THE WORK OF A FORCE, THE PRINCIPLE OF

WORK AND ENERGY & SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES

Todays Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Calculate the work of a force.
2. Apply the principle of work and
energy to a particle or system of
particles.
In-Class Activities:
Check Homework
Reading Quiz
Applications
Work of A Force
Principle of Work And
Energy
Concept Quiz
Group Problem Solving
Attention Quiz
READING QUIZ
1. What is the work done by the force F?
A) F s B) F s
C) Zero D) None of the above.
s
s
1
s
2
F
2. If a particle is moved from 1 to 2, the work done on the
particle by the force, F
R
will be

A) B)

C) D)
2
1
s
t
s
Fds E
}
2
1
s
t
s
Fds E
}
2
1
s
n
s
F ds E
}
2
1
s
n
s
F ds E
}
APPLICATIONS
A roller coaster makes use of gravitational forces to assist the
cars in reaching high speeds in the valleys of the track.
How can we design the track (e.g., the height, h, and the radius
of curvature, ) to control the forces experienced by the
passengers?
APPLICATIONS
(continued)
Crash barrels are often used
along roadways for crash
protection.

The barrels absorb the cars
kinetic energy by deforming.
If we know the velocity of
an oncoming car and the
amount of energy that can
be absorbed by each barrel,
how can we design a crash
cushion?
WORK AND ENERGY
Another equation for working kinetics problems involving
particles can be derived by integrating the equation of motion
(F = ma) with respect to displacement.
This principle is useful for solving problems that involve
force, velocity, and displacement. It can also be used to
explore the concept of power.
By substituting a
t
= v (dv/ds) into F
t
= ma
t
, the result is
integrated to yield an equation known as the principle of work
and energy.
To use this principle, we must first understand how to
calculate the work of a force.
WORK OF A FORCE (Section 14.1)
A force does work on a particle when the particle undergoes a
displacement along the line of action of the force.
Work is defined as the product of force
and displacement components acting in
the same direction. So, if the angle
between the force and displacement
vector is u, the increment of work dU
done by the force is
dU = F ds cos u
By using the definition of the dot product
and integrating, the total work can be
written as
}
r
2
r
1
U
1-2
=
F dr
WORK OF A FORCE
(continued)
Work is positive if the force and the movement are in the
same direction. If they are opposing, then the work is
negative. If the force and the displacement directions are
perpendicular, the work is zero.
If F is a function of position (a common
case) this becomes
}
=
s
2
s
1
F cos u ds
U
1-2
If both F and u are constant (F = F
c
), this equation further
simplifies to
U
1-2
= F
c
cos u (s
2
- s
1
)
WORK OF A WEIGHT
The work done by the gravitational force acting on a particle
(or weight of an object) can be calculated by using
The work of a weight is the product of the magnitude of
the particles weight and its vertical displacement. If
Ay is upward, the work is negative since the weight
force always acts downward.
- W (y
2
y
1
) = - W Ay - W dy =
U
1-2
=
}
y
2
y
1
WORK OF A SPRING FORCE
When stretched, a linear elastic spring
develops a force of magnitude F
s
= ks, where
k is the spring stiffness and s is the
displacement from the unstretched position.
If a particle is attached to the spring, the force F
s
exerted on the
particle is opposite to that exerted on the spring. Thus, the work
done on the particle by the spring force will be negative or
U
1-2
= [ 0.5 k (s
2
)
2
0.5 k (s
1
)
2
] .
The work of the spring force moving from position s
1
to position
s
2
is
= 0.5 k (s
2
)
2
0.5 k (s
1
)
2

