General Physics 1| Module 4 1

Saint Columban College

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
7016 Pagadian City

S T U D E N T ’ S L E A R N I N G M O D U L E

Student’s Name: ___________________________ Date: ____________________

Grade & Section:______________ Subject: _________________

Content Standard:
The learners demonstrate an understanding of:
✓ Conservative and non-conservative forces
✓ Gravitational potential energy
✓ Elastic potential energy
✓ Equilibria and potential energy diagrams
✓ Energy Conservation, Work, and Power Problems

Learning Competencies:
✓ Relate the gravitational potential energy of a system or object to the configuration of the
system.
✓ Relate the elastic potential energy of a system or object to the configuration of the system.
✓ Explain the properties and effects of conservative forces.
✓ Solve problems involving work, energy, and power.
Learning Contents:
IV. Kinematics: Motion in Two Dimensions
Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration for Motions in Two Dimensions and Three
Dimensions
Projectile Motion, Circular Motion, and Relative Motion
V. Newton’s Laws of Motion and their Applications
Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
Applications of Newton’s Laws of Motion
Applications of Newton’s Laws to Single-body and Multibody Dynamics

Learning Resources:
1. Caintic, H. (2017). General Physics I for Senior High School. Quezon City, Philippines:
C&E Publishing Inc.
2. David, O. (2020). General Physics 1 (Second ed.). Makati City, Philippines: DIWA
LEARNING SYSTEMS INC
3. Young, H.D., Freedman, R.A., & Ford, A.L. (2011). University Physics (13th ed.). San
Francisco California: Pearson Education Inc.

Core Values:
➢ Determination ➢ Patience
➢ Open-mindedness ➢ Scientific Intuition
➢ Objectivity
 General Physics 1| Module 4 2

Panagdait sa Diyos ug sa Tanang Kabuhatan!

Welcome to the fourth module of General
Physics 1. In this module, you will learn the
distinction between conservative and non-
conservative forces, and how to solve
problems in which both kinds of forces act
on a moving body. If you have any inquiries,
please refer from the contact information
provided below.

THE SCIENCE TEACHERS

Ms. Cherry A. Potestas, LPT, M.A.
Biological Science
Science Laboratory Coordinator

FB Profile Link:
https://www.facebook.com/cherry.potestas

Email: potestascherry25@sccpag.edu.ph

Contact #: 09661526252
 General Physics 1| Module 4 3

Ms. Quennie S. Broca

General Physics/Physical Science
STEM 11 Coordinator

FB Profile Link:
https://www.facebook.com/quennie.broca.5/

Email: quenieebroca@sccpag.edu.ph

Contact #: 09563304989

Ms. Ivy Banquiao

General Chemistry

FB Profile Link:
https://www.facebook.com/ivy.banquiao

Email: ivyestanerobanquiao@gmail.com

Contact #: 09639777019

Mr. Mark Lyndon Borongan

General Physics

FB Profile Link:
https://www.facebook.com/mathcomborongan

Email: markborongan.gs@sccpag.edu.ph

Contact #: 09317179056
 General Physics 1| Module 4 4

To check your prior knowledge about the topic, and to solicit the questions that you
want to know about it, fill in the Know and Want to know components of the Know-Want to know-
Learned (KWL) chart properly and correctly. For the Know component, you may write word/s or
sentence. For the want to know component, state your responses in interrogative or question form.
You may list as many responses as you want for each component.
KWL Chart

Topic Know Want to Know Learned

Gravitational
Potential
Energy

Guide Questions:
1. Based on what you have written on the Know component of the chart, what do you know
about Gravitational Potential Energy?
2. If you were to think of a question that you want to ask about Gravitational Potential
Energy, what question would that be?

