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General Physics 1 – Grade 12 (STEM)

Learning Activity Sheets
Quarter 1 – Week 7: ENERGY DIAGRAMS and CENTER OF MASS

First Edition, 2021

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Writer: Marvin T. Tejano and Shekaina Faith C. Lozada

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Author: Marvin T. Tejano and Shekaina Faith C. Lozada 1

School/Station: Tagbina National High School/ Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: marvin.tejano@deped.gov.ph/ shekainafaith,lozada@ deped.gov.ph
 WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS
General Physics 1, Grade 12, Quarter 1, Week 7

ENERGY DIAGRAMS and CENTER OF MASS

Name: __________________________________________________ Section: ___________________________

Learning Competencies
1. Use potential energy diagrams to infer force; stable, unstable, and neutral equilibria; and
turning points (STEM_GP12WE-Ig-53)
2. Solve problems involving work, energy, and power in contexts such as, but not limited to,
bungee jumping, design of roller-coasters, number of people required to build structures
such as the Great Pyramids and the rice terraces; power and energy requirements of human
activities such as sleeping vs. sitting vs. standing, running vs. walking (STEM_GP12WE-Ih-
i-55)
3. Differentiate center of mass and geometric center (STEM_GP12WE-Ih-i-56)
4. Relate the motion of center of mass of a system to the momentum and net external force
acting on the system (STEM_GP12MMIC-Ih-57)

Specific Objectives:

1. Identify stable, unstable and neutral equilibrium using potential energy diagrams;
2. solve problems involving work, energy, and power;
3. differentiate center of mass and geometric center and show their relationships to the
momentum and net external force acting on the system; and
4. realize the significance of learning the concepts of center of mass to real-life situations.

Time Allotment: 4 Hours

Key Concepts

Energy Diagrams

• Potential Energy Diagram is a graph of potential energy of a mechanical system as a

function of its position. This is most easily accomplished for one-dimensional system, whose
potential energy can be plotted in one-dimensional graph.

• Turning Points Position (Figure 1)

is where the velocity of a particle,
in one-dimensional motion,
changes sign. Given a potential
energy curve (𝑥), as shown at the
right, you can determine several
important things about the motion
of a single particle with total
energy 𝐸𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙. Importantly, you may
Fig 1. Turning Points Position
also know the force on the particle Source: opencourses.emu.edu.tr
at any point – it is determined by
𝒅𝑼
𝑭𝒙 = −
𝒅𝒙

Author: Marvin T. Tejano and Shekaina Faith C. Lozada 2

School/Station: Tagbina National High School/ Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: marvin.tejano@deped.gov.ph/ shekainafaith,lozada@ deped.gov.ph
 • Since the kinetic energy goes to zero
when (𝑥 ) = 𝐸𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙, the particle must
come to a stop as it approaches xt.
In general, the force will push in the
direction where it came from, so the
particle will turn around there.

• Equilibrium Point Position (Figure

2) is where the net assumed
conservative, net force on a particle, Fig 2. Equilibrium Point Position
given by the slope of its potential Source: opencourses.emu.edu.tr
energy curve, is zero. Zero force
means that
𝒅𝑼
𝟎 = 𝑭𝒙 = −
𝒅𝒙

Fig 3. (A) A moving ball is in neutral equilibrium, (B) A swinging tumbler is in stable equilibrium,
(C) A marker, when pushed and fell down is in unstable equilibrium.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rG9u478X1Q

• Neutral Equilibrium is when the gravitational potential of a certain object remains constant
regardless of its position. Its graph would be a horizontal line because the gravitational
potential energy is constant. Figure 3 (A) shows a moving ball horizontally and hence in
neutral equilibrium.

• Stable Equilibrium is any minimum position in a potential-energy curve. Position is at

potential minimum, and therefore a particle will feel a force restoring it to this position as
it moves away. In Figure 3 (B), the water bottle (when tilted) is in stable equilibrium because
its gravitational potential energy increases as its position moves away from the equilibrium
position. This is because the center of mass of the bottle as the position goes away from the
equilibrium position. In other words, the water bottle naturally returns to the equilibrium
position when it loses gravitational potential energy (when the hand let go of the bottle).