k s ds
F
s
ds U
1-2
s
2
s
1
s
2
s
1
= }
= }
SPRING FORCES
1. The equations above are for linear springs only! Recall
that a linear spring develops a force according to
F = ks (essentially the equation of a line).
3. Always double check the sign of the spring work after
calculating it. It is positive work if the force put on the object
by the spring and the movement are in the same direction.
2. The work of a spring is not just spring force times distance
at some point, i.e., (ks
i
)(s
i
). Beware, this is a trap that
students often fall into!
It is important to note the following about spring forces.
PRINCIPLE OF WORK AND ENERGY
(Section 14.2 & Section 14.3)
U
1-2
is the work done by all the forces acting on the particle as it
moves from point 1 to point 2. Work can be either a positive or
negative scalar.
By integrating the equation of motion, F
t
= ma
t
= mv(dv/ds), the
principle of work and energy can be written as
U
1-2
= 0.5 m (v
2
)
2
0.5 m (v
1
)
2
or T
1
+ U
1-2
= T
2
T
1
and T
2
are the kinetic energies of the particle at the initial and final
position, respectively. Thus, T
1
= 0.5 m (v
1
)
2
and T
2
= 0.5 m (v
2
)
2
.
The kinetic energy is always a positive scalar (velocity is squared!).
So, the particles initial kinetic energy plus the work done by all the
forces acting on the particle as it moves from its initial to final position
is equal to the particles final kinetic energy.
PRINCIPLE OF WORK AND ENERGY
(continued)
The principle of work and energy cannot be used, in general, to
determine forces directed normal to the path, since these forces
do no work.
Note that the principle of work and energy (T
1
+ U
1-2
= T
2
) is
not a vector equation! Each term results in a scalar value.
Both kinetic energy and work have the same units, that of
energy! In the SI system, the unit for energy is called a joule (J),
where 1 J = 1 N m. In the FPS system, units are ft lb.
The principle of work and energy can also be applied to a system
of particles by summing the kinetic energies of all particles in the
system and the work due to all forces acting on the system.
The case of a body sliding over a rough surface merits special
consideration.
This equation is satisfied if P =
k
N. However, we know from
experience that friction generates heat, a form of energy that does
not seem to be accounted for in this equation. It can be shown that
the work term (
k
N)s represents both the external work of the
friction force and the internal work that is converted into heat.
WORK OF FRICTION CAUSED BY SLIDING
The principle of work and energy would be
applied as
0.5m (v)
2
+ P s (
k
N) s = 0.5m (v)
2
Consider a block which is moving over a
rough surface. If the applied force P just
balances the resultant frictional force
k
N,
a constant velocity v would be maintained.
Given: When s = 0.6 m, the spring is
not stretched or compressed,
and the 10 kg block, which is
subjected to a force of F=
100 N, has a speed of 5 m/s
down the smooth plane.
Find: The distance s when the block stops.
Plan:
Since this problem involves forces, velocity and displacement,
apply the principle of work and energy to determine s.
EXAMPLE
Apply the principle of work and energy between position 1
(s
1
= 0.6 m) and position 2 (s
2
). Note that the normal force (N)
does no work since it is always perpendicular to the
displacement.
EXAMPLE
(continued)
Solution:
T
1
+ U
1-2
= T
2

There is work done by three different forces;

1) work of a the force F =100 N;
U
F
= 100 (s
2
s
1
) = 100 (s
2
0.6)
2) work of the block weight;
U
W
= 10 (9.81) (s
2
s
1
) sin 30 = 49.05 (s
2
0.6)
3) and, work of the spring force.
U
S
= - 0.5 (200) (s
2
0.6)
2
= -100 (s
2
0.6)
2

The work and energy equation will be
T
1
+ U
1-2
= T
2

0.5 (10) 5
2
+ 100(s
2
0.6) + 49.05(s
2
0.6) 100(s
2
0.6)
2
= 0

125

+ 149.05(s
2
0.6) 100(s
2
0.6)
2
= 0

EXAMPLE
(continued)
Solving for (s
2
0.6),
(s
2
0.6) = {-149.05 (149.05
2
4(-100)125)
0.5
} / 2(-100)

Selecting the positive root, indicating a positive spring deflection,
(s
2
0.6) = 2.09 m
Therefore, s
2
= 2.69 m
CONCEPT QUIZ
1. A spring with an un-stretched length of 5 in expands from a
length of 2 in to a length of 4 in. The work done on the spring
is _________ in lb .
A) -[0.5 k(4 in)
2
- 0.5 k(2 in)
2
] B) 0.5 k (2 in)
2

C) -[0.5 k(3 in)
2
- 0.5 k(1 in)
2
] D) 0.5 k(3 in)
2
- 0.5 k(1 in)
2

2. If a spring force is F = 5 s
3
N/m and the spring is compressed
by s = 0.5 m, the work done on a particle attached to the
spring will be
A) 0.625 N m B) 0.625 N m
C) 0.0781 N m D) 0.0781 N m
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
Given: Block A has a weight of 60 lb
and block B has a weight of 40
lb. The coefficient of kinetic
friction between the blocks and
the incline is
k
= 0.1. Neglect
the mass of the cord and pulleys.
Find: The speed of block A after block B moves 2 ft up the
plane, starting from rest.
Plan:
1) Define the kinematic relationships between the blocks.
2) Draw the FBD of each block.
3) Apply the principle of work and energy to the system
of blocks. Why choose this method?
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)
Since the cable length is constant:
2s
A
+ s
B
= l
2As
A
+ As
B
= 0
When As
B
= -2 ft => As
A
= 1 ft
and 2v
A
+ v
B
= 0
=> v
B
= -2v
A
Note that, by this definition of s
A
and s
B
, positive motion
for each block is defined as downwards.
Solution:
1) The kinematic relationships can be determined by defining
position coordinates s
A
and s
B
, and then differentiating.
s
A

s
B

Similarly, for block B:

