What is Work energy: Definition and 186 Discussions

In physics, energy is the quantitative property that must be transferred to a body or physical system to perform work on the body, or to heat it. Energy is a conserved quantity; the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed. The unit of measurement in the International System of Units (SI) of energy is the joule, which is the energy transferred to an object by the work of moving it a distance of one metre against a force of one newton.
Common forms of energy include the kinetic energy of a moving object, the potential energy stored by an object's position in a force field (gravitational, electric or magnetic), the elastic energy stored by stretching solid objects, the chemical energy released when a fuel burns, the radiant energy carried by light, and the thermal energy due to an object's temperature.
Mass and energy are closely related. Due to mass–energy equivalence, any object that has mass when stationary (called rest mass) also has an equivalent amount of energy whose form is called rest energy, and any additional energy (of any form) acquired by the object above that rest energy will increase the object's total mass just as it increases its total energy. For example, after heating an object, its increase in energy could be measured as a small increase in mass, with a sensitive enough scale.
Living organisms require energy to stay alive, such as the energy humans get from food. Human civilization requires energy to function, which it gets from energy resources such as fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, or renewable energy. The processes of Earth's climate and ecosystem are driven by the radiant energy Earth receives from the Sun and the geothermal energy contained within the earth.

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  1. S

    Calculating Work and Kinetic Energy in a Cart Experiment

    Mentor's Note: This post and another have been merged at the member's request in order to attach their results. 1. Homework Statement See the attached picture for the lab setup. It is all about releasing a cart of 1.212 kg attached with a string and hanging masses. I recorded the Initial and...
  2. R

    I'm confused about the work energy theorem

    The reason why the work energy theorem " ΣW = Δ KE " only includes kinetic and not potential energy, is because gravity undoes the potential energy ? What I mean by "undoes" here is, If you were to, for e.g., lift an apple up a vertical distance, but also accelerate it while lifting it. Then...
  3. S

    Clarifying Power = +EPE/Time & Negative Current with Negative Charge

    if w = - change in epe why does power = +epe / time if power is supposed to equal w / t shouldn't it be equal to -EPE / time Please help me clarify this. epe= electric potential energy and also if current equals to Q/t is there a negative current if there is a negative charge? isn't current...
  4. R

    Work done on object vs work done by you

    What is the difference between work done on an object and work done by you? For example, you exert a 100N force pushing a 10kg mass 3.0m across the floor with a coefficient of friction 0.60 1) what is the work done on the mass? 2) what is the work done by you? For question 1 I think it has to...
  5. D

    Solving Physics Problem 9-72: Angular Speed of Pulley

    1. The problem states: Problem 9-72a: The system shown in the figure below consists of a m1 = 4.24-kg block resting on a frictionless horizontal ledge. This block is attached to a string that passes over a pulley, and the other end of the string is attached to a hanging m2 = 2.12-kg block...
  6. G

    Modern Physics - Work Energy Theorem

    Homework Statement The work-energy theorem relates the change in kinetic energy of a particle to the work done on it by an external force: \triangle K = W = \int F\, dx . Writing Newton's second law as F = \frac{dp}{dt} , show that W = \int v\, dp and integrate by parts using the...
  7. BrainMan

    Non-consecutive forces and work energy theorem

    Homework Statement A dockworker allows a 350-N crate to slide down an incline that is 8 m in length to the deck of a ship 5 m below the dock level. The rough incline exerts a frictional force of 50 N on the crate. (a) What is the speed of the crate as it reaches the deck (b) What is the...
  8. Q

    Finding Angular Velocity of a Torsion Spring Assembly

    Homework Statement When Θ=0, the assembly is held at rest, and the torsional spring is untwisted. If the assembly is released and falls downward, determine its angular velocity at the instant Θ=90°. Rod AB has a mass of 6kg, and disk has a mass of 9kg. Rod is 450mm and disk has a radius of...
  9. P

    Why Does a Rolling Disk Have No Translational Kinetic Energy?

    Homework Statement http://postimg.org/image/m9wtlg5ah/ taking T1 for example why does the disk have no translational kinetic energy component? And why does the friction do no work? Homework Equations Kinetic energy of a rigid body in planar motion T = ##\frac{1}{2}m{v_G}^2...
  10. U

    When Does the Kinetic Work Energy Theorem Not Apply?

