Kinetic Energy

[bulldog23]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

The graph below shows the net force applied to a 2.5 kg body, initially at rest but free to move along a straight line on a horizontal frictionless surface. The force acts along the same straight line.
http://capa-new.colorado.edu/teacher/capalibrary/Graphics/Gtype12/prob37v1.gif

After the body has moved 3 m, what is it's kinetic energy?


2. Relevant equations
KE=1/2mv^2



3. The attempt at a solution
I just don't understand how to figure out the velocity of the body given force versus distance. Can someone explain this?

[Dick]

You haven't really stated a question. But the work done on the body by a force is the integral of F*dx. And the KE of the body is (1/2)*mv^2. And the change of the kinetic energy is the work done on the body. This is the same thing we were talking about last night. Except that was the simpler case where the force was a constant. Hence mgh. F=mg, distance=h.

[bulldog23]

My bad, the question is that after the body has moved 3 m, what is it's kinetic energy?

[bulldog23]

How do I figure out the velocity?

[Dick]

Was it's initial kinetic energy zero? Then the integral of the force (area under the force curve)=KE.

[bulldog23]

So then I can just make squares and triangles and figure out the area right? So then I would get the KE is 4???

[Dick]

You mean 4J, right? Always put units on things. But still not right. It would be 4J is the segment B were flat. It's not. Do make squares and triangles.

[bulldog23]

Yeah, I meant 4 Joules. But you can separate section A and part of B into a square and the area of that is 4 J. Then you can find the area of the triangle on part B which would be 1J and then subtract part C from those. Where am I going wrong?

[Dick]

Part C doesn't have any area. It's length is 1 and it's height is 0. 1x0=0. There is no force along section C, hence no work.

[bulldog23]

Oh, I see, so that would make KE=5 J. Thanks man!