N
B
= W
B
cos 30
2) Draw the FBD of each block.
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
(continued)
y
x
N
A
N
A

2T
W
A
A
60
30
B
N
B
N
B

T
W
B
Sum forces in the y-direction for block A
(note that there is no motion in y-direction):
F
y
= 0: N
A
W
A
cos 60 = 0
N
A
= W
A
cos 60

[0.5m
A
(v
A1
)
2
+ .5m
B
(v
B1
)
2
] + [W
A
sin 60 2T N
A
]As
A

+ [W
B
sin 30 T + N
B
]As
B
= [0.5m
A
(v
A2
)
2
+ 0.5m
B
(v
B2
)
2
]
3) Apply the principle of work and energy to the system (the
blocks start from rest).
T
1
+ U
1-2
= T
2
where v
A1
= v
B1
= 0, As
A
= 1ft, As
B
= -2 ft, v
B
= -2v
A
,
N
A
= W
A
cos 60, N
B
= W
B
cos 30

GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
(continued)
=> [0 + 0] + [60 sin 60 2T 0.1(60 cos 60)] (1)
+ [40 sin 30 T + 0.1(40 cos 30)] (2)
= [0.5(60/32.2)(v
A2
)
2
+ 0.5(40/32.2)(-2v
A2
)
2
]
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
(continued)
Again, the Work and Energy equation is:
=> [0 + 0] + [60 sin 60 2T 0.1(60 cos 60)] (1)
+ [40 sin 30 T + 0.1(40 cos 30)] (2)
= [0.5(60/32.2)(v
A2
)
2
+ 0.5(40/32.2)(-2v
A2
)
2
]
Note that the work due to the cable tension force on each block
cancels out.
Solving for the unknown velocity yeilds
=> v
A2
= 0.771 ft/s
ATTENTION QUIZ
1. What is the work done by the normal
force N if a 10 lb box is moved from A
to B ?
A) - 1.24 lb ft B) 0 lb ft
C) 1.24 lb ft D) 2.48 lb ft
2. Two blocks are initially at rest. How many equations would
be needed to determine the velocity of block A after block B
moves 4 m horizontally on the smooth surface?
A) One B) Two
C) Three D) Four
2 kg
2 kg
POWER AND EFFICIENCY
Todays Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Determine the power generated
by a machine, engine, or motor.
2. Calculate the mechanical
efficiency of a machine.
In-Class Activities:
Check Homework
Reading Quiz
Applications
Define Power
Define Efficiency
Concept Quiz
Group Problem Solving
Attention Quiz
READING QUIZ
1. The formula definition of power is ___________.
A) dU / dt B) F - v
C) F - dr/dt D) All of the above.
2. Kinetic energy results from _______.
A) displacement B) velocity
C) gravity D) friction
APPLICATIONS
Engines and motors are often
rated in terms of their power
output. The power output of the
motor lifting this elevator is
related to the vertical force F
acting on the elevator, causing it
to move upwards.
Given a desired lift velocity for the
elevator (with a known maximum
load), how can we determine the
power requirement of the motor?
APPLICATIONS (continued)
The speed at which a truck
can climb a hill depends in
part on the power output of
the engine and the angle of
inclination of the hill.
For a given angle, how can we determine the speed of this
truck, knowing the power transmitted by the engine to the
wheels? Can we find the speed, if we know the power?
If we know the engine power output and speed of the truck, can
we determine the maximum angle of climb of this truck ?
POWER AND EFFICIENCY
(Section 14.4)
Thus, power is a scalar defined as the product of the force
and velocity components acting in the same direction.

Since the work can be expressed as dU = F dr, the power
can be written
P = dU/dt = (F dr)/dt = F (dr/dt) = F v
If a machine or engine performs a certain amount of work,
dU, within a given time interval, dt, the power generated can
be calculated as
P = dU/dt
Power is defined as the amount of work performed per unit
of time.