    When does the Kinetic Work Energy Theorem not apply to a situation? Or better, is there a general form of the equation where work can equal the change in any energy? What is work besides a force and a distance?
  11. L

    Work Energy Theorem and Kinematics

    Homework Statement A small steel ball of mass .0283kg is placed on the end of a plunger of length .0051m attached to a spring 1.88m above the ground. The spring is pre-compressed .0011m and has a spring constant of 177 N/m. The plunger is then angled on a ramp 45° above the horizontal, and is...
  12. J

    Does the Work-Energy Theorem hold true for objects in rotational motion?

    Consider a solid sphere and a cube of equal mass, both on a frictionless table. Now, you apply a force to both objects at the point of contact between the object and the table. Then the linear accelerations of both objects will be the same (since the same force is applied to the two objects of...
  13. M

    Work Energy Theorem for Variable Mass Systems

    How do we know that the work-energy theorem holds for variable mass systems? Or rather, since I'm sure that we can at least know it to be true experimentally, what is the mathematical basis for the work-energy theorem? I know for fixed mass systems, a rather simple derivation comes from...
  14. H

    Work Energy: Find Tension at Bottom of Circle

    Homework Statement A 1.3kg stone is whirled in a vertical circle at the end of a 0.83m long string. The tension in the string at the top of the circle is 6.4N. What is the tension in the string when the stone is at the bottom of the circle? Homework Equations Fc= mac W=|F||Δd|cosθ...
  15. B

    Condition of the work energy theorem

    Hi, After reading several resources about work and energy, I am confused about the conditions that should be satisfied in order to be able to apply work energy theorem. It seems that textbooks have different arguments about this issue. I can summarize what textbooks say in three different...
  16. Y

    Rotational Motion Question with Work Energy Theorem

    Homework Statement A 392-N wheel comes off a moving truck and rolls without slipping along a highway. At the bottom of a hill, it is rotating at 25.0rad/s. The radius of the wheel is .6m and its moment of inertia about its rotation axis is 0.800MR2. Friction does work on the wheel as it...
  17. F

    Work energy efficiency car problem

    Homework Statement Gasoline has an energy content of about 132.65 MJ/US Gallon. An average passenger car has a mass of 1500kg. The average vehicle experiences a drag force F(drag) = (0.176 kg/m)v^2, regardless of road conditions. A uniform and level road surface provides a 'rolling...
  18. T

    Work Energy Problem: Calculate Fg and m in Constant Velocity Scenario

    Homework Statement Homework Equations W=F*delta x Fg = mg The Attempt at a Solution I just want to know if my answer is correct for question 4.1.2: W=Fapp*delta x 377860 = Fapp*70 Fapp = 5398N Fnet = 0 (constant velocity) Fnet = 0 5398-8-Fg=0 Fg = 5390 Fg = mg...
  19. T

    How can I solve this Work Energy Theorem problem for finding height?

    Homework Statement I do not know how to find the height. I am thinking of using mgh=delta k but I am not getting the correct answer. I know the answer is 6.28m because my teacher gave it to me. Below is the picture and question: Homework Equations mgh = delta kThe Attempt at a Solution ep=ek...
  20. D

    Power problem, to use net force or work energy theorem?

    Homework Statement A helicopter, starting from rest, accelerates straight up from the roof of a hospital. The lifting force does work in raising the helicopter. An 720-kg helicopter rises from rest to a speed of 7.5 m/s in a time of 5.0 s. During this time it climbs to a height of 7.9 m...
  21. S

    Work Energy Power: Where Does the Energy Come From?

    when you push your bicycle up on an incline the potential energy of the bicycle and yourself increases. Where does this energy come from?
  22. S

    Work Energy Theorem and total work

    Plz tell me Which is correct form of Work Energy theorem 1. Total Work = Toatl change in Mechanical Energy(Potental + Kinetic) 2. Total Work + Potential Energy = Total Change in Kinetic Energy 3. Total Work = Total Change in Kinetic Energy (Mention in the textbooks) Actually i am confused...
  23. N

    Solving work energy problems, with velocity and friction as givens.