Module No. 4.1 Gravitational Potential Energy of a

System
Time Frame: 1 Week

When we wind a spring mechanism, we do work. The spring acquires a type of energy
which can be used to do work. Energy can be stored in an object, like the wound spring, to be able
to do work. Energy can also be stored in an object by virtue of its position. For example, a box at
a tabletop has potential energy due to its position. A force was exerted to it to be able to put it in
that position. The product of that force and its position or height to which it was brought is equal
to the work done on it. This work stores gravitational potential energy to the body.
If we want to elevate an object against the Earth’s gravity, we have to do work on the
object in bringing it to the elevated position. The object, as a result, gains potential energy. This is
called gravitational potential energy. Other examples of gravitational potential energy stored in an
object are water in an elevated reservoir, an elevated ram or pile driver, and a boulder on top of a
mountain. All of these can-do works if released from their elevated positions. The work done in
elevating an object is equal to the gravitational potential energy stored in the elevated object. The
 General Physics 1| Module 4 5

work done is equivalent to the weight of the elevated object multiplied by the distance to where it
is elevated. We therefore define gravitational potential energy (𝐺𝑃𝐸) mathematically as
𝐺𝑃𝐸 = 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 where 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑤 = 𝑚𝑔, so
𝐺𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
The illustration in Figure 5 shows books placed on different locations in a book shelf.

Figure 1 Two books on different locations in a bookshelf (Source: https://engineerfix.com/what-is-potential-energy/ Retrieved

August 4, 2021)

The gravitational potential energy (𝐺𝑃𝐸), 𝑚𝑔ℎ, depends on the weight 𝑚𝑔 and the
height ℎ of the object. Potential energy is independent of the path taken to lift the book from the
ground to a certain height ℎ.
Example
Find the gravitational potential energy of the books in at different heights
(ℎ1 = 3 𝑚, ℎ2 = 2 𝑚, ℎ3 = 1 𝑚) given that the weight of each book is 10 𝑁.
Given: weight of each book = 10 𝑁
ℎ1 = 3 𝑚
ℎ2 = 2 𝑚
ℎ3 = 1 𝑚
Required to find: 𝐺𝑃𝐸1 , 𝐺𝑃𝐸2 , and 𝐺𝑃𝐸3
Solution: The formula to be used is 𝐺𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
𝐺𝑃𝐸1 = 10 𝑁(3 𝑚) = 30 𝐽
𝐺𝑃𝐸2 = 10 𝑁 (2 𝑚) = 20 𝐽
𝐺𝑃𝐸3 = 10 𝑁 (1 𝑚) = 10 𝐽

There are many forms of energy. Energy is the capacity to do work. Energy can be
changed from one form to another form. We have already observed in many cases that energy is
changed from one form to another, but the amount of energy always stays the same. It is because
 General Physics 1| Module 4 6

energy cannot be created nor destroyed. This is called the principle of conservation of energy
which states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed; it is just converted from one form to
another.
Let us consider an example. A diver uses 5,000 𝐽 of chemical energy to climb a
diving board. This means he stored 5,000 𝐽 of gravitational potential energy (𝐺𝑃𝐸) and zero
kinetic energy (𝐾𝐸). As he dives and falls down, his 𝐺𝑃𝐸 is converted to an equal amount of 𝐾𝐸.
At the ground level, all of his 𝐺𝑃𝐸 is converted to 𝐾𝐸. Note that the total amount of 𝐺𝑃𝐸 and 𝐾𝐸
the diver possesses during the process is always equal to 5,000 𝐽/
When a body freely falls from a certain height, its total energy is equal to its GPE at
its highest position, meaning 𝐾𝐸 is zero at this point. The moment it leaves its highest position, it
begins to acquire 𝐾𝐸 which is a conversion from 𝐺𝑃𝐸. See illustration in Figure 6

Figure 2 A body falling from a certain heigh (Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/1455069/4/images/26/Falling+objects.jpg

Retrieved August 04, 2021)

Example
Determine the energy of a swinging pendulum bob at its highest position, at the middle position,
and at its lowest position which will be considered the reference level. The length of the string is
1 𝑚 and the height of its position is 1.5 𝑚. The mass 𝑚 of the bob is 0.20 𝑘𝑔.
Given: 𝑚 = 0.20 𝑘𝑔
ℎ=1𝑚
Required to find: Total energy at the highest position, at the middle position, and at the lowest
position
Solution:
Total energy at the highest position
= 𝐺𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
= 0.20 𝑘𝑔 (9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )(1 𝑚)
= 1.96 𝐽
 General Physics 1| Module 4 7

