Conservation of energy (true or false)

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the conservation of energy principles as applied to a train pulling a wagon and two balls on frictionless slopes. Key points include the assertion that the work done by the train is not zero due to Newton's third law, and that negative net work reduces kinetic energy. It is established that both balls, despite differing slope angles, reach the same speed at the bottom due to gravitational force being conservative. The formula W=F d cos theta is confirmed to apply only when force remains constant over distance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Newton's Third Law of Motion
  • Concept of Work and Energy
  • Understanding of Gravitational Forces
  • Basic Trigonometry for slope calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Newton's Third Law in various physical scenarios
  • Explore the concept of conservative forces and their impact on energy conservation
  • Learn about the mathematical derivation and applications of the work-energy theorem
  • Investigate the effects of different angles on gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy conversion
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of energy conservation and mechanics in real-world applications.

jumptheair
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



1.Consider a train that pulls a wagon. By Newton's third law, the wagon pulls on the train with an equal opposite force, therefore the work done by the train must be zero.

2.Negative net work done on an object always reduces the object's kinetic energy.

3.Two identical masses are placed on frictionless slopes at identical heights. The first slope makes an angle of 30deg with respect to the horizontal; the second slope makes an angle of 40deg. Both balls are released simultaneously. At the bottom of the slope, both balls have the same speed.

4.If the work done on an object by a force is zero, then either the force or the displacement must have zero magnitude.

5.The formula W=F d cos theta can be used only if the force is constant over the distance d.

Homework Equations



Conservation of Energy

The Attempt at a Solution



At least one of these are wrong. I don't know which one(s)
Please check and correct me. Thanks

1.False
2.False
3.False, (because mgx changes due to the difference in angle. Since f=ma, acceleration will not be the same.)
4.False, (it may be the direction that makes the W=0, for example an object falling where force nor displacement is zero but W=0.)
5.True
 
Physics news on Phys.org
jumptheair said:
At least one of these are wrong. I don't know which one(s)
Please check and correct me. Thanks

1.False
2.False
3.False, (because mgx changes due to the difference in angle. Since f=ma, acceleration will not be the same.)
4.False, (it may be the direction that makes the W=0, for example an object falling where force nor displacement is zero but W=0.)
5.True

3 is True. Gravity is a conservative force. All that matters is the change in height, not how you get there. So slope one will make the ball travel longer, but it will still have the same speed as ball 2. Now, the two balls will NOT get there at the same time, but when they do get there, they will have the same speed.

4 is True. Work is done by the Earth to pull the object in. W = F * D. F = gravity, D is how much it falls by.
 
Arr.. still wrong.. help is still needed
 
Last edited:
Why would 1. and 2. be false? Or are they true? HELP!
 

Similar threads

Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
55
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K