Tagged Questions
0
votes
2answers
60 views
Why is potential energy negative when orbiting in a gravitational field?
I had to do a problem, and part of it was to find the mechanical energy of satellite orbiting around mars, and I had all of the information I needed. I thought the total mechanical energy would be the ...
0
votes
0answers
45 views
Work And Energy Question [closed]
$H = 3\text{ m}$,$m=2\text{ kg}$
The right side is rough.
I want to figure:
what is the coefficient of friction $\mu$?
How high and exceed the maximum return on the plane right body?
I know ...
-3
votes
0answers
36 views
A space vehicle travelling at a velocity of 1296 (km/h) separates by a controlled explosion into two sections of mass 7276 (kg) and 236 (kg) [closed]
A space vehicle traveling at a velocity of 1296 (km/h) separated by a controlled explosion into two sections of mass 7276 (kg) and 236 (kg). the two parts continue in the same direction with the ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
What is the total work done in this problem? [closed]
A 1800 kg trick airplane is 450 m in the air. At this point the plane takes a dive
with an initial speed of
42 m/s and accelerates to 64 m/s, dropping
a total distance of 120 m.
(a) Using the ground ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Energy needed to lift and bring down an object
A mass of 0.5 Kg needs to be moved from point A to another point (B) which is 1 meters above point A. The time for this movement should be 0.2 seconds, then the mass is kept at position B for another ...
0
votes
1answer
74 views
Simple harmonic oscillator system and changes in its total energy
Suppose I have a body of mass $M$ connected to a spring (which is connected to a vertical wall) with a stiffness coefficient of $k$ on some frictionless surface. The body oscillates from point $C$ to ...
0
votes
5answers
172 views
Why is momentum conserved (or rather what makes an object carry on moving infinitely)?
I know this is an incredibly simple question, but I am trying to find a very simple explanation to this other than the simple logic that energy is conserved when two items impact and bounce off each ...
2
votes
2answers
109 views
Elastic collision and spring
Bodies $A$ and $B$ are moving in the same direction in a straight line with a constant velocities on a frictionless surface. The mass and the velocity of $A$ are $2 \text{kg}$ and $10 \text{m/s}$. ...
2
votes
1answer
139 views
How to understand the work-energy theorem?
How to understand the work-energy theorem?
I took a short lecture on physics for engineering last week. The lecturer emphasized that the work done on an object will cause the kinetic energy change as ...
0
votes
1answer
69 views
Why work to change velocity from 0 to 20 km/h is less then from 20 to 40? [duplicate]
Imagine spaceship in vacuum with mass = 1. At beginning, it has velocity 0, and kinetic energy 0.
$$W_1 = 0$$
Then, it turns on its engine, and changes velocity from 0 to 20 (delta v = 20). It's ...
0
votes
2answers
68 views
Kinetic energy with no velocity
When a body is displaced against the gravitational field of force it gains potential energy. When we drop the body it begins to move downward with a certain amount of acceleration, and the potential ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
kinetic energy of the stone
Suppose we have a man traveling in an open car (roof open) with speed $v$ towards right (man faces right). He throws a stone (mass $m$) towards right, in his frame-forward with speed $V$.
In the ...
0
votes
2answers
85 views
Can there be energy with no force or energy with no power?
I think that both force (number of newtons) and power (p=ui(?)) implies that there is energy so we can't have force without energy and we can't have power without energy(?)
But can there be energy ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
How did scientists come up with Work? What was it fundamentally defined as? [duplicate]
Now before I get into the questions I want to make a couple of things clear, I know that there were similar questions like this and I've been through (what i think is) all of them and none of the ...
1
vote
2answers
137 views
Finding maximum speed in a work-energy problem
I have the following problem:
The Royal Gorge bridge over the Arkansas River is $310\text{ m}$ above
the river. A $57\text{ kg}$ bungee jumper has an elastic cord with an
unstressed length of ...
3
votes
3answers
117 views
When can one write $a=v \cdot dv/dx$?
Referring to unidimensional motion, it is obvious that it doesn't always make sense to write the speed as a function of position. Seems to me that this is a necessary condition to derive formulas ...
