[Work/Energy] a particle inside a field

  • Thread starter Thread starter BitterX
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Field Particle
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the work done by the net force on a particle moving in a potential field with damping. The potential energy is given by U = -kx + c, and the damping force is F = -b*v. The participant is uncertain about the work done, suggesting it could be infinite due to the force acting indefinitely, but acknowledges that the force diminishes over time. For the power of the damping force when acceleration is zero, it is concluded that P = k^2/b, derived from the relationship between force and velocity. The conversation emphasizes the application of the work-energy theorem and integration of net force to solve the problem.
BitterX
Messages
35
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



a particle is moving in a field where it's potential energy is U= -kx+c , c is a constant

it is also experiencing a damping force F=-b\vec{v}
it has an initial velocity v=V_0\hat{y}

d. what is the work done by the net force throughout all of the particle's movment?
e. what is the power of the damping force when the acceleration of the particle is 0?


Homework Equations



in first the rest of the questions I have found :
the velocity:
v_x=-\frac{k}{b} (1-e^{-{frac{b}{m}t})
v_y= V_0 e^{-\frac{b}{m}t} \hat{y}

the velocity when a=0:
v_max = -\frac{k}{b}\hat{x}

the net force
F=ke^{-\frac{b}{m}t}\hat{x} -bV_0e^{-\frac{b}{m}t}\hat{x}

The Attempt at a Solution


d. on one hand the force acts "until" t=\infty so it should be infinity...
on the other hand the force will be very small so I'm positive it isn't infinity :/

e. the damping force at a=0 or t=\infty will be quite obviously
F=k\hat{x}
(that way it will be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction of the force causing the particle to move)

but we need the power so it's basically
P=Work per second=F\cdot \vec{v_max}
which is
P=\frac{k^2}{b}
am I wrong?
I used the velocity because it's how much x is changed per second - it ok by units, but is it right?
Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
you could use the work-energy theorem, or just integrate the net force on the path of the particle..
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top