What is the formula for calculating energy in a moving object?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the energy or work involved when an object of mass M moves from point A to B at a constant speed. Participants explore various aspects of energy, work, and the conditions under which these concepts apply, including scenarios with and without friction and acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the premise of constant speed with an initial velocity of zero, suggesting a misunderstanding of acceleration.
  • There is a discussion on whether the formula W = Fd applies, with some arguing that no work is done if the object moves at constant speed without acceleration.
  • Some participants assert that the energy involved is purely kinetic energy, while others argue that potential energy must be considered depending on the direction of motion.
  • One participant suggests that if there is no change in potential energy, the work done is zero, while another counters that energy may still be required to overcome forces like gravity or friction.
  • There is a contention regarding the necessity of forces for maintaining constant velocity, with references to Newton's First Law and the implications of equilibrium.
  • Several participants propose the kinetic energy formula (1/2 mv²) as relevant for calculating energy, but debate whether this energy is "used" in the context of the problem.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the original poster's phrasing of the problem, with some suggesting it may be poorly articulated.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of the problem, with multiple competing views on the role of forces, work, and energy in the scenario described. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific calculations needed.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the ambiguity in the original question about what is meant by "energy used" and the lack of mention of forces or friction in the initial post. The discussion also reflects varying assumptions about the conditions of motion.

horazio
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Hello,

I need to calculate the Energy or work involved in this situation :
An object of mass M moves from point A to B at a constant speed.
(initial speed is zero).
So I only know the mass (M),distance AB,initial and final speed (0,V) and the time taken (T).
What's the formula I should use to calculate the Energy used by the object?

bye bye.
 
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ahem. constant speed? how can it move at a constant speed if it's initial velocity is zero? if you mean constant acceleration then it's simple. you know the distance, final velocity and time taken. calculate the acceleration and then calculate the work done from there.
 
Ops,I meant : constant speed . The initial velocity is not zero,it is constant. Sorry.
Now, knowing that there is no acceleration,how do I calculate it ?!?
 
Does [itex]W = Fd[/itex] apply in this situation?
 
There is no work done on the object.
It's energy is purely kinetic.
 
yeah, W=Fd is applicable. Here the body moves with constant speed, so the net force on it is zero, hence the net work done is zero.
 
I suppose there should be kinetic energy,but the velocity doesn't change so,the total energy is zero,but it doesn't make any sense because there must be energy "somewhere". Any hints ?!
The problem is simple but I just can't solve it.
 
The energy is purely kinetic energy.
 
One of two things can happen here horazio.

If there is no change in potential energy along the direction of motion, (Like moving side ways along the earth), then the work done is zero. This is because there is no change in potential energy as you move side ways, so it takes no effort to keep it moving in constant speed. If you call the horziontal direction the x direction, and the verticel the y direction, then if you throw ANYTHING in the horiztonal direction, it will keep that same speed.
The other case is if you throw it up or down. This is different because you are working against gravity. Here the potential energy changes. So if you want to move with a constant vertical speed, you must apply a constant force that opposes gravity for some distance d. So even though you have "constant speed", the energy is being used up via potential energy as you raise the object. But this is not limited to gravity, it can be any type of field.

The only thing here is to pay close attention to HOW your moving. If your moving against a field, energy is changing. If you are moving perpendicular to it, (like moving horzinotally), then your energy is not changing.
 
  • #10
cyrusabdollahi said:
One of two things can happen here horazio.

If there is no change in potential energy along the direction of motion, (Like moving side ways along the earth), then the work done is zero. This is because there is no change in potential energy as you move side ways, so it takes no effort to keep it moving in constant speed. If you call the horziontal direction the x direction, and the verticel the y direction, then if you throw ANYTHING in the horiztonal direction, it will keep that same speed.
The other case is if you throw it up or down. This is different because you are working against gravity. Here the potential energy changes. So if you want to move with a constant vertical speed, you must apply a constant force that opposes gravity for some distance d. So even though you have "constant speed", the energy is being used up via potential energy as you raise the object. But this is not limited to gravity, it can be any type of field.

The only thing here is to pay close attention to HOW your moving. If your moving against a field, energy is changing. If you are moving perpendicular to it, (like moving horzinotally), then your energy is not changing.


Work is done by any kind of force, not just a field.
 
  • #11
Yes that's true, but I was trying to show him why a energy does increase, because in his example it is not kinetic energy that is increased as you stated, it has constant velocity. The potential energy is what is increasing for his example to work, actually friction could be another example too.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
cyrusabdollahi said:
Yes that's true, but I was trying to show him why a energy does increase, because in his example it is not kinetic energy that is increased as you stated, it has constant velocity. The potential energy is what is increasing for his example to work, actually friction could be another example too.

I said there was no increase in energy. The total energy in the object is kinetic. You are making assumptions about PE and friction whereas he didnt mention anything about them.
 
  • #13
My mistake sorry whozum. Think about the problem though, you CANNOT have a force and CONSTANT velocity without a counter force, i.e friction OR gravity, can you? :-) Newtons First law demands it, the sum of all forces must be zero!
 
  • #14
cyrusabdollahi said:
My mistake sorry whozum. Think about the problem though, you CANNOT have a force and CONSTANT velocity without a counter force, i.e friction OR gravity, can you? :-)

No, you cant, but that has nothing to do with this problem.

There were no forces mentioned.
 
  • #15
Yes, that's why I said there is one of two cases, where the work could be some value, or it could be zero, depending on how the equilibrium is maintained. One case requires a force, the other does not.
 
  • #16
Very simple.. the formula u should use is [tex]1/2 m v^2[/tex] to get the energy used up by the object.. not forgetting that this energy is used to overcome friction on the mass.
 
  • #17
yes.. there is a force, but it is used to overcome friction, therefore the sum of all the forces will be equal 0.
 
  • #18
Can someone please tell me where the OP mentioned anything about forces or friction..? I must have gone insane. This is such a basic problem and people are pulling things out of their ass.
 
  • #19
When there is no force, there will not be work done and when there is no work done, there will be no energy used..
 
  • #20
horazio said:
I need to calculate the Energy or work involved in this situation :
An object of mass M moves from point A to B at a constant speed.
(initial speed is zero).
So I only know the mass (M),distance AB,initial and final speed (0,V) and the time taken (T).
What's the formula I should use to calculate the Energy used by the object?
This question seems poorly phrased to me. What are you trying to calculate? The total work done on the object? If so, assuming we can treat the object as a particle and ignore changes in internal energy, then the total work done on the particle (by whatever forces may be acting on it) is zero since the kinetic energy doesn't change. (This is what whozum was saying, I believe.) Is this the question?

As far as what is the "energy used by the object"? I don't know what that means.
 
  • #21
Can someone please tell me where the OP mentioned anything about forces or friction..? I must have gone insane. This is such a basic problem and people are pulling things out of their ass.

Please be respectful to others. I was simply trying to make a valid point about his problem. I showed two examples where you could have a force and have work done, or no force, and have zero work done. There was nothing incorrect about what I said and was applicable to the problem he asked, since it was vague.
 
  • #22
Maybe it's bad phrased.(english is not my tongue,I'm italian,hence it's difficult for me to describe the problem).
Anyway I just want to calculate the energy used (or required) by the object of mass M,moving at a constant speed,for T time,for X distance.Without friction.No acceleration.

Any hints?
 
  • #23
If you are asking how much energy is required to move an object at constant speed in a straight line across a frictionless horizontal surface... the answer is none at all.
 
  • #24
Yes.. There will be kinetic energy on the object. Which is [tex]1/2 m v^2[/tex]
 

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