4
votes
2answers
122 views
Conservative Force and $1/r^2$
Does the inverse square law have anything to do with conservative behavior of the central forces?
1
vote
0answers
132 views
Potential energy of a spring
I have a little problem with the potential energy of a spring... I hope you can help me!
I have two coupled pendula, given by two masses $m$ fixed to two rigid bars (that haven't any mass) and with ...
5
votes
3answers
357 views
Kinetic energy with respect to different reference frames
I'm having problems understanding the following situation. Suppose two 1-tonne cars are going with the same orientations but opposite senses, each 50 km/h with respect to the road. Then the total ...
7
votes
3answers
536 views
Is the normal force a conservative force?
Most of the time the normal force doesn't do any work because it's perpendicular to the direction of motion but if it does do work, would it be conservative or non-conservative?
For example, consider ...
1
vote
2answers
179 views
Mechanics Question: Energy, Work and Power
I'm a pure mathematician by trade, and have been trying to teach myself A-level mechanics. (This is not homework, it is purely self-study.)
I've been working through the exercises and have come up ...
3
votes
2answers
95 views
Mass-Energy Equivalency
We call $E=mc^2$ the Mass-Energy Equivalency because it equates mass and energy together. But, by that same logic, shouldn't we call $E=\frac{1}{2}(mv^2)$, the equation of kinetic energy in Newtonian ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Intuitive understanding of the equation for kinetic energy [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why does kinetic energy increase quadratically, not linearly, with speed?
I know this is one of the easiest equations out there and I've used it for years but its still ...
0
votes
2answers
92 views
Energy problem: What's wrong here?
A car ($m=540\,\text{kg}$) engine, has a power of $60\,\text{kW}$. The static friction coefficient between wheels and road is $k=0.6$. How long does it take to reach the speed of ...
1
vote
2answers
78 views
Ice skater increase of energy
This may be a very basic question but I am not seeing how it works.
Consider the standard example of an ice skate rotating about his/her center of mass and pulling in his/her arms. The torque is zero ...
0
votes
1answer
291 views
Finding Rotational Kinetic Energy Of A Clock
The problem I am working on is:
"Big Ben, the Parliament tower clock in London, has an hour hand 2.70 m long with a mass of 300 kg, and a minute hand 4.20 m long with a mass of 100 kg (see figure ...
0
votes
1answer
95 views
How to get energy of collision if you know force of gravity of an object($m \rightarrow F=mg$)?
How to get energy of collision if you know force of gravity of an object($m \rightarrow F=mg$)?
You get energy of collision by kinetic energy $E_k= \frac{1}{2}mv^2$, but if you use just force of ...
14
votes
6answers
3k views
Is two cars colliding at 50mph the same as one car colliding into a wall at 100 mph?
I was watching a youtube video the other day where an economist said that he challenged his physics professor on this question back when he was in school. His professor said each scenario is the same, ...
7
votes
5answers
427 views
How can kinetic energy be proportional to the square of velocity, when velocity is relative?
Let's start with kinetic energy (from los Wikipedias)
The kinetic energy of an object is the energy which it possesses due to its motion. It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Elastic Collision Between Two Objects [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Elastic Collision And Momentum
I've already asked this question, Elastic Collision And Momentum, but I didn't find the answer particularly helpful--sorry, I don't mean ...
0
votes
1answer
318 views
Elastic Collision And Momentum
The question I am working on is, "Two blocks are free to slide along the friction-less wooden track shown below. The block of mass $m_1 = 4.98~kg$ is released from the position shown, at height $h = ...
0
votes
1answer
121 views
Momentum And Energy Problem
The information to the question is, "A $59.0~kg$ boy and his $38.0~kg$ sister, both wearing roller blades, face each other at rest. The girl pushes the boy hard, sending him backward with a velocity ...
0
votes
1answer
210 views
A Lawnmower Problem
For my physics class we were just given an exam that asked the following:
A 12Kg lawnmower is pushed with a constant force along the 30* handle with 80N.
Break the Forces into its vector ...
0
votes
1answer
205 views
How should I apply conservation of energy to this problem?
A block rests on a table. Then the block is pushed by a spring and slides across the table until it falls to the ground. The mass of the block is $1.30\text{ kg}$, the spring constant $550\text{ ...
