- #1
PhyIsOhSoHard
- 158
- 0
I have a problem understanding whether a sign should be positive or negative when it comes to a spring.
In my book, there is an example with a glider attached to a spring, and the glider is moving away from the spring so it expands.
It says that in order to use the work-energy theorem, it has to be the work done by the spring on the glider, which is the negative of the following equation:
[itex]W=\frac{1}{2}mv_2^2-\frac{1}{2}mv_1^2[/itex]
Can somebody explain the "work done by the spring" and "work done on the spring"? How do I know which situation I have?
Why is the work negative in this situation?
And if the glider went the opposite direction, towards the spring, would that mean the work-energy theorem is positive?
In my book, there is an example with a glider attached to a spring, and the glider is moving away from the spring so it expands.
It says that in order to use the work-energy theorem, it has to be the work done by the spring on the glider, which is the negative of the following equation:
[itex]W=\frac{1}{2}mv_2^2-\frac{1}{2}mv_1^2[/itex]
Can somebody explain the "work done by the spring" and "work done on the spring"? How do I know which situation I have?
Why is the work negative in this situation?
And if the glider went the opposite direction, towards the spring, would that mean the work-energy theorem is positive?
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