POWER
Using scalar notation, power can be written
P = F v = F v cos u
where u is the angle between the force and velocity vectors.
In the FPS system, power is usually expressed in units of
horsepower (hp) where
1 hp = 550 (ft lb)/s = 746 W .
So if the velocity of a body acted on by a force F is known,
the power can be determined by calculating the dot product
or by multiplying force and velocity components.

The unit of power in the SI system is the Watt (W) where
1 W = 1 J/s = 1 (N m)/s .
EFFICIENCY
If energy input and removal occur at the same time, efficiency
may also be expressed in terms of the ratio of output energy
to input energy or
c = (energy output) / (energy input)
Machines will always have frictional forces. Since frictional
forces dissipate energy, additional power will be required to
overcome these forces. Consequently, the efficiency of a
machine is always less than 1.
The mechanical efficiency of a machine is the ratio of the
useful power produced (output power) to the power supplied
to the machine (input power) or
c = (power output) / (power input)
PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS
Multiply the force magnitude by the component of velocity
acting in the direction of F to determine the power supplied
to the body (P = F v cos u ).
If the mechanical efficiency of a machine is known, either
the power input or output can be determined.
Determine the velocity of the point on the body at which the
force is applied. Energy methods or the equation of motion
and appropriate kinematic relations, may be necessary.
In some cases, power may be found by calculating the work
done per unit of time (P = dU/dt).
Find the resultant external force acting on the body causing
its motion. It may be necessary to draw a free-body diagram.
EXAMPLE
Given: A 50 kg block (A) is hoisted by the pulley
system and motor M. The motor has an
efficiency of 0.8. At this instant, point P
on the cable has a velocity of 12 m/s
which is increasing at a rate of 6 m/s
2
.
Neglect the mass of the pulleys and
cable.
Find: The power supplied to the motor at this
instant.
Plan:
1) Relate the cable and block velocities by defining position
coordinates. Draw a FBD of the block.
2) Use the equation of motion to determine the cable tension.
3) Calculate the power supplied by the motor and then to the
motor.
EXAMPLE (continued)
Solution:
Here s
P
is defined to a point on the cable. Also
s
A
is defined only to the lower pulley, since the
block moves with the pulley. From kinematics,
s
P
+ 2 s
A
= l
a
P
+ 2 a
A
= 0
a
A
= a
P
/ 2 = 3 m/s
2
()


s
B
s
m
1) Define position coordinates to relate velocities.
Datum
S
A
S
P
Draw the FBD and kinetic diagram of the block:
2T
W
A

A
m
A
a
A

A =
2) The tension of the cable can be obtained by applying the
equation of motion to the block.
+ F
y
= m
A
a
A
2T 490.5 = 50 (3) T = 320.3 N

EXAMPLE
(continued)
3) The power supplied by the motor is the product of the force
applied to the cable and the velocity of the cable.
P
o
= F v = (320.3)(12) = 3844 W
P
i
= P
o
/c = 3844/0.8 = 4804 W = 4.8 kW
The power supplied to the motor is determined using the
motors efficiency and the basic efficiency equation.

CONCEPT QUIZ
2. A twin engine jet aircraft is climbing at a 10 degree angle at
260 ft/s. The thrust developed by a jet engine is 1000 lb.
The power developed by the aircraft is
A) (1000 lb)(260 ft/s) B) (2000 lb)(260 ft/s) cos 10
C) (1000 lb)(260 ft/s) cos 10 D) (2000 lb)(260 ft/s)
1. A motor pulls a 10 lb block up a smooth
incline at a constant velocity of 4 ft/s.
Find the power supplied by the motor.
A) 8.4 ft lb/s B) 20 ft lb/s
C) 34.6 ft lb/s D) 40 ft lb/s
30
Given: A sports car has a mass of 2000 kg and an engine
efficiency of c = 0.65. Moving forward, the wind creates
a drag resistance on the car of F
D
= 1.2v
2
N, where v is the
velocity in m/s. The car accelerates at 5 m/s
2
, starting
from rest.
Find: The engines input power when t = 4 s.
Plan: 1) Draw a free body diagram of the car.
2) Apply the equation of motion and kinematic equations
to find the cars velocity at t = 4 s.
3) Determine the output power required for this motion.
4) Use the engines efficiency to determine input power.
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
(continued)
Solution:
1) Draw the FBD of the car.
The drag force and weight are
known forces. The normal force N
c

and frictional force F
c
represent the
resultant forces of all four wheels.
The frictional force between the
wheels and road pushes the car
forward.
2) The equation of motion can be applied in the x-direction,
with a
x
= 5 m/s
2
:
+ F
x
= ma
x
=> F
c
1.2v
2
= (2000)(5)
=> F
c
= (10,000 + 1.2v
2
) N
3) The constant acceleration equations can be used to
determine the cars velocity.
4) The power output of the car is calculated by multiplying the
driving (frictional) force and the cars velocity:
5) The power developed by the engine (prior to its frictional
losses) is obtained using the efficiency equation.

