Potential Energy and

Energy Conservation
Gravitational Potential Energy
Energy associated with position is called Potential Energy
Gravitational Potential Energy is the energy associated
with the relative position of an object in space near the
Earth’s surface
The gravitational potential energy
𝑈𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = 𝑚𝑔𝑦
◦ m is the mass of an object
◦ g is the acceleration of gravity
◦ y is the vertical position of the mass relative the surface
of the Earth
◦ SI unit: joule (J)
Gravitational Potential Energy
Reference Levels
A location where the gravitational potential energy is zero must be
chosen for each problem
◦ The choice is arbitrary since the change in the potential energy is the
important quantity
◦ Choose a convenient location for the zero reference height
◦ often the Earth’s surface
◦ may be some other point suggested by the problem
◦ Once the position is chosen, it must remain fixed for the entire problem
Extended Work-Energy Theorem
The work-energy theorem can be extended to include potential energy:
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐾2 − 𝐾1 = ∆𝐾
𝑊𝑔 = 𝑈𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣,1 − 𝑈𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣,2

If we only have gravitational force, then

The sum of the kinetic energy and the gravitational potential energy remains constant at all time and
hence is a conserved quantity
Extended Work-Energy Theorem
We denote the total mechanical energy by

E = KE + PE
KE f + PE f = PEi + KEi
Since

The total mechanical energy is conserved and remains the same

at all times 1 2 1 2
mvi + mgyi = mv f + mgy f
2 2
Extended Work-Energy Theorem
The total mechanical energy of a system is the sum of its kinetic energy and potential energy
Sample Problem 1
You throw a 0.145 kg baseball straight up, giving it an initial velocity of
magnitude 20.0 m/s. Find how high it goes, ignoring air resistance.
When Forces Other than Gravity do Work
Sample Problem 2
In Sample Problem 1 suppose your
hand moves upward by 0.50 m
while you are throwing the ball. The
ball leaves your hand with an
upward velocity of 20.0 m/s. (a) Find
the magnitude of the force
(assumed constant) that your hand
exerts on the ball. (b) Find the speed
of the ball at a point 15.0 m above
the point where it leaves your hand.
Ignore air resistance.
Sample Problem 2
(b) Find the speed of the ball at a point 15.0 m above the point
where it leaves your hand. Ignore air resistance.
Sample Problem 3
Your cousin Throckmorton skateboards from rest down a curved,
frictionless ramp. If we treat Throcky and his skateboard as a
particle, he moves through a quarter-circle with radius R = 3.00 m.
Throcky and his skateboard have a total mass of 25.0 kg. (a) Find his
speed at the bottom of the ramp. (b) Find the normal force that acts
on him at the bottom of the curve.
Sample Problem 3
Sample Problem 3
ELASTIC POTENTIAL ENERGY
Involves the spring constant, k
Hooke’s Law gives the force

𝐹 = −𝑘𝑑
 
◦ F is in the opposite direction of F = − kd
displacement d, always back towards the
equilibrium point.
◦ k depends on how the spring was
formed, the material it is made from,
thickness of the wire, etc. Unit: N/m.
ELASTIC POTENTIAL ENERGY
Elastic Potential Energy: 1 2
◦ SI unit: Joule (J) 𝑈𝑒𝑙 = 𝑘𝑥
2
◦ related to the work required to compress a
spring from its equilibrium position to
some final, arbitrary, position x
Work done by the spring
Extended Work-Energy Theorem
The work-energy theorem can be extended to include potential
energy:
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐾2 − 𝐾1 = ∆𝐾

𝑊𝑔 = 𝑈𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣,1 − 𝑈𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣,2 𝑊𝑠 = 𝑈𝑒𝑙,1 − 𝑈𝑒𝑙,2

If we include gravitational force and spring force, then

Wnet = Wgravity + Ws
Sample Problem 4
A 0.5-kg block rests on a horizontal, frictionless surface. The block is pressed back against a
spring having a constant of k = 625 N/m, compressing the spring by 10.0 cm to point A. Then the
block is released.
(a) Find the maximum distance d the block travels up the frictionless incline if θ = 30°.
(b) How fast is the block going when halfway to its maximum height?
Sample Problem 4
Point A (initial state): vi = 0, yi = 0, xi = −10 cm = −0.1m
v f = 0, y f = h = d sin  , x f = 0
Point C (final state):
1 2 1 1 1
mvi + mgyi + kxi2 = mv 2f + mgy f + kx2f
2 2 2 2
1 2
kxi = mgy f = mgd sin 
kxi2
1 2
d= 2
mg sin 
0.5(625 N / m)(−0.1m) 2
=
(0.5kg )(9.8m / s 2 ) sin 30
= 1.28m
Sample Problem 4
Point A (initial state): vi = 0, yi = 0, xi = −10 cm = −0.1m
v f = ?, y f = h / 2 = d sin  / 2, x f = 0
Point B (final state):
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
mvi + mgyi + kxi = mv f + mgy f + kx f
2 2 2 2
1 2 1 2 h k 2
kxi = mv f + mg ( ) xi = v 2f + gh
2 2 2 m
h = d sin  = (1.28 m) sin 30  = 0.64 m
k 2
vf = xi − gh
m
= ...... = 2.5m / s
 Types of Forces
Conservative forces
◦ Work and energy associated with the
force can be recovered
◦ Examples: Gravity, Spring Force, EM
forces
Nonconservative forces
◦ The forces are generally dissipative and
work done against it cannot easily be
recovered
◦ Examples: Kinetic friction, air drag
forces, normal forces, tension forces,
applied forces …
Conservative Forces
A force is conservative if the work it does on an object moving
between two points is independent of the path the objects take
between the points
◦ The work depends only upon the initial and final positions of the object
◦ Any conservative force can have a potential energy function associated with it
◦ Work done by gravity
◦ Work done by spring force
Non-conservative forces
A force is nonconservative if the work it does on an
object depends on the path taken by the object
between its final and starting points.
◦ The work depends upon the movement path
◦ For a non-conservative force, potential energy can NOT be
defined
◦ Work done by a nonconservative force
 