• Unstable Equilibrium is any maximum point in a potential-energy curve. Position is at a

potential maximum, and therefore a particle will feel a force that pushes it away from this

Author: Marvin T. Tejano and Shekaina Faith C. Lozada 3

School/Station: Tagbina National High School/ Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: marvin.tejano@deped.gov.ph/ shekainafaith,lozada@ deped.gov.ph
 position in the direction it has moved away already. The marker in Figure 3(C) is in unstable
equilibrium because its gravitational potential energy decreases as its position moves away
from the equilibrium position (once it is pushed and falls). This is because its center of mass
goes down as the position goes away from the equilibrium. In other words, the marker
naturally moves away from the equilibrium position when it loses gravitational potential
energy.

• There are two types of energy surrounding us that enables us to do work, namely: Kinetic
Energy & Potential Energy. Examples of Potential Energy are Gravitational Potential Energy
and Elastic Potential Energy.

Work-Energy Theorem and Kinetic Energy

• Suppose a ball with mass m is thrown to a distance (d) with velocities 𝑣𝑖 and 𝑣𝑓. When the
ball is thrown, a net Force, 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡, is exerted causing it to move to a distance d. The ball’s
velocity changes from its initial state. This change in velocity results to the ball’s
acceleration.
• From Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion:
∑ ⃗𝑭 = 𝒎𝒂
⃗
If the net Force is constant, then
𝒗𝟐𝒇 − 𝒗𝟐𝒊
𝒂=
𝟐𝒅
• Calculating the Work done:
𝒗𝟐𝒇 − 𝒗𝟐𝒊 𝟏 𝟏
𝑾 = 𝑭 · 𝒅 = (𝒎𝒂) · 𝒅 = 𝒎 ( )= 𝒎𝒗𝟐𝒇 − 𝒎𝑣𝑖2
𝟐𝒅 𝟐 𝟐
where,
𝟏
𝒎𝒗𝟐 is the Kinetic Energy of the object.
𝟐
• Thus, in terms of Kinetic Energy:
𝟏 𝟏
𝑾 = 𝟐 𝒎𝒗𝟐𝒇 − 𝒎𝒗𝟐𝒊 = 𝑲𝒇 − 𝑲𝒊 = ∆𝑲
𝟐

This equation is called the Work-Energy Theorem which shows the relationship between
Work and Energy.

• In moving the box to a height, h, it gains Gravitational Potential Energy equal to

𝑈𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
where,
𝐹 = −𝑚𝑔

Fig 4. Moving box with height h.

Source: hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu

• The work done on the box by this force can be calculated as

𝑾 = 𝑭 · 𝒅 = −𝒎𝒈(𝒚𝒇 − 𝒚𝒊 ) = 𝒎𝒈𝒚𝒊 − 𝒎𝒈𝒚𝒇 = 𝑼𝒊 − 𝑼𝒇 = −∆𝑼

Author: Marvin T. Tejano and Shekaina Faith C. Lozada 4

School/Station: Tagbina National High School/ Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: marvin.tejano@deped.gov.ph/ shekainafaith,lozada@ deped.gov.ph
 • Another quantity that is closely related to work and energy is Power. Power is defined as
the rate of doing work. Mathematically,
∆𝑾
𝑷=
∆𝒕
• The SI Unit of Power is 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 (W).

Sample Problems:

1. Determine the kinetic energy of a 625-kg roller coaster car that is moving with a speed
of 18.3 m/s.

Given:
m = 625 kg
v = 18.3 m/s
Solution:
1 1
𝐾 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = (625𝑘𝑔)(18.3𝑚/𝑠)2 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟓𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟐 𝑱
2 2

Therefore, a 625 kg roller coaster car that is moving at a speed of 18.3 m/s has gained
kinetic energy equal to 1.05 x 102 J.

