Understanding Energy & Work: Seeking Help on Physics Theory

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between energy and work, particularly in the context of physics theory. Participants explore various equations and concepts related to kinetic and potential energy, work, and the forces involved, including both conservative and non-conservative forces. The scope includes theoretical understanding and practical applications relevant to electric charges and falling objects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a comprehensive set of equations relating energy and work, indicating a lack of understanding of the underlying theory.
  • Another participant introduces a specific equation related to uniformly accelerating objects, suggesting a connection between work and kinetic energy.
  • There is a mention of the work-energy theorem, which states that the work done on a particle equals the change in its kinetic energy, and that for conservative forces, work relates to potential energy.
  • Some participants express confusion about the complexity of the concepts and request clarification on the underlying theory of Newtonian physics.
  • A participant references a website for additional resources on work and energy, indicating a desire for further learning materials.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the fundamental relationship between energy and work, but there is no consensus on the specific equations or the clarity of the underlying theory. Multiple viewpoints and requests for clarification remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of understanding and familiarity with the concepts, indicating that assumptions about prior knowledge may differ. The discussion includes requests for foundational theory and equations, suggesting that some participants may not have a complete grasp of the material.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals seeking to understand the relationship between energy and work in physics, particularly those looking for foundational concepts and equations related to kinetic and potential energy.

luis_alonzo
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This is my first attempt seeking help on a forum so i hope its in the right place and i did look for similar questions but couldn't find any.

How does energy relate to work?
I have a couple of equations on my book but if you guys could like put here all the equations about energy and work. i know that probably includes a lot. I am studying electric charges, planets, and the more common stuff like falling objects and such.
what I am looking for is equations that relate kinetic and potencial energy to work and how does work relates to the net force of conservative and non conservative forces. i don't know a whole much of physics so if anyone could elaborate a litle on this i would appreciate greatly. i do have a basic understanding of math and calculus but i just don't get the theory involving this subject.
Thank you in advance.
 
Last edited:
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Hi Luis,

You can learn about energy by starting with the expression x=.5at^2
(The location of an object accelerating uniformly for a time t)

Next multiply both sides of the equation by a. This gives

ax=.5(at)(at) where you know that at=v because the acceleration is
constant.

So ax=.5v^2

Notice that time is not in this equation. That's important.
Also notice that the left side is called "work"
The right side is callled "kinetic energy"

If the acceleration is not constant then you replace ax with adx but
you've already learned the foundation.
 
thanks, still if anyone could give me a set of equations that i could use to solve execises. i don't mean to sound lazy because i have looked and its either very complicated to understand or not a big help.
thanks.
 
Exactly what do you find complicated?
 
luis_alonzo said:
How does energy relate to work?
[tex]\text{Energy} = \text{Work}[/tex]

AM
 
its nothing specific, or rather its a lot of things, but they mostly relate to work. Maybe what I am asking for isn't simply stated but i guess i wanted a kind of an underlying theory.
 
And WHAT is the underlying "theory" in Newtonian physis?
What are the basic laws?
 
luis_alonzo said:
How does energy relate to work?
By the work energy theorem which states that the work done on a particle equals the change in kinetic energy of that particle. The work done on a particles which are acted upon for a conservative force equals the negative change of potential energy. The sum of the potential and kinetic energy for a conservative system is a constant of motion.
I have a couple of equations on my book but if you guys could like put here all the equations about energy and work. i know that probably includes a lot. I am studying electric charges, planets, and the more common stuff like falling objects and such.
See
http://www.geocities.com/physics_world/sr/work_energy.htm

Pete
 

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