1
vote
2answers
116 views
Kinetic Energy of Stone
If a stone is launched upward, of which is subject to gravity and air resistance, which of the following will have a greater kinetic energy? The stone at a point on its way up, or the stone at the ...
0
votes
1answer
423 views
Maximum Kinetic energy of a spring
The block in the figure below lies on a horizontal frictionless
surface and is attached to the free end of the spring, with a spring
constant of 35 N/m. Initially, the spring is at its relaxed ...
2
votes
3answers
296 views
Jumping on earth versus jumping on the moon
Given the following problem:
On the moon the acceleration due to gravity is $g_m = 1.62 m/s^2$. On earth, a person of mass $m = 80 kg$ manages to jump $1.4 m$. Find the height this person will ...
12
votes
6answers
2k views
Why is torque not measured in Joules?
Recently, I was doing my homework and I found out that Torque can be calculated using $\tau = rF$.
This means the units of torque are Newton meters. Energy is also measured in Newton meters which are ...
4
votes
5answers
1k views
Why there is a 1/2 in kinetic energy formula? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why is there a $\frac 1 2$ in $\frac 1 2 mv^2$?
Hèllo, I have a question about kinetic energy formula.
As you know, in kinetic energy formula, we have:
...
0
votes
1answer
281 views
Two Blocks of mass M1 and M2 are connected by a spring of force constant k [closed]
If Block 1 is elongated towards right to a distance $x_1$ and Block 2 is elongated towards left to a distance of $x_2$ simultaneously, what is the work done by the spring on each of these blocks ...
0
votes
1answer
88 views
Why are there two ways to solve for energy of a spring?
I can find the energy of a spring using $F = -kx$, or by using the formula $e = 1/2mv^2 + 1/2I\omega^2 + mgh + 1/2kx^2$. The first way, I get $mg/k = x$, but the second way, I get $2mg/k = x$. Which ...
0
votes
2answers
178 views
From where does the force/energy of action-reaction comes from? (Newton's Third Law of Motion)
I was wondering, from where does the opposite force and thus energy comes from when we apply force.
For example, lets say there are two persons (P1 and P2) on the universe, and no force is applied to ...
1
vote
3answers
108 views
Carrying water on person, or on the frame when bicycling
So, the question is as follows:
What is the difference in work exerted by the rider in the two following scenarios?
a) Rider + bike. Water carried in a holder on the frame
b) Rider + bike. Water ...
0
votes
2answers
354 views
From knowing just the change in kinetic energy, can we find the friction force and engine power?
I understand this topic well enough to get all the task done because they aren't very creative. But for my exam I think I should have this clear.
During the acceleration the force from the engine is ...
1
vote
1answer
118 views
Is energy “destroyed” when walking?
Conservation of energy states energy can't be destroyed, but isn't energy used up when walking in a straight line? If your not walking up a slope, kinetic energy isn't converted to gravitational ...
3
votes
1answer
334 views
I have a slight problem understanding the concept of “work”?
What I understand is that work is not the same as a car using gas or a crane lifting a car high up into the air. Let's use the crane as an example. And let me write out a few lines from the book.
...
0
votes
1answer
95 views
Is it safe for astronaut to do this “dangerous” movement?
So, if the astronaut is working outside the space station in thew space, could he not tie himself onto the space station and if he is going further away of the space station, i think he could just ...
4
votes
3answers
492 views
Why do we need the quantity momentum?
Why do we need the quantity Momentum in physics when we have the quantities like Force and Energy? Isn't it possible to substitute the usage of Momentum with equivalent of Force and Energy?
0
votes
1answer
122 views
Does friction act in the same way in different directions?
A physics textbook is launched up a rough incline with a kinetic energy of $X$ joules. When the book comes momentarily to rest near the top of the incline, it has only gained ($X-20$) joules of ...
1
vote
2answers
556 views
Why is there a $\frac 1 2$ in $\frac 1 2 mv^2$?
For elastic collisions of n particles, we know that momentum in the three orthogonal directions are independently conserved:$$ \frac{d}{dt}\sum\limits_i^n m_iv_{ij} =0,\quad j=1,2,3$$
From this, it ...
