Is Kinetic Energy Derived from an Integral and Work Done?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of kinetic energy and its relationship to work done, particularly in the context of mechanics and elastic potential energy. The original poster references Hooke's law and the energy stored in an elastic rope as a starting point for exploring the integral nature of kinetic energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to connect the derivation of elastic potential energy to the form of kinetic energy, questioning whether kinetic energy can also be derived from an integral related to work done. Some participants engage by discussing the differential work done and its integration with respect to velocity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring the mathematical relationships between work done and kinetic energy. Some guidance has been provided regarding the expression for differential work, but there is no explicit consensus on the connections being drawn.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is working within the framework of A-level Mechanics and is seeking clarification on the mathematical relationships involved, particularly regarding the assumptions and definitions related to work and energy.

RoryP
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Hi all,
I was doing an A-level Mechanics paper the other day and one of the quesitons was to show that, starting with Hookes law T=(lambda)(x)/(l), show that the energy stored in an elastic rope is (lambda)(e2)/(2l).
This was ok, I just said that energy stored would be equal to the sum of the work done stretching the rope a small distance δx and as δ tended to zero it would be dx. Which could be re-written as integral with limits e and 0 dx.
Which leads to the equation for elastic potential energy.
After doing this i realized that kinetic energy is in a similar form, i.e power of 2 and has a multiplying factor of 1/2 which leads me to my question, is 1/2mv2 the result of an integral? Has it also got something to do with work done? but with respect to v?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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dW = f*dx = m*a*dx = m*dv/dt*dx = m*v*dv ( since dx/dt = v)
Take the integration between 0 to v.
 
ok brilliant thanks! what is dW? respect to work done?
 
Yes.
 

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