Wnc =  F  d = − f k d +  Wotherforces

◦ It is generally dissipative. The dispersal

of energy takes the form of heat or sound
Sample Problem
You are rearranging your furniture and wish to move a 40.0 kg futon 2.50 m
across the room. A heavy coffee table, which you don’t want to move, blocks
this straight-line path. Instead, you slide the futon along a dogleg path; the
doglegs are 2.00 m and 1.50 m long. How much more work must you do to push
the futon along the dogleg path than along the straight-line path? The
coefficient of kinetic friction is 𝜇𝑘 = 0.200.
Sample Problem
Conservation of Energy
Energy is conserved
This means that energy cannot be created nor destroyed
If the total amount of energy in a system changes, it can only be due to the fact
that energy has crossed the boundary of the system by some method of energy
transfer
This law can be expressed as ∆𝐾 + ∆𝑈 + ∆𝑈𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 0
 Sample Problem 5
❑ A 3-kg crate slides down a ramp. The ramp is 1 m in length and
inclined at an angle of 30° as shown. The crate starts from rest at the
top. The surface friction can be negligible. Use energy methods to
determine the speed of the crate at the bottom of the ramp.
1 1 1 1
− fd + Wotherforces = ( mv 2f + mgy f + kx2f ) − ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
2 2 2 2
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
( mv f + mgy f + kx f ) = ( mvi + mgyi + kxi )
2 2 2 2

d = 1m, yi = d sin 30  = 0.5m, vi = 0

y f = 0, v f = ? 1
( mv 2f + 0 + 0) = (0 + mgyi + 0)
2
v f = 2 gyi = 3.1m / s
 Sample Problem 6
A 3-kg crate slides down a ramp. The ramp is 1 m in length and inclined at an
angle of 30° as shown. The crate starts from rest at the top. The surface in
contact have a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.15. Use energy methods to
determine the speed of the crate at the bottom of the ramp.
1 1 1 1
− fd + Wotherforces = ( mv 2f + mgy f + kx2f ) − ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
2 2 2 2
1
−  k Nd + 0 = ( mv 2f + 0 + 0) − (0 + mgyi + 0)
2
 k = 0.15, d = 1m, yi = d sin 30  = 0.5m, N = ?

N − mg cos  = 0 −  k dmg cos =

1 2
mv f − mgyi
2
v f = 2 g ( yi −  k d cos  ) = 2.7m / s
Sample Problem 6
How far does the crate slide on the horizontal floor if it continues to experience a friction
force.
1 1 1 1
− fd + Wotherforces = ( mv 2f + mgy f + kx2f ) − ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
2 2 2 2
1
−  k Nx + 0 = (0 + 0 + 0) − ( mvi2 + 0 + 0)
2
 k = 0.15, vi = 2.7m / s, N = ?
N − mg = 0
1
−  k mgx = − mvi2
2
vi2
x= = 2.5m
2 k g
Sample Problem 7
A block having a mass of 0.8 kg is given an initial velocity vA =
1.2 m/s to the right and collides with a spring whose mass is
negligible and whose force constant is k = 50 N/m as shown in
figure. Assuming the surface to be frictionless, calculate the
maximum compression of the spring after the collision.

1 2 1 1 1
mv f + mgy f + kx2f = mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2
2 2 2 2

1 2 1 2
mvmax + 0 + 0 = mv A + 0 + 0
2 2

m 0.8kg
xmax = vA = (1.2m / s) = 0.15m
k 50 N / m
Sample Problem 7
Suppose a constant force of kinetic friction acts between the block and the
surface, with µk = 0.5, what is the maximum compression xc in the spring.

1 1 1 1
− fd + Wotherforces = ( mv 2f + mgy f + kx2f ) − ( mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 )
2 2 2 2
1 1
−  k Nd + 0 = (0 + 0 + kxc2 ) − ( mv A2 + 0 + 0)
2 2
N = mg and d = xc
1 2 1 2
kxc − mv A = −  k mgxc
2 2
25 xc2 + 3.9 xc − 0.58 = 0 xc = 0.093 m