Since the total energy of the system must be the same,

Total energy at the middle position = 2 𝐽
Total energy at the lowest position = 2𝐽

❖ Elastic Potential Energy of a System

We have discussed earlier that an object brought to some position above the surface
of the Earth has gravitational potential energy. So, when we allow it to fall, like a ram in a pile
driver, it can do work. On the other hand, a spring, when compressed or stretched, also has a stored
potential energy. We refer to this as elastic potential energy. A compressed or a stretched spring
can do work on an object which is attached to it. An example of a stretched or a compressed spring
doing work on an object is a door-closing gadget that we use with our screen doors. When an open
door is released, the compressed spring expands and does the work of closing the door. See Figure
7 below.

Figure 3 A door-closing unit (Source: http://demo.webassign.net/ebooks/cj6demo/art/images/c10/nw0396-n.gif Retrieved

August 04, 2021)

Let us find an expression for elastic potential energy. We have determined the work
done of the spring on an object. Consider a spring shown in Figure 8 below.

Figure 4 A stretched spring

 General Physics 1| Module 4 8

In the spring shown, the initial position is 𝑥𝑖 and the final position is 𝑥𝑓 after the
object is released. The work done by the spring is 𝑊 = (𝐹 cos 𝜃 )𝑑 where 𝐹, the spring force, is
equal to −𝑘𝑥. Since the spring is stretched from 𝑥𝑖 to 𝑥𝑓 , the magnitude of the spring force changes
from 𝑘𝑥𝑖 to 𝑘𝑥𝑓 . Since the magnitude 𝐹 is changing, to account for it, we take the average of the
1
two forces since the dependence is linear, so 𝐹 = 2 (𝑘𝑥𝑓 + 𝑘𝑥𝑖 ). The work done by the average

force is 𝑊 = (𝐹 cos 𝜃 )𝑑.

1
Substituting 𝐹, we get 𝑊 = 2 (𝑘𝑥𝑓 + 𝑘𝑥𝑖 ) cos 𝜃 (𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 )
1 1
𝑊 = 2 𝑘𝑥𝑓 2 − 2 𝑘𝑥𝑖 2

𝜃 is zero (0°) since the spring points in the same direction as the force. We can now
define 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 as the energy that a spring has when stretched or compressed. In mathematical
1
form, 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = 2 𝑘𝑥 2 .

Example
The force constant of a spring is 5 𝑁⁄𝑐𝑚. What is the 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 of the spring when
it is stretched a distance of 10 𝑐𝑚?
Given: 𝑘 = 5 𝑁⁄𝑐𝑚
𝑥 = 10 𝑐𝑚
Required to find: 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐
1
Solution: 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = 2 𝑘𝑥 2
1
𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = (5 𝑁⁄𝑐𝑚)(10 𝑐𝑚)2
2
1𝑚
𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = 250 𝑁 ∙ 𝑐𝑚 × 100 𝑐𝑚

𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = 2.5 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 𝑜𝑟 2.5 𝐽

Directions: Complete the S.T.O.P Summary

We Started the lesson__________________________________________________________

the Topic was________________________________________________________________
Our Opportunities for practice were_______________________________________________

the Purpose of the lesson was____________________________________________________

 General Physics 1| Module 4 9

Module No. 4.2 Conservative and Non-Conservative

Forces
Time Frame: 1 Week
Learning Targets: At the end of the lesson, I can:

✓ Explain the properties and effects of conservative forces;

✓ Identify conservative and non-conservative forces;
✓ Express the conservation of energy verbally and mathematically;
✓ Determine if energy conservation is application in a given example before and
after a description of a physical system; and
✓ Solve problems involving work, energy, and power.

❖ Conservative Forces
Gravitational force has an interesting property. When an object is moved from one
position to another by a gravitational force, the work done does not depend on the path taken by
the force moving the object. Let us say, a woman is hiking with a weight of 500 𝑁. See illustration
in Figure 9 below.

Figure 5 The work done by the gravitational force is the same for all three paths, because this force is conservative.

