GE1808

Translational Dynamics Equations

Work
Static Distance 𝑊 = 𝐹𝑥
𝑊 = ∫ 𝐹(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
Variable Distance OR
𝑊 = 𝐹(𝑥 − 𝑥0 )
𝑑𝑊
Power 𝑃=
𝑑𝑡
= 𝐹𝑣
Energy
1
Kinetic (𝐾𝐸 or 𝐾) 𝐾= 𝑚𝑣 2
2
𝑈 = 𝑚𝑔𝑦
Potential (𝑃𝐸 or 𝑈) 1
= 𝑘𝑥 2
2
Mechanical 𝐸 =𝐾+𝑈
𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = −∆𝑈
Work-Energy Theorem = ∆𝐾
∆𝐾 = −∆𝑈
Momentum 𝑝 = 𝑚𝑑𝑣
Impulse 𝐽 = 𝐹𝑑𝑡
Collision
Elastic, Single Projectile 𝑝10 = (𝑝1 + 𝑝2 )𝑓
Elastic, Multiple Projectiles (𝑝1 + 𝑝2 )0 = (𝑝1 + 𝑝2 )𝑓
Inelastic 𝑝1 + 𝑝2 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )𝑣𝑓

Cases of a Single Projectile Elastic Collision

1. 𝑚1 = 𝑚2
If Object A has equal initial and final velocities (i.e. 𝑣10 = 𝑣1 ), and Object B is static (i.e. 𝑣20 = 0), then
Object A will stop moving while Object B receives the approximate velocity of Object A (i.e. 𝑣1𝑓 ≈
0; 𝑣2𝑓 ≈ 𝑣1 ).
2. 𝑚1 > 𝑚2
If Object A is more massive than Object B, then Object B will move almost twice as fast as Object A
(i.e. if 𝑣10 = 𝑣1 and 𝑣20 = 0, then 𝑣1𝑓 ≈ 𝑣1 ; 𝑣2𝑓 ≈ 2𝑣1 ).
3. 𝑚1 < 𝑚2
If Object A is lighter than the static Object B, then Object A will move in the opposite direction at almost
the same velocity (i.e. if 𝑣10 = 𝑣1 and 𝑣20 = 0, then 𝑣1𝑓 ≈ −𝑣1 ; 𝑣2𝑓 ≈ 0).

REFERENCES
Bauer, W. & Westfall, G. D. (2016). General physics 1 (2nd ed.). Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill Education.
Belleza, R.V., Gadong, E.S.A., …, Sharma, M. PhD. (2016). General physics 1. Quezon City: Vibal Publishing House, Inc
Freedman, R. A., Ford, A. L., & Young, H. D. (2016). Sears and zemansky's university physics (with modern physics) (13th ed.). Boston,
MA: Addison-Wesley.
Halliday, D., Resnick, R. & Walker, J. (2014). Fundamentals of physics (5th ed.). New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Nave, C. R. (2017). Mechanics. Retrieved from the Georgia State University's HyperPhysics Classroom: http://hyperphysics.phy-
astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html.

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