P
i
= P
o
/c = 209.6/0.65 = 322 kW
P
o
= (F
c
)(v
x
) = [10,000 + (1.2)(20)
2
](20) = 209.6 kW
v
x
= v
xo
+ a
x
t = 0 + (5)(4) = 20 m/s
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
(continued)
ATTENTION QUIZ
1. The power supplied by a machine will always be
_________ the power supplied to the machine.
A) less than B) equal to
C) greater than D) A or B
2. A car is traveling a level road at 88 ft/s. The power being
supplied to the wheels is 52,800 ft lb/s. Find the
combined friction force on the tires.
A) 8.82 lb B) 400 lb
C) 600 lb D) 4.64 x 10
6
lb
CONSERVATIVE FORCES, POTENTIAL ENERGY
AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
Todays Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Understand the concept of
conservative forces and
determine the potential
energy of such forces.
2. Apply the principle of
conservation of energy.
In-Class Activities:
Check Homework
Reading Quiz
Applications
Conservative Force
Potential Energy
Conservation of Energy
Concept Quiz
Group Problem Solving
Attention Quiz
READING QUIZ
1. The potential energy of a spring is ________
A) always negative. B) always positive.
C) positive or negative. D) equal to ks.
2. When the potential energy of a conservative system
increases, the kinetic energy _________
A) always decreases. B) always increases.
C) could decrease or D) does not change.
increase.
APPLICATIONS
The weight of the sacks resting on
this platform causes potential energy
to be stored in the supporting springs.

As each sack is removed, the platform
will rise slightly since some of the
potential energy within the springs
will be transformed into an increase
in gravitational potential energy of the
remaining sacks.
If the sacks weigh 100 lb and the equivalent spring constant
is k = 500 lb/ft, what is the energy stored in the springs?
APPLICATIONS (continued)
The boy pulls the water balloon launcher back, stretching each
of the four elastic cords.
If we know the unstretched length and stiffness of each cord,
can we estimate the maximum height and the maximum range
of the water balloon when it is released from the current
position ?
APPLICATIONS (continued)
The roller coaster is released from rest at the top of the hill. As
the coaster moves down the hill, potential energy is
transformed into kinetic energy.
What is the velocity of the coaster when it is at B and C?
Also, how can we determine the minimum height of the hill
so that the car travels around both inside loops without
leaving the track?
CONSERVATIVE FORCE
(Section 14.5)
A force F is said to be conservative if the work done is
independent of the path followed by the force acting on a particle
as it moves from A to B. This also means that the work done by
the force F in a closed path (i.e., from A to B and then back to A)
is zero.


Thus, we say the work is conserved.
}
r F 0
=
d
x
y
z
A
B
F
The work done by a conservative
force depends only on the positions
of the particle, and is independent of
its velocity or acceleration.
CONSERVATIVE FORCE (continued)
A more rigorous definition of a conservative force makes
use of a potential function (V) and partial differential
calculus, as explained in the text. However, even without
the use of the these mathematical relationships, much can be
understood and accomplished.
The conservative potential energy of a particle/system is
typically written using the potential function V. There are two
major components to V commonly encountered in mechanical
systems, the potential energy from gravity and the potential
energy from springs or other elastic elements.
V
total
= V
gravity
+ V
springs
POTENTIAL ENERGY
Potential energy is a measure of the amount of work a
conservative force will do when a body changes position.
In general, for any conservative force system, we can define
the potential function (V) as a function of position. The work
done by conservative forces as the particle moves equals the
change in the value of the potential function (e.g., the sum of
V
gravity
and V
springs
).
It is important to become familiar with the two types of
potential energy and how to calculate their magnitudes.
POTENTIAL ENERGY DUE TO GRAVITY
The potential function (formula) for a gravitational force, e.g.,
weight (W = mg), is the force multiplied by its elevation from a
datum. The datum can be defined at any convenient location.
V
g
= W y