In path one and path 3, the woman took a circuitous path in reaching the final position,
while in path 2, the woman took a straight path. The diagram shows that the distance from the
initial position to the final position is one kilometer. If we are to calculate the done by the woman
when taking path 1, we will get her work done to be 500 N×1,000 meters=500,000 J. On the other
hand, the work done by the woman when taking path 2 is 500 N×1,000 meters=500,000 J. It can
be seen that despite the different paths taken, the work done is still the same or equal. Regardless
of the path taken, it does a work of 500,000 J.
 General Physics 1| Module 4 10

If the work done by a force in moving an object is independent of the path taken to
do the work, then the force is said to be a conservative force. An example of a conservative force
is gravitational force. Other conservative forces are elastic force of a spring and electric force
between two electric charges.
If we have a curved track like the one shown in Figure 10, assuming that there is no
friction along the track and that there is no air resistance, a ball dropped at point A will travel
through B, then will stop momentarily at C, then goes back through B, and will return to A which
is the starting point.

Figure 6 A ball sliding through a curved path

This kind of path which begins and ends at the same point is called a closed path. The
only force acting on the object is the force due to gravity. It is the only force that does work on the
object along the path. During the entire trip, the amount of positive work done on the object is
equal to the negative work on the return trip. So, the net work done on the object is zero. Therefore,
the work due to gravity is zero for a closed path. We can therefore state that

a conservative force is one that does no net work on an object moving in a closed path,
and starts and finishes at the same point

We can summarize the description of a conservative force in two ways. One is in

terms of an object moving two points and other one is in terms of an object moving along a closed
path.

❖ Non-conservative Forces
All forces that we have considered are conservative forces, which we can say are
ideal forces. But not all forces are conservative. There are those which we call non-conservative
forces. A force is non-conservative if the work it does on moving objects depends on the path of
motion of the object. One example of non-conservative forces is the kinetic frictional force which
points opposite to the direction of the sliding motion. It is also doing negative work. This work is
equal to the product of the kinetic frictional force and the length of the path taken, so over longer
paths, greater amount of work is done.
 General Physics 1| Module 4 11

For a closed path, the total amount of work done by a non-conservative force is not
equal to zero. For instance, opposing the motion of an object traveling in a closed path is kinetic
frictional force which slows down the object in its track.
Other examples of non-conservative forces are static friction, air resistance, tension,
normal force, and thrust force of a rocket.

❖ The Conservation of Mechanical Energy

In the study of work-energy theorem, we are led to the consideration of the potential
and kinetic energy. The sum of these two kinds of energy is called the total mechanical energy
𝑬𝑻 , so 𝐸𝑇 = 𝐾𝐸 + 𝑃𝐸. This can be expressed in terms of net work, 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 ,
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = (𝐾𝐸𝑓 − 𝐾𝐸𝑖 ) + (𝑃𝐸𝑓 − 𝑃𝐸𝑖 )
Rearranging the terms, we get
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = (𝐾𝐸𝑓 + 𝑃𝐸𝑓 ) − (𝐾𝐸𝑖 + 𝑃𝐸𝑖 )
Therefore,
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐸𝑓 − 𝐸𝑖

This states that the net work, 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 done by a non-conservative force is equal to the change in
energy from an initial value of 𝐸𝑖 to a final value of 𝐸𝑓 . The work-energy theorem can now be
written as 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐸𝑓 − 𝐸𝑖 .
The equation for net work done shows how the principle arises when only a
gravitational force does work on the object. We see that the net work done by the non-conservative
force is zero, 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0. The equation then becomes 𝐸𝑓 = 𝐸𝑖 which means that the final mechanical
energy 𝐸𝑓 is equal to the initial mechanical energy 𝐸𝑖 .
We can thus state the principle of conservation of mechanical energy as follows:

The total mechanical energy (𝑬𝑻 = 𝑲𝑬 + 𝑷𝑬) of an object remains constant as the object
moves, provided that the net work done by the non-conservative force is zero.

