Kinetic energy and potential energy concept question

AI Thread Summary
Lifting a book at a constant speed results in constant kinetic energy (KE) while potential energy (PE) changes because work is done against gravity, increasing the book's height and thus its PE. Energy conservation does not require KE to equal PE; rather, it reflects the transformation of energy forms, such as when potential energy converts to kinetic energy during a fall. In an ideal emf source, no work is done on a test charge, leading to a constant KE while the potential energy increases, illustrating a different scenario where energy is conserved without direct work. The analogy highlights that in both cases, energy transformations occur, but the mechanisms differ based on the presence or absence of work. Understanding these concepts clarifies the relationship between kinetic and potential energy in various physical situations.
channel1
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i need a review. why does lifting a book at a constant speed result in a constant KE but changing PE? obviously KE = 1/2 mv^2 but I am looking for a conceptual answer. doesn't KE need to equal PE for energy to be conserved?

im in e&m right now and there's a statement in my book saying that the book situation is analogous to potential within an emf source. so W = 0 (work done on a test charge within an ideal emf source), U is increased, and KE is constant. but in the book analogy doesn't the book have to be moving in the +/- x direction for W = 0?

so to summarize i have two questions, (1) concerns how energy is conserved with a constant KE but changing U and (2) concerns how W = 0 if there is a changing U

please answer both questions in terms of the book analogy AND the emf source! thanks in advance :)
 
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channel1 said:
i need a review. why does lifting a book at a constant speed result in a constant KE but changing PE? obviously KE = 1/2 mv^2 but I am looking for a conceptual answer.
Lifting a book is a quite different situation to a falling book. :smile: In lifting it, you are doing work all the while, so you are increasing its potential energy by moving it higher.

doesn't KE need to equal PE for energy to be conserved?
For something falling, its PE is converted into KE. No extra work is being done on the system. One form of energy is being converted into the other. And that KE all gets wasted when the book hits the floor.
 
that makes sense but how is there zero work being done in an emf source yet there is a changing KE and static PE? :/ its almost like the falling book situation and lifting book situation combined...
 
strike that, reverse it :) changing PE, static KE
 
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