2. A pitcher hurls a 0.25-kg softball. The ball starts from rest and leaves the pitcher’s hand
at a speed of 25m/s. How much work is done on the softball by the hurler’s arm?

Given:
m=0.25kg
𝑣𝑓 = 25 𝑚/𝑠
𝑣𝑖 = 0 𝑚/𝑠 (since the ball starts from rest)
Solution:
1 1
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓2 − 𝑚𝑣𝑖2
2 2
1 𝑚 2 1
𝑊 = (0.25𝑘𝑔) (25 ) − (0.25𝑘𝑔)(0) = 𝟕𝟖. 𝟏𝟑 𝑱
2 𝑠 2

Therefore, a 0.25 kg softball gained 78.13 J of work when it leaves at 25 m/s speed
from rest.

3. Jean climbs a flight of stairs in 1.5min. If she weighs 450N and the stairs is 10m from
the ground, how much power will she develop?
Solution:

Given:
F = 450 N
d = 10 m
t = 1.50 min = 90 s

𝑊 𝐹𝑑 (450𝑁)(10𝑚)
𝑃= = = = 𝟓𝟎 𝑾
𝑡 𝑡 90 𝑠

Author: Marvin T. Tejano and Shekaina Faith C. Lozada 5

School/Station: Tagbina National High School/ Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: marvin.tejano@deped.gov.ph/ shekainafaith,lozada@ deped.gov.ph
 Therefore, Jean (which has a weight of 450 N) developed 50-watt power as she climbed
a 10 m stair in 1.50 minutes.

Center of Mass

• The center of mass is a certain position defined relative to an object or system of objects.
Moreover, it is more of the average position of all the parts of the system, weighted according
to their masses.

• It can be mathematically represented through this: Suppose we assume several particles

with masses 𝒎𝟏 , 𝒎𝟐 , and so on. Let the coordinates of 𝒎𝟏 be (𝒙𝟏 , 𝒚𝟏 ), those of 𝒎𝟐 be (𝒙𝟐 , 𝒚𝟐 ),
and so on. Equations below are mathematical definition of center of mass of the system as
the point that has coordinates (𝒙𝒄𝒎 , 𝒚𝒄𝒎 ) given by

𝒎 𝟏 𝒙 𝟏 + 𝒎 𝟐 𝒙 𝟐 + 𝒎 𝟑 𝒙 𝟑 + ⋯ ∑𝒊 𝒎 𝒊 𝒙 𝒊
𝒙𝒄𝒎 = = [𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒙 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔]
𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎 𝟐 + 𝒎𝟑 + ⋯ ∑𝒊 𝒎 𝒊

𝒎𝟏 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒎𝟑 𝒚𝟑 + ⋯ ∑𝒊 𝒎𝒊 𝒚𝒊
𝒚𝒄𝒎 = = [𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒚 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔]
𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 + 𝒎𝟑 + ⋯ ∑𝒊 𝒎 𝒊

or generally, the position 𝒓 ⃗ 𝒄𝒎 of the center of mass can be expressed in terms of the position
vectors 𝒓
⃗ 𝟏 , ⃗⃗𝒓𝟐 , . . . of the particle as

⃗ 𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 𝒓
𝒎𝟏 𝒓 ⃗ 𝟐 + 𝒎𝟑 𝒓
⃗𝟑+⋯
⃗ 𝒄𝒎 =
𝒓 = (∑ 𝒎𝒊 ⃗⃗⃗
𝒓𝒊 )/(∑ 𝒎𝒊 )
𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 + 𝒎𝟑 + ⋯
𝒊 𝒊

• In statistical language, the center of mass is a mass-weighted average position of the

particles.

Sample Problem 5: Center of mass of a water molecule.

Figure 5 shows a simple model of a water molecule.

The oxygen-hydrogen separation is 𝑑 = 9.57 𝑥 10−11 𝑚.
Each hydrogen atom has mass 1.0 u, and the oxygen
atom has mass 16.0 u. Find the position of the center
of mass.

