Why does my textbook say the KE acquired by an object is m to the power zero?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of kinetic energy (KE) and its relationship with mass in the context of a physics problem. Participants are examining a statement from a textbook that suggests the kinetic energy acquired by an object is proportional to mass raised to the power of zero, which contrasts with the common understanding that KE is proportional to mass.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between mass, force, and kinetic energy, questioning how changes in mass affect KE when force and distance are held constant. Some suggest using numerical examples to clarify the relationship.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants actively engaging in clarifying the implications of mass on kinetic energy. Some guidance has been offered regarding the dependencies of other quantities on mass, and there is a recognition of the complexity involved in the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on understanding how kinetic energy changes with mass under specific conditions, and participants are encouraged to consider the implications of fixed force and distance in their reasoning.

Rongeet Banerjee
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Homework Statement
The kinetic energy acquired by a mass m in travelling distance d, starting from rest,under the action of a constant force is directly proportional to
1.m
2.m to the power 0
3.m to the power 0.5
4.m to the power -0.5
Relevant Equations
1/2m(v² -u²)=F*d
F=m*a
v²-u²=2a*d
Initial velocity u=0
Let Final velocity be v
Then, KE acquired by the object=1/2mv²
So the answer must be option1 i.e. m¹
But my textbook says the answer is- m to the power zero.Please explain this discrepancy.
 
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Rongeet Banerjee said:
Homework Statement:: The kinetic energy acquired by a mass m in traveling distance d, starting from rest,under the action of a constant force is directly proportional to
1.m
2.m to the power 0
3.m to the power 0.5
4.m to the power -0.5
Relevant Equations:: 1/2m(v² -u²)=F*d
F=m*a
v²-u²=2a*d

Initial velocity u=0
Let Final velocity be v
Then, KE acquired by the object=1/2mv²
So the answer must be option1 i.e. m¹
But my textbook says the answer is- m to the power zero.Please explain this discrepancy.
Your answer says that the greater the mass the greater the kinetic energy. Is this what you mean?

How do you interpret the book's answer?
 
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Rongeet Banerjee said:
Homework Statement:: The kinetic energy acquired by a mass m in traveling distance d, starting from rest,under the action of a constant force is directly proportional to
1.m
2.m to the power 0
3.m to the power 0.5
4.m to the power -0.5
Relevant Equations:: 1/2m(v² -u²)=F*d
F=m*a
v²-u²=2a*d

Initial velocity u=0
Let Final velocity be v
Then, KE acquired by the object=1/2mv²
So the answer must be option1 i.e. m¹
But my textbook says the answer is- m to the power zero.Please explain this discrepancy.
You must look at how the KE changes if the mass changes, assuming that the force and distances remain the same. How does the value of the KE change if you change the mass but keep F and d the same?

If it is not clear, try with some number, say F=10 N and d=20 meters. Assume m= 4 kg. What is the kinetic energy acquired? Now if you have a mass of 8kg, what will be the change of KE this time?
 
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Part of the issue seems to be in determining which other quantities are dependent on mass. For a fixed velocity, KE is indeed proportional to ##m##. But in this problem, the acceleration and by extension the velocity after any given distance is also related to the mass.

You want to find a relation in which everything apart from KE (and ##m##) is independent of ##m##.
 
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Thank You verrrrrrrrry much nrqed 😁.
That was a fantastic explanation.Miraculous .I Love Physics...

1586639147301417761762.jpg
 
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PeroK said:
Your answer says that the greater the mass the greater the kinetic energy. Is this what you mean?

How do you interpret the book's answer?
Now I get it.Thank You for your help.
 
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etotheipi said:
Part of the issue seems to be in determining which other quantities are dependent on mass. For a fixed velocity, KE is indeed proportional to ##m##. But in this problem, the acceleration and by extension the velocity after any given distance is also related to the mass.

You want to find a relation in which everything apart from KE (and ##m##) is independent of ##m##.
Yeah
 
Uhmm ... E = F d. Neither F nor d depend on mass. QED.
 
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