How Do Kinetic and Potential Energy Differ in Physics?

AI Thread Summary
Kinetic energy (KE) is represented by the formula (1/2)m(u^2), while potential energy (PE) is not equal to KE but rather related through the conservation of energy principle, where PE + KE remains constant. The discussion highlights the role of acceleration and centripetal force in understanding the relationship between these energy types. At the lowest point of motion, potential energy can be set to zero, simplifying the equation to show that KE equals (1/2)mv_0^2. The clarification provided emphasizes that the total mechanical energy is conserved, leading to a better understanding of the dynamics involved. This distinction between KE and PE is crucial in physics for analyzing motion and energy transformations.
girlwhoneedsmathhelp
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Homework Statement
I saw this in my school textbook and have no idea how they manage to get this equation :

The context is Circular Motion :
"A particle on a string, w(angular velocity) varies throughout the motion. As you saw earlier, the value of w at any instant is given by the energy equation, which in this case is :
(1/2)m(r^2)(w^2) + mgr(1+cos(theta)) = (1/2)m(u^2) where u is the speed of the particle at the lower point."

Thank You!
Relevant Equations
1/2mv^2
mrw^2
I know that (1/2)m(u^2) is KE and initially I thought this showed PE=KE but I don't think so anymore...
I believe this has something to do with acceleration and Centripetal force but I'm so so confused
 
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I can make sense of this if the configuration is like this (##+## and ##-## represent the sign of ##\cos\theta##):
20200726_141000.jpg
 
girlwhoneedsmathhelp said:
I thought this showed PE=KE
No, it shows PE+KE=constant.
It might be clearer if we use the subscript 0 for values at the lowest point and v for the speed at any instant. So their u is my v0.
Then we have rω=v, at all times, and PE+KE=##\frac 12mr^2\omega^2 + mgr(1+\cos(\theta))=\frac 12mv^2 + mgr(1+\cos(\theta))##.
At the lowest point, ##\theta=\pi##, the PE is zero (by choice) and the KE is ##\frac 12mv_0^2##, so ##\frac 12mr^2\omega^2 + mgr(1+\cos(\theta))=\frac 12mv_0^2##.
 
Ah yes I see thank you both!
 
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