Calculating Work Done by Force of Gravity on a 0.245 kg Ball

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The total work done by the force of gravity on a 0.245 kg ball thrown from an initial height of 2.20 m with an initial speed of 12.40 m/s is calculated using the work-energy principle. The gravitational force is defined as F = ma, where a is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²). The work done by gravity during the ball's descent is determined by the equation Work = Mass x Acceleration x Displacement, resulting in a total work of approximately 24.12 J. The gravitational potential energy lost as the ball falls is equivalent to the work done by gravity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law (F = ma)
  • Knowledge of gravitational potential energy (GPE = mgh)
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy equations (KE = 1/2 mv²)
  • Basic grasp of the work-energy principle
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the work-energy theorem in classical mechanics
  • Learn how to calculate gravitational potential energy in various scenarios
  • Explore the concept of energy conservation in projectile motion
  • Investigate the effects of air resistance on work done by gravity
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators looking for practical examples of work and energy concepts in action.

alfredo24pr
Messages
49
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A 0.245 kg ball is thrown straight up from 2.20 m above the ground. Its initial vertical speed is 12.40 m/s. A short time later, it hits the ground. Calculate the total work done by the force of gravity during that time.

Homework Equations



1/2m(v initial)2 + mg(h initial) = 1/2m(v final)2 +mg(h final)

The Attempt at a Solution



I know that y max equals v initial 2 /2g which is 7.84, but I do not know how to use the 2.2 which is the initial height
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Bump
help
 
A couple of ways to solve it I think, either
work = change in kinetic energy

or an easier way which is:
work = force x displacement (The displacement is 2.2m)
 
Last edited:
Mr.A.Gibson said:
A couple of ways to solve it I think, either
work = change in kinetic energy

or an easier way which is:
work = force x displacement (The displacement is 2.2m)

I have no idea how to find the force. F=ma
How do I get a?
 
alfredo24pr said:
I have no idea how to find the force. F=ma
How do I get a?

The force applied to the mass is gravity. Use F=ma, a is the acceleration due to gravity g=9.81m/s^2. Sometimes rounded to 10m/s^2

The displacement is 2.2m since this is the distance moved from start to finish.

Work = Mass x acceleration x displacement
= 0.245 x 9.81 x 2.2
 
Mr.A.Gibson said:
The force applied to the mass is gravity. Use F=ma, a is the acceleration due to gravity g=9.81m/s^2. Sometimes rounded to 10m/s^2

The displacement is 2.2m since this is the distance moved from start to finish.

Work = Mass x acceleration x displacement
= 0.245 x 9.81 x 2.2

That is mgh which is potential energy. The ball is thrown upward at 12.4 m/s
 
alfredo24pr said:
That is mgh which is potential energy. The ball is thrown upward at 12.4 m/s

You are correct gravitational potential energy GPE is another way of stating the work equation, i.e. they are the same.

The ball is throw upward at 12.4m/s, so if there is no air resistance then it will be traveling downwards past the same point also at -12.4m/s. So on the way up and the way down at this point the energy calculation is the same.
<br /> <br /> E = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 + m g h<br /> <br />

So the total workdone by gravity on the balls path up and down to the same point is zero. This is because it travels in the opposite direction with the same force acting on it.

So the only part we need to calculate is the potential energy lost as it falls the final 2.2m to the ground. This is the total work done by gravity.

Another way to approach it would be that we only look at the energy and the start when it is thrown and the energy at the end when it hits the ground. The energy transferred from GPE to KE in this situation is then the work done by gravity.

Hope this is clear
 
E= 1/2mv2 + mgh
E= 1/2 (0.245)(12.4)2 + 0.245*9.8*2.2
E= 18.8356 + 5.2822
E= 24.1178 J

but isn't that only the initial
I need Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf
I have Ki + Ui = 24.1 J, what am i missing?
 
Even thought E1=E2 is correct it isn't the easiest way to solve this ,but delta k =W is a better way.
You should calculate the final velocity to get Kf and then get the work
 
  • #10
madah12 said:
Even thought E1=E2 is correct it isn't the easiest way to solve this ,but delta k =W is a better way.
You should calculate the final velocity to get Kf and then get the work

How do I use the delta K way? please help.
 
  • #11
BUMP
help meee!
 
  • #12
double bump
HELP!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
935
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K