Work done and potential energy

AI Thread Summary
When work is done on an object, such as pushing a cart downhill, the potential energy of the object decreases as it moves to a lower height. This decrease in potential energy is associated with the positive work done by the external force, which converts potential energy into kinetic energy. The direction of work and energy is consistent; when work is done on an object, it results in a change in energy state. Thus, pushing a cart downhill increases its kinetic energy while decreasing its potential energy. Understanding this relationship clarifies how energy transformations occur in physical systems.
Amru123
Messages
13
Reaction score
2
When work done is positive How does potential energy decrease? Work done and energy cannot have different direction can they? Can someone help me out in understanding this properly ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There is also kinetic energy. What happens when you push a cart downhill?
 
Simon Bridge said:
There is also kinetic energy. What happens when you push a cart downhill?
I got it! Thanks!
 
  • Like
Likes Simon Bridge

Thread '1:1 versus 2:1 Mechanical Advantage debate'

The rope is tied into the person (the load of 200 pounds) and the rope goes up from the person to a fixed pulley and back down to his hands. He hauls the rope to suspend himself in the air. What is the mechanical advantage of the system? The person will indeed only have to lift half of his body weight (roughly 100 pounds) because he now lessened the load by that same amount. This APPEARS to be a 2:1 because he can hold himself with half the force, but my question is: is that mechanical...
View full post »

Thread 'Newton's first law?'

Some physics textbook writer told me that Newton's first law applies only on bodies that feel no interactions at all. He said that if a body is on rest or moves in constant velocity, there is no external force acting on it. But I have heard another form of the law that says the net force acting on a body must be zero. This means there is interactions involved after all. So which one is correct?
View full post »
Thread 'Beam on an inclined plane'

Thread 'Beam on an inclined plane'

Hello! I have a question regarding a beam on an inclined plane. I was considering a beam resting on two supports attached to an inclined plane. I was almost sure that the lower support must be more loaded. My imagination about this problem is shown in the picture below. Here is how I wrote the condition of equilibrium forces: $$ \begin{cases} F_{g\parallel}=F_{t1}+F_{t2}, \\ F_{g\perp}=F_{r1}+F_{r2} \end{cases}. $$ On the other hand...
View full post »

Similar threads

I How to interpret this definition of potential energy?
Replies
10
Views
2K
I Why does the main muscle use the most energy in body movements?
Replies
24
Views
2K
Gravitational potential energy -- Why is it always negative?
Replies
10
Views
3K
Conservative forces, Nonconservative forces and Potential Energy
Replies
9
Views
3K
Potential Energy: Rigorous Understanding & E=mc²
Replies
8
Views
2K
Why gravitational potential energy is a system property?
Replies
45
Views
3K
B Work and energy: conceptual doubt
Replies
2
Views
2K
B The work done by two objects on each other
2
Replies
55
Views
3K
How can we say we do work in walking up stairs or similar?
Replies
27
Views
4K
I Work-Energy Theorem for Moving Block and Spring System?
Replies
4
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top