All Flashcards
How to analyze energy conservation in a system?
- Define the system. 2. Identify energy types. 3. Account for work done on/by the system. 4. Apply conservation of energy:
Steps to solve conservation of energy problems?
- Identify initial and final states. 2. Determine energy forms at each state. 3. Account for any work done. 4. Set up and solve the conservation of energy equation.
What's the difference between kinetic and potential energy?
Kinetic: energy of motion. Potential: stored energy due to position or configuration.
Conservative vs. Nonconservative Forces?
Conservative: Energy is converted back and forth. Nonconservative: Energy is dissipated as heat or sound.
Positive work vs. Negative work?
Positive work: adds energy to the system. Negative work: removes energy from the system.
What are the key differences between conservative and nonconservative forces?
Conservative: Path-independent, potential energy can be defined, total mechanical energy conserved. Nonconservative: Path-dependent, potential energy cannot be defined, total mechanical energy not conserved.
Compare and contrast kinetic and potential energy.
Kinetic: Energy of motion, depends on mass and velocity. Potential: Stored energy, depends on position or configuration (e.g., height or spring compression).