    I need to solve a work energy equation for height that has initial velocity, final velocity, and work done by friction as the only givens, I don't want to give the full problem, but I can't even find how to do that in my physics book so any help would be appreciated. right now I have...
  24. T

    Work energy problem with damping?

    Homework Statement I need help with part d. The Attempt at a Solution I worked out the damping constant and I am pretty sure it is correct. So I tried to solve this using work energy theorem. I ended up with a quadratic equation and solved for two solutions. None of them match the answer...
  25. T

    Work Energy Theorem and Uniform Disc Problem

    Homework Statement Using work energy theorem, solve: The Attempt at a Solution The actual answer (3.11s) is exactly half of my answer. Does anyone know what I did wrong?
  26. E

    Leg Presses Work Energy Theorem Confusion

    Homework Statement As part of your daily workout, you lie on your back and push with your feet against a platform attached to two stiff springs arranged side by side so that they are parallel to each other. When you push the platform, you compress the springs. You do 80.0 J of work when...
  27. E

    Work Energy Theorem Homework: Water Pump Power Output

    Homework Statement A pump is required to lift 800 kg of water (about 210 gallons) per minute from a well 14.0 m deep and eject it with a speed of 8ms-1 (a) How much work is done per minute in lifting the water? (b) How much work is done in giving the water the kinetic energy it has when...
  28. E

    Hooke's Law and Work Energy THeorem

    Homework Statement At a waterpark, sleds with riders are sent along a slippery, horizontal surface by the release of a large compressed spring. The spring with force constant and negligible mass rests on the frictionless horizontal surface. One end is in contact with a stationary wall. A...
  29. V

    Work energy theorem clarification.

    I just wanted to start a thread about the basic concepts of work and energy to clarify some things I have been wondering about. Firstly, work and kinetic energy are concepts independent of force fields; right? Am I right to think that the relationship of force and kinetic energy with respect to...
  30. E

    Work Energy Theorem and Potential Energy violation?

    I came across a rather confusing topic about Work Energy Theorem and Potential Energy applied in lifting a particle.I will be glad if anyone clears it for me. Consider a particle at a height =0.Potential Energy is considered as zero at height=0.Now it is lifted to a position where height is h...
  31. T

    Work Energy Theorem of a spring

    Homework Statement The Attempt at a Solution Is this correct? Is the change in potential energy Ufinal-Uinitial? My answer turns out to be a positive number, so intuitively does this mean that some of the kinetic energy went into potential and thus the final potential energy is greater than...
  32. T

    Finding angular velocity using work energy theorem

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Inertia about pin = ml^2/3 Work done by rotation = M*theta = 0.5(Inertia about pin) *ω2 The Attempt at a Solution I tried two different methods and both came out to be the same answer. However they did not correspond to any of the multiple...
  33. A

    Circular motion Work Energy problem

    A small bead of mass m is moving on a smooth circular wire (radius R) under the action of a force F directed towards a point P at a distance R/2 from the centre .What should be the minimum velocity of the bead at the point where it is closest to P so that it may complete the circle. I worked it...
  34. P

    Why is the work of the skier against resistance not negative?

    A girl and her sledge have a combined mass of 40kg. She starts from rest and descends a slope which is inclined at 25 degrees to the horizontal. At the bottom of the slope the ground becomes horizontal for 15m before rising at 6 degrees to the horizontal. The girl travels 25m up the slope before...
  35. F

    Work Energy Method for Rotational Motion

    Homework Statement I don't how how to work out for the Gravitational Energy "H". Info given is 1.5rev converting to 9.42rad/s S=rδ S=0.2x9.42 =1.884 *Should i multiply the axle radius or wheel? The Attempt at a Solution E1=K1+G1+S1 =1/2(8.5)202+(20)(9.81)(H)+0Thanks
  36. F

    Work Energy Method for Rotational Motion

    Homework Statement Reference to part C of the question, I would like to ask for work done U1to2, how come linear motion is not included? I thought both linear and rotational exist since the parcel "move downwards" (linear) and the wheel is rotating (rotational) Thanks...
  37. F

    Work Energy Method for Rotational Motion

    Homework Statement Hi guys, I would like to ask for this particular question, The GPE is 0 for all position is because I set datum as the original position, GPE = 0 and when the string got detached from the axle, there is no GPE for datum 2. Am I right? Thanks
  38. F

    Work Energy Method for Linear Motion

    Homework Statement From my textbook there is a note that says " A reference datum must always be define in order to obtain the height h. I don't quite understand what is it trying to tell me. I already had define my datum 1 as position 1 and datum 2 as position 2. On my 2nd diagram , I...
  39. B

    How Far Does the Pile Move with Each Blow of the Hammer?

