Conservation of energy questions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a conservation of energy problem involving a ball dropped into oil, where participants are analyzing the change in internal energy of the system comprising the ball and the oil. The problem includes calculations of potential and kinetic energy, as well as considerations of energy conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to calculate the change in internal energy using the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy. Some question the definition of internal energy and whether potential energy should be included in that definition.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the calculations and interpretations of energy changes. Some participants express confusion over the results, while others suggest that energy conservation implies no net change in energy. Multiple interpretations of internal energy are being discussed, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem involves specific heights and masses, and there is mention of significant figures and units, indicating a focus on precision in calculations. There is also a reference to the assumption that potential energy may not be included in the internal energy calculation.

jamesm113
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A ball of mass 11.2 g is dropped from rest at a height of 78 cm above the surface of oil that fills a barrel to a depth 49 cm. The ball reaches the bottom of the barrel with a speed of 1.48 m/s. What is the change in the internal energy of the system ball + oil?
So, I used the change in Eint = -change in U - change K.

For change in U, I did mg(Hf)-mg(Hi)=.0112(9.8)(0)-.0112(9.8)(.49) = -.0537824
For change in K, I did m(Vf)^2/2-m(Vi)^2 = .0112(1.48)^2-.0112(3.909987)^2 = -.07334655

I then subtracted did -change in U - change in K = --.0537824--.07334655 = .12712895. However, this is not the correct answer. :-/

Thanks!
 
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jamesm113 said:
A ball of mass 11.2 g is dropped from rest at a height of 78 cm above the surface of oil that fills a barrel to a depth 49 cm. The ball reaches the bottom of the barrel with a speed of 1.48 m/s. What is the change in the internal energy of the system ball + oil?
So, I used the change in Eint = -change in U - change K.

For change in U, I did mg(Hf)-mg(Hi)=.0112(9.8)(0)-.0112(9.8)(.49) = -.0537824
For change in K, I did m(Vf)^2/2-m(Vi)^2 = .0112(1.48)^2-.0112(3.909987)^2 = -.07334655

I then subtracted did -change in U - change in K = --.0537824--.07334655 = .12712895. However, this is not the correct answer.
Energy is conserved. There is no change in energy. Just a change in the form of energy. The answer is 0.

AM
 
0 did not work.
 
jamesm113 said:
0 did not work.
Then the question is assuming potential energy is not included in "internal" energy. What is your definition of internal energy?

AM
 
temperature rise, or kinetic energy in the wake of the ball, sound etc.
 
jamesm113 said:
temperature rise, or kinetic energy in the wake of the ball, sound etc.
Then the increase in energy of the oil + ball is the change in potential energy of the ball less its kinetic energy:

[tex]\Delta E = mg(h_{air} + h_{oil}) - \frac{1}{2}mv^2[/itex]<br /> <br /> The total height is 78 + 49 cm<br /> <br /> AM[/tex]
 
I did:
9.8*.0112(.78+.49)-.5(.0112)(1.48^2) = .1271289, the same answer i had gotten before.
 
jamesm113 said:
I did:
9.8*.0112(.78+.49)-.5(.0112)(1.48^2) = .1271289, the same answer i had gotten before.
In significant figures, this is .13 Also, what are the units?

AM
 
Units are in joules. We've never had to do sig figs before.
 

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