Examples
1. A cyclist is trying to leap across two hills by cycling horizontally off the taller hill. The
cyclist leaves the taller hill at a speed of 40 𝑚⁄𝑠 . Ignoring air resistance, find the final
speed with which the cyclist strikes the ground on the other hill.
Given: 𝑣𝑖 = 40 𝑚⁄𝑠
Height of taller hill = ℎ𝑖 = 50 𝑚
Height of small hill = ℎ𝑓 = 20 𝑚
Required to find: final velocity
Solution: Use the principle of conservation of mechanical energy.
 General Physics 1| Module 4 12

1 1
𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑓 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑖
2

𝑣𝑓 = √𝑣𝑖 2 + 2𝑔(ℎ𝑖 − ℎ𝑓 )

𝑣𝑓 = √(40 𝑚⁄𝑠)2 + 2(9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )(50 𝑚 − 20 𝑚)

𝑣𝑓 = 46.78 𝑚⁄𝑠
2. A 5 𝑚 rope is tied to a tree limb and used as a swing. Tarzan holds the rope in a horizontal
orientation. Assuming that the frictional force is zero and there is no air resistance,
determine the speed of Tarzan at the lowest point on the circular arc of the swing.
Given: length of rope = 5 𝑚
Required to find: speed of Tarzan at the bottom of his swing
Solution: Use the principle of conservation of mechanical energy.
1 1
2
𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑓 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑖

𝑣𝑓 = √2𝑔(ℎ𝑖 − ℎ𝑓 )

𝑣𝑓 = √2(9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )(5 𝑚)

𝑣𝑓 = 9.9 𝑚⁄𝑠
3. A roller coaster ride in a park includes a vertical drop of 60 𝑚. Assume that the roller
coaster has a speed of nearly zero when it reaches the top of the hill. Neglecting friction,
find the speed of the riders at the bottom of the hill.
Given: ℎ𝑖 = 60 𝑚
Required to find: final velocity, 𝑣𝑓
Solution: Use the principle of conservation of mechanical energy
1 1
𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑓 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑖
2

𝑣𝑓 = √𝑣𝑖 2 + 2𝑔(ℎ𝑖 − ℎ𝑓 )

𝑣𝑓 = √0 + 2(9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )(60 𝑚)

𝑣𝑓 = 34.29 𝑚⁄𝑠
4. A 1,500 𝑘𝑔 car starts from rest and then accelerates for 5 𝑠. The magnitude of the
acceleration is 5 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 . Determine the average power generated by the net force that
accelerates the vehicle.
Given: 𝑚 = 1,500 𝑘𝑔
𝑡 =5𝑠
𝑎 = 5 𝑚⁄𝑠 2
𝑣𝑖 = 0 𝑚⁄𝑠
Required to find: average power, 𝑃
Solution: net force on car, 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 = (1,500 𝑘𝑔)(5 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )
 General Physics 1| Module 4 13

𝐹 = 7,500 𝑁
Since 𝑣𝑖 = 0 𝑚⁄𝑠 and 𝑎 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡,
1
𝑣̅ = 2 (𝑣𝑖 − 𝑣𝑓 )

𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡 = 𝑎𝑡
𝑣𝑓 = 5 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 (5 𝑠) = 25 𝑚⁄𝑠
1
𝑣̅ = 2 (0 − 25 𝑚⁄𝑠 ) = 12.5 𝑚⁄𝑠

𝑃̅ = 𝐹̅ 𝑣̅
𝑃̅ = 7,500 𝑁 (12.5 𝑚⁄𝑠)
𝑃̅ = 93,750 𝑊

Directions: Complete the S.T.O.P Summary

We Started the lesson__________________________________________________________

the Topic was________________________________________________________________
Our Opportunities for practice were_______________________________________________

the Purpose of the lesson was____________________________________________________

 General Physics 1| Module 4 14

Hooray! We are finally done with module 4. I hope that

you had fun learning the topics. If you have any
questions, do not hesitate to contact me through my
email: quenieebroca@sccpag.edu.ph. Also, as a
reminder, submit only the answer sheets, not the
entire module. You may also write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper if you want. God bless in your
final exam. See you in our next journey.

Prepared by: Quennie S. Broca