Work and potential energy

  • #1
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Is less work done in rolling the stone than lifting it? I think so that as gravity is conservative field therefore work done should be equal. But rolling could mean rotational kinetic energy so please clarify this?
 
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  • #2
Can you elaborate? Are you rolling the stone across a smooth, flat surface, up a hill, or somewhere else?
 
  • #3
Drakkith said:
Can you elaborate? Are you rolling the stone across a smooth, flat surface, up a hill, or somewhere else?
It is being rolled on smooth incline.
 
  • #4
Well, the work done against gravity is the same in both cases. However the work done in accelerating the boulder will probably be different. When lifting it, you just have to accelerate it upwards and there's no rolling.
 
  • #5
Drakkith said:
However the work done in accelerating the boulder will probably be different. When lifting it, you just have to accelerate it upwards and there's no rolling.
Assuming that the stone begins and ends at rest, any difference in acceleration at the beginning will be made up for at the end, when the deceleration helps it to finish rolling to the top.. So the work should be identical even considering differences in acceleration.
 
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What is work?

Work is a scientific term that refers to the transfer of energy from one object to another. It is typically measured in joules (J) and is calculated by multiplying the force applied to an object by the distance it moves.

What is potential energy?

Potential energy is a type of stored energy that an object has due to its position or condition. It can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, when the object moves or changes.

How is work related to potential energy?

Work and potential energy are closely related concepts. When work is done on an object, its potential energy can change. For example, lifting a book off the ground requires work, which increases its potential energy as it is raised higher.

What is the equation for calculating work?

The equation for calculating work is W = F * d, where W represents work, F represents force, and d represents distance. This equation shows that the amount of work done is directly proportional to the force applied and the distance the object moves.

How can potential energy be converted into other forms of energy?

Potential energy can be converted into other forms of energy through various processes. For example, when a roller coaster car at the top of a hill has a high amount of potential energy, it can be converted into kinetic energy as it moves down the hill. Potential energy can also be converted into thermal energy through friction or into electrical energy through generators.

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