# Question about maximum Kinetic Energy? KE & Work problem?

1. Oct 21, 2012

### nchin

Question about maximum Kinetic Energy?? KE & Work problem??

A 1.5 kg block is initially at rest on a horizontal frictionless surface when a horizontal force along an x-axis
is applied to the block. The force is given by F(x) = (2.5 - x^(2))i N, where x is in meters and the initial position of the
block is x = 0.

a) What is the kinetic energy of the block as it passes through x = 2.0 m ?

b) What is the maximum kinetic energy of the block between x = 0 and x = 2.0 m ?

I understand how to solve a but its part b that confuses me.

Solution Guide states:
"KE is maximized when F = 0.
F = 0 when 2.5 - x^(2) = 0
x = √ 2.5 = 1.6 m
Thus KE is maximized at x = 1.6 m "

But why is KE maximized when F = 0?? Someone please explain to me.

Thanks!

2. Oct 21, 2012

### bossman27

Re: Question about maximum Kinetic Energy?? KE & Work problem??

So I assume you did (a) by integrating F(x) over [0,2]. This should give you the intuition that $Work = \int F(x) = \Delta KE = KE$

Now to find a maximum, you simply need to take the derivative and set = to 0. If take the derivative of KE, we're back to F(x)!

You'll notice that when x > 1.6, F(x) is negative. This means that once we're past x=1.6, the force becomes negative, or starts pulling instead of pushing. Of course, this subtracts from the KE of the block. In short, the maximum KE occurs at the instant the force goes from positive to negative.