    Homework Statement A pile driver has a hammer head of mass 4000 kg which is repeatedly raised 3.0 m above a pile and dropped onto it. The force required to drive the pile downwards into the ground is 500 000 N. When the hammerhead is dropped, all the energy foes into moving the pile. How far...
  40. B

    How Much Power Is Required to Accelerate a Box with Friction Involved?

    Homework Statement A 5.0 kg box is sliding across the floor at 2.0 m/s when it is accelerated to 8.00 m/s in 1.8 s. If the coefficient of friction is .220 how much power is required to accelerate the box? m = 5.0 kg vi= 2.0 m/s vf = 8.00 m/s change in time = 1.8 s coefficient = .22...
  41. H

    Gravitational Potential Energy and Work Energy Theorem

    Just a little confused, when work is done on an object it's energy increases right? (i.e. Work done on object = Change P.E + Change K.E + Work done by object) So how come when gravitational force does work on an object(i.e. it falls) the potential energy decreases instead. So its like Work...
  42. D

    Work Energy Theorem problem: Dealing with Gravitational Force on a hanging man

    Homework Statement Spiderman, whose mass is 80.0 kg, is dangling on the free end of a 12.0 m long rope, the other end of which is fixed to a tree limb above. By repeatedly bending at the waist, he is able to get the rope in motion, eventually getting it to swing enough that he can reach a...
  43. K

    Work Energy Theorem with Kinetic Friction and External Work

    Homework Statement A crate of mass 10.0 kg is pulled up a rough incline with an initial speed of 1.5 m/s. The pulling force is 100 N parallel to the incline which makes an angle of 20.0° with the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction is .4 and the cart is pulled 5.00 m. e) What is...
  44. E

    Work with varying forces. Work energy theory

    Homework Statement A net force along the x-axis that has x-component F(x)= -12.0N + (0.300 N/m^2)x^2 is applied to a 3.70 kg object that is initially at the origin and moving in the -x-direction with a speed of 8.80 m/s . Homework Equations w= f * s w= ∫F(x)dx (varying forces)...
  45. A

    Finding velocity and work involving friction Work Energy

    Homework Statement There are three boxes stacked on top of each other. Each of the boxes has a mass of 250 kg. There is a chord attached to the bottom box applying a force of 7,000N. The coefficient of static and kinetic friction are: μs = .950 and μk = .900. What is the work net if the boxes...
  46. M

    Work Energy Theorem A Baseball thrown from a roof

    Homework Statement A baseball is thrown from the roof of 21.7 -tall building with an initial velocity of magnitude 13.2 and directed at an angle of 55.0 above the horizontal. What is the speed of the ball just before it strikes the ground? Use energy methods and ignore air resistance...
  47. M

    Understanding the Work Energy Theorem and its Application to Moving Electrons

    Homework Statement A moving electron has kinetic energy K1 . After a net amount of work W has been done on it, the electron is moving one-quarter as fast in the opposite direction. A) Find W in terms of K1 B) Does your answer depend o the final direction of the electrons motion? No...
  48. W

    Can Work-Energy Be Used to Determine Maximum Projectile Height?

    Please forgive me if the answer to this question is obvious, I studied Political Science for three years in undergrad before I realized 'real' science was far more rewarding. My question (not homework): I understand that Work-Energy can be used for projectile motion, if what you're after is...
  49. R

    What is the work and kinetic energy of a ball displaced by gravity?

    If a ball, mass 10kg, is displaced 5m by a gravitational acceleration or 10 m/s², what is the work done by the gravity, and what is the change in kinetic energy of the ball?
  50. S

    Work energy theorem question

    problem - a bullet of mass .012kg and horizontal speed 70meters per second strikes a block of mass 0.4 kg and instantly comes to rest with respect to the block. the block is suspended from the ceiling by means of thin wires . calculate the height through which it rises. attempt - total...
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