Name: energy conservation problem-solving steps
Uploaded: 2023-04-30T10:57:15.000Z
Duration: 1 min 12 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

north-carolina-k-12-science-standard-course-of-study

North Carolina K-12 Science Standard Course of Study

9-12

Physical Science

Energy

PS.PSc.7.2

Conservation of Energy: Application

Recall the energy conservation law for solving a numerical problem.
A rock of mass 20 kilograms is situated at the edge of a cliff at a height of 5 meters. After sliding down the cliff, its velocity is 9 meters per second. What will be the change in the internal energy of the rock?
Here, the mass of the rock, the height of the rock from the ground, and the velocity of the rock after sliding down are known quantities, and the change in internal energy is an unknown quantity.
Initially, the kinetic energy of the rock is zero, while the potential energy calculated from the weight and height of the rock is 980 joules.
After sliding, the rock has zero potential energy and the kinetic energy calculated from the mass and velocity is 810 joules.
Lastly, substituting the values of change in kinetic and potential energy in the law of conservation of energy equation gives the change in internal energy of the rock as 170 joules.

conservation of energy: application

When solving problems using the energy conservation law, the object (system) to be studied should first be identified. Often, in applications of energy conservation, we study more than one body at the same time. Second, identify all forces acting on the object and determine whether each force doing work is conservative. If a non-conservative force (e.g., friction) is doing work, then mechanical energy is not conserved. The system must then be analyzed with non-conservative work. Third, for every force that does work, choose a reference point and determine the potential energy function for that force. The reference points for the various potential energies do not have to be at the same location. Finally, apply the principle of mechanical energy conservation by setting the sum of