Solution: Nearly all the mass of each atom is

concentrated in its nucleus, whose radius is only about
Fig 5. Simple model of a water
10−5 times the overall radius of the atom. Hence, we molecule.
can safely represent each atom as a point particle. Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University
Physics with Modern Physics”, 13th edition
Figure 5 shows our coordinate system, with the x-axis
chosen to lie along the molecule’s symmetry axis.

The oxygen atom is at 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0. The x-coordinate of each hydrogen atom is 𝑑cos(105°/2);

the y-coordinates are ± 𝑑sin(105°/2). Using the equations for center of mass, we have,

Author: Marvin T. Tejano and Shekaina Faith C. Lozada 6

School/Station: Tagbina National High School/ Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: marvin.tejano@deped.gov.ph/ shekainafaith,lozada@ deped.gov.ph
 for 𝒙𝒄𝒎 :
𝑚1 𝑥1 + 𝑚2 𝑥2 + 𝑚3 𝑥3
𝑥𝑐𝑚 =
𝑚1 + 𝑚2 + 𝑚3

[(1.0 𝑢)(𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑠52.5°) + (1.0 𝑢)(𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑠52.5°) + (16.0 𝑢)(0)]

𝑥𝑐𝑚 =
1.0 𝑢 + 1.0 𝑢 + 16.0 𝑢

𝑥𝑐𝑚 = 0.068𝑑 substituting 𝑑 = 9.57 𝑥 10−11 𝑚, we find

𝑥𝑐𝑚 = (0.068)(9.57 𝑥 10−11 𝑚)

𝒙𝒄𝒎 = 𝟔. 𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐 𝒎

for 𝒚𝒄𝒎 :
𝑚1 𝑦1 + 𝑚2 𝑦2 + 𝑚3 𝑦3
𝑦𝑐𝑚 =
𝑚1 + 𝑚2 + 𝑚3

[(1.0 𝑢)(+𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛52.5°) + (1.0 𝑢)(−𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛52.5°) + (16.0 𝑢)(0)]

𝑦𝑐𝑚 =
1.0 𝑢 + 1.0 𝑢 + 16.0 𝑢

𝒚𝒄𝒎 = 𝟎

Evaluate: The center of mass is much closer to the oxygen atom (located at the origin) than
to either hydrogen atom because the oxygen atom is much more massive. The center of
mass lies along the molecule’s axis of symmetry. If the molecule is rotated 180° around this
axis, it looks the same as before. The position of the center of mass can’t be affected by this
rotation, so it must lie on the axis of symmetry.

Fig 6. Locating the center of mass of a symmetrical object

Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics”, 13 th edition

• Whenever a homogeneous body has a geometric center, such as solid sphere, cube, or a
cylinder, the center of mass is at the geometric center.

• Whenever a body has an axis of symmetry, such as wheel, or a pully the center of mass
always lies on that axis.

• There is no law that says the center of mass always lies on that axis. For example, the center
of mass of a donut is right in the middle of the hole.

• Center of geometry is different from a center of mass. They may be the same if the object
has a homogenous density; otherwise they are different. Figure 7 illustrates that the center
of geometry does not coincide with the center of mass.

Author: Marvin T. Tejano and Shekaina Faith C. Lozada 7

School/Station: Tagbina National High School/ Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: marvin.tejano@deped.gov.ph/ shekainafaith,lozada@ deped.gov.ph
 Fig 7. Center of mass versus center of geometry
Source: General Physics 1 for Senior High School, 1st Edition

• The center of geometry is at the geometric center while the center of mass is at a lower
position. The reason is that the density of the object is not homogenous; the greater mass
is positioned at the lower part of the object.

Author: Marvin T. Tejano and Shekaina Faith C. Lozada 8

School/Station: Tagbina National High School/ Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: marvin.tejano@deped.gov.ph/ shekainafaith,lozada@ deped.gov.ph