How does my book get ##\frac{1}{2}## by this derivation?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the derivation of the work-energy theorem for a free particle, specifically the equation \( W(A \rightarrow B) = \frac{1}{2} M v_B^2 - \frac{1}{2} M v_A^2 \). Participants clarify the integration process involving the line integral of force \( \vec{F} \) and the relationship between velocity \( \vec{v} \) and its derivative \( \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt} \). Key points include the legality of combining terms in the derivation and the origin of the factor of \( \frac{1}{2} \) in the final equation, which results from dividing by two during the integration process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector calculus, particularly line integrals.
  • Familiarity with Newton's second law, \( \vec{F} = M \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt} \).
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy formula, \( K = \frac{1}{2} M v^2 \).
  • Basic principles of calculus, including differentiation and integration.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the work-energy theorem in classical mechanics.
  • Learn about line integrals and their applications in physics.
  • Explore the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in detail.
  • Investigate the implications of the kinetic energy formula in various physical scenarios.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in classical mechanics, particularly those focusing on the work-energy principle and its mathematical derivations.

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TL;DR
A question about derivation of the formula of Work.
The integral is called the line integral of ##F## from ##A## to ##B##. The work done in the displacement by the force is defined as,

##W(A\rightarrow B)=\int_A^B \vec{F}.dr##

where the limits ##A## and ##B## stand for the positions ##r_A## and ##r_B##.

We now return to the free particle subject
to forces. We want to generalize ##Eq. (5.6)##, which we here repeat,

##\frac{1}{2}Mv^2-\frac{1}{2}Mv_0^2=\vec{F}.(y-y_0)##

to include applied forces that vary in direction and magnitude but are known as functions of position throughout the region where the motion occurs. By substituting ##\vec{F}=M\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}## into ##Eq. (5.12)##, where ##\vec{F}## is the vector sum of the forces, we find for the work done by these forces,

##W(A\rightarrow B)=M\int_A^B \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.d\vec{r}##

Now

##d\vec{r}=\frac{d\vec{r}}{dt}.dt=\vec{v}dt##

So that

##W(A\rightarrow B)=M\int_A^B (\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.v)dt##

where the limits ##A## and ##B## now stand for the times ##t_A## and ##t_B## when the particle is at the positions designated by ##A## and ##B##. But we can rearrange the integrand,

##\frac{d}{dt}v^2=\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{v}.\vec{v})=2\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v}##

Question 1: In the above equation, how could we gather ##\vec{v}## because one of them is in the derivation (##\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}##) and another one is free (##\vec{v}##) and together they do ##\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{v}.\vec{v})##. Is it legal to do?

so that

##2\int_A^B(\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v})dt=\int_A^B(\frac{d}{dt}v^2)dt=\int_A^Bd(v^2)=(v_B^2-v_A^2)##

Question 2: Here, there were ##2## in the first equation but where is it in the second equation? It's confusing...

On substitution in ##Eq. (5.14)## we have an important result:

##W(A\rightarrow B)=\int_A^B \vec{F}.d\vec{r}=\frac{1}{2}Mv_B^2-\frac{1}{2}Mv_A^2##

for the free particle. This is a generalization of ##Eq. (5.6)##. We recognize,

##K=\frac{1}{2}Mv^2##

Thanks...
 
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n3pix said:
##\frac{d}{dt}v^2=\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{v}.\vec{v})=2\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v}##

Question 1: In the above equation, how could we gather ##\vec{v}## because one of them is in the derivation (##\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}##) and another one is free (##\vec{v}##) and together they do ##\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{v}.\vec{v})##. Is it legal to do?

In general:

##\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{u}.\vec{v})= \vec u \cdot \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt} + \frac{d\vec{u}}{dt} \cdot \vec{v}##

Hence:

##\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{v}.\vec{v})= 2\vec v \cdot \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}##

n3pix said:
so that

##2\int_A^B(\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v})dt=\int_A^B(\frac{d}{dt}v^2)dt=\int_A^Bd(v^2)=(v_B^2-v_A^2)##

Question 2: Here, there were ##2## in the first equation but where is it in the second equation? It's confusing...

On substitution in ##Eq. (5.14)## we have an important result:

##W(A\rightarrow B)=\int_A^B \vec{F}.d\vec{r}=\frac{1}{2}Mv_B^2-\frac{1}{2}Mv_A^2##

for the free particle. This is a generalization of ##Eq. (5.6)##. We recognize,

##K=\frac{1}{2}Mv^2##

Thanks...

I don't understand your question here. That's a just a straight integration of the above equation.
 
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PeroK said:
In general:

##\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{u}.\vec{v})= \vec u \cdot \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt} + \frac{d\vec{u}}{dt} \cdot \vec{v}##

Hence:

##\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{v}.\vec{v})= 2\vec v \cdot \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}##
I don't understand your question here. That's a just a straight integration of the above equation.

I mean, in this quote;

n3pix said:
##W(A\rightarrow B)=M\int_B^A (\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v})dt##

where the limits ##A## and ##B## now stand for the times ##t_A## ##t_A## when the particle is at the positions designated by ##A## and ##B##. But we can rearrange the integrand,

##\frac{d}{dt}{\vec{v}}^2=\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{v}.\vec{v})=2\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v}##

In the integral (##W(A\rightarrow B)=M\int_B^A (\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v})dt##) the integrand is ##(\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v})## and it can not be equal to ##(\frac{d}{dt}{\vec{v}}^2)##. But the derivation says that it is equal to this. Check it again please.

In my second question, I mean that

##2\int_A^B(\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v})dt=\int_A^B(\frac{d}{dt}v^2)dt=\int_A^Bd(v^2)=(v_B^2-v_A^2)##

In this integral, first stage has ##2## (##2\int_A^B(\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v})dt##) but in the second stage it doesn't have ##2## (##=\int_A^B(\frac{d}{dt}v^2)dt##) Where the ##2## gone?

And I want to add another question.

In the last equation (##W(A\rightarrow B)=\int_A^B \vec{F}.d\vec{r}=\frac{1}{2}Mv_B^2-\frac{1}{2}Mv_A^2##) Where the ##\frac{1}{2}## came from? I can't see any ##\frac{1}{2}## in the all of the derivation.

Thanks again.
 
n3pix said:
In this integral, first stage has ##2## (##2\int_A^B(\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}.\vec{v})dt##) but in the second stage it doesn't have ##2## (##=\int_A^B(\frac{d}{dt}v^2)dt##) Where the ##2## gone?

Just look at the previous equation:

##\frac{d}{dt}(\vec{v}.\vec{v})= 2\vec v \cdot \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}##

That's where the ##2## comes from!

The final ##\frac 1 2## arises simply by dividing both sides of the equation by ##2##.
 
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