefi

The methods deal directly with velocity rather than

acceleration.

The methods provide no information about the

acceleration.

The methods deal with scalar quantity rather than

vectors. So the problem formulation and solution are
simpler.

Forces that do no work are ignored.

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Definition of Work
Work = force x displacement

Work = (P cos) x d
d
The vertical component = (P sin) of force
P does no work. This force is ignored

Units:
ft lb
N m = (Joule)

English (US customary units)

Metric (SI units)

1 ft - lb = (1 ft) (1 lb) = (.3048 m) (4.448 N) = 1.356 Joule (J)

Ken Youssefi

MAE

Definition of Work
The work U done on an object as its center of
mass moves from a position r1 to a position r2
is defined in terms of the external force F on
the object and the displacement dr of its
center of mass.
r

U12 2 F dr
r1

Whatever the path, only the force component

that is aligned with the path contributes to the
work done
s2

U12 ( F cos )ds

s1

Ken Youssefi

MAE

Work Done by Gravity

When the force is defined by its rectangular coordinates ,
the expression for the work done is:

Fx = 0, Fy = -W = -mg, and Fz = 0

The work done by gravity is positive when y < 0,

that is, when the body moves down
Ken Youssefi

MAE

Work Done by a Linear Spring

Body A is attached to a fixed frame B by a spring, the spring is unstretched at Ao

k is the spring stiffness in N/m or lb/ft

Ken Youssefi

MAE

Power and efficiency

Power is defined as the time rate at which work is done.

Substitute the scalar product F . dr for dU:

Ken Youssefi

MAE

Power and efficiency

Units of Power

SI system - watt

English system - horsepower

Mechanical efficiency

The energy loss due to friction (heat) causes the power to be less than input
power. So the efficiency is always less than 1.
Ken Youssefi

MAE

Kinetic Energy of a Particle

Principle of Work and Energy
Consider a particle m acted on by a
force F, moving along a path.

Tangential component does work

At A1, s = s1 and v = v1 and at A2, s = s2 and v = v2

Ken Youssefi

MAE

Kinetic Energy of a Particle

Principle of Work and Energy

The left side of the equation is

the work done moving from
position 1 to 2, U1-2

The right side of the equation is

the change in kinetic energy of
the particle

Principle of Work and Energy

Units of kinetic energy

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Example

A car weighing 4000 lb is moving down a 5o incline at a

speed of 60 mi/h when the brakes are applied, causing
a constant braking force of 1500 lb (applied by the road
on the tires). Determine the distance traveled by the
car as it comes to stop.

Kinetic energy

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Example

Principle of work and Kinetic energy

Ken Youssefi

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Example
Two blocks are joined by a non-stretching cable. If
the system is released from rest, determine the
velocity of the block A after it has moved 2 m.
Assume the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.25
and the pulley is weightless and frictionless
FBD of block A

Fc = cable force, FA = friction force

Principle of work and kinetic energy for block A

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Example

Principle of work and kinetic energy for block B

Add equations (1) and (2) to eliminate Fc

Ken Youssefi

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Example
A spring is used to stop a 60 kg package sliding on a horizontal surface.
The spring has a constant stiffness of 20 kN/m and is held by a cable so
that it is initially compresses 120 mm. Knowing that the package has a
velocity of 2.5 m/s and that the maximum additional deflection of the
spring is 40 mm, determine a) the coefficient of kinetic friction, b) the
velocity of the package as it passes again through the position shown.

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Example
Motion from position 1 to position 2

Work done by the friction force

Ken Youssefi

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Example

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Example
Motion from position 2 to position 3

Ken Youssefi

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Example

A 2000 lb car starts at position 1 and moves down along

the track (neglect friction). Determine a) the force
exerted by the track on the car at position 2, where the
radius of curvature of the track is 20 ft, b) determine the
minimum safe value of the radius of curvature at
position 3

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Example

Ken Youssefi

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Example

Ken Youssefi

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Potential Energy Gravity Force

Consider the work down by the weight W
moving along a curved path from point A1 to A2.

The work done by W is independent of the path.

Wy is called the potential energy of the body with respect to gravity
force W, it is denoted by Vg

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Potential Energy Linear Spring

Consider a body attached to a spring and moving from position A1 to A2.

k x2 is called the potential energy of the body with respect to elastic

force F, it is denoted by Ve

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Conservative Forces
If the work done by a force (in moving a particle) is independent
of path, that force is called a conservative force.
Work done by force F as the particle moves
from A1 to A2.

The function V is called the potential energy

or potential function of F
If point A2 coincides A1 , that is if the particle
describes a closed path the work done is zero.

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Conservative Forces
Consider two point A (x, y, z) and A (x + dx, y + dy, z + dz) on the path. The work
done dU can be written:

Substituting for dU in terms of rectangular components and using the definition of

the differential of a function of several variable, we have

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Non-Conservative Force
Sliding friction
Sliding friction is a very common example
of a non-conservative force, because the
amount work done depends on the path
taken.

U12 k mg ds k mgL
0

L is the length of the curve

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Conservation of Energy
When a body moves under the action of conservative forces,
the principle of work and energy can be modified as follows
Principle of work
and energy

Kinetic energy

Work done by
conservative forces

Potential energy

Conservation of
Energy equation

When a particle moves under the action of conservative forces,

the sum of the kinetic and potential energy remains constant
Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Conservation of Energy
Mechanical energy = T + V

The kinetic energy has the same value at any two points with the
same elevation.
Assume friction is negligible (friction
force is a nonconservative force)

The body has the same velocity at A, A, and A.

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Example
A 20 lb collar slides along a vertical rod (neglect friction).
The spring attached to the collar has an undeformed
length of 4 in. and a stiffness of 3 lb/in. If the collar is
released from rest in position 1, determine its velocity
after it has moved 6 inch to position 2.

Ken Youssefi

MAE

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Example

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Example

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Example

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Comments on Work & Energy and Conservation of energy

Methods
The methods deal directly with velocity rather than
acceleration.

Ken Youssefi

The methods provide no information about the

acceleration.

The methods deal with scalar quantity rather than

vectors. So the problem formulation and solution are
simpler.

Forces that do no work are ignored.

Conservation of energy method is useful only if

conservative forces are applied (gravity and spring
forces)

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