V
g
is positive if y is above the
datum and negative if y is
below the datum. Remember,
YOU get to set the datum.
ELASTIC POTENTIAL ENERGY
Recall that the force of an elastic spring is F = ks. It is
important to realize that the potential energy of a spring, while
it looks similar, is a different formula.
Notice that the potential
function V
e
always yields
positive energy.
k s
2
2
1
V
e
=
V
e
(where e denotes an
elastic spring) has the distance
s raised to a power (the
result of an integration) or
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
(Section 14.6)
When a particle is acted upon by a system of conservative
forces, the work done by these forces is conserved and the
sum of kinetic energy and potential energy remains
constant. In other words, as the particle moves, kinetic
energy is converted to potential energy and vice versa.
This principle is called the principle of conservation of
energy and is expressed as
2 2 1 1
V T V T
+ = +
= Constant
T
1
stands for the kinetic energy at state 1 and V
1
is the
potential energy function for state 1. T
2
and V
2

represent these energy states at state 2. Recall, the
kinetic energy is defined as T = mv
2
.
EXAMPLE
Given: The 2 kg collar is moving down
with the velocity of 4 m/s at A.
The spring constant is 30 N/m. The
unstretched length of the spring is
1 m.

Find: The velocity of the collar when
s = 1 m.

Plan:


Apply the conservation of energy equation between A and
C. Set the gravitational potential energy datum at point A
or point C (in this example, choose point Awhy?).
Similarly, the potential and kinetic energies at A will be
V
A
= 0.5 (30) (2 1)
2
, T
A
= 0.5 (2) 4
2

EXAMPLE
(continued)
Solution:
Note that the potential energy at C has two parts.
V
C
= (V
C
)
e
+ (V
C
)
g

V
C
= 0.5 (30) (5 1)
2
2 (9.81) 1
The kinetic energy at C is
T
C
= 0.5 (2) v
2

The energy conservation equation becomes T
A
+ V
A
= T
C
+ V
C
.
[ 0.5(30) (5 1)
2
2(9.81)1 ] + 0.5 (2) v
2

= [0.5 (30) (2 1)
2
]+ 0.5 (2) 4
2
v = 5.26 m/s
CONCEPT QUIZ
2. Recall that the work of a spring is U
1-2
= - k(s
2
2
s
1
2
) and
can be either positive or negative. The potential energy of a
spring is V = ks
2
. Its value is __________
A) always negative. B) either positive or negative.
C) always positive. D) an imaginary number!
1. If the work done by a conservative force on a particle as it
moves between two positions is 10 ft lb, the change in its
potential energy is _______
A) 0 ft lb. B) -10 ft lb.
C) +10 ft lb. D) None of the above.
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
Given: The 800 kg roller
coaster starts from
A with a speed of
3 m/s.
Note that only kinetic energy and potential energy due
to gravity are involved. Determine the velocity at B using the
equation of equilibrium and then apply the conservation of
energy equation to find minimum height h .
Find: The minimum height, h, of the hill so that the car
travels around inside loop at B without leaving the track. Also
find the normal reaction on the car when the car is at C for this
height of A.
Plan:
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)
1) Placing the datum at A:
T
A
+ V
A
= T
B
+ V
B


0.5 (800) 3
2
+ 0
= 0.5 (800) (v
B
)
2
800(9.81) (h 20) (1)
Solution:
ma
n
mg

N
B
~ 0

=
Equation of motion applied at B:

2
v
m ma F
n n
= =
10
800 (9.81) = 800
(v
B
)
2

v
B
= 9.905 m/s
2) Find the required velocity of the coaster at B so it doesnt
leave the track.
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)
Now using the energy conservation, eq. (1), the minimum h
can be determined.
0.5 (800) 3
2
+ 0 = 0.5 (800) (9.905)
2
800(9.81) (h 20)
h= 24.5 m
ma
n
mg

N
C
=
N
C
= 16.8 kN
3) To find the normal reaction at C, we need v
c
.
T
A
+ V
A
= T
C
+ V
C

0.5 (800) 3
2
+ 0 = 0.5 (800) (v
C
)
2
800(9.81) (24.5 14)
V
C
= 14.66 m/s
Equation of motion applied at B:

2
v
m F
n
=
7
N
C
+800 (9.81) = 800
14.66
2


ATTENTION QUIZ
1. The principle of conservation of energy is usually ______ to
apply than the principle of work & energy.
A) harder B) easier
C) the same amount of work D) It is a mystery!
2. If the pendulum is released from the
horizontal position, the velocity of its
bob in the vertical position is _____
A) 3.8 m/s. B) 6.9 m/s.
C) 14.7 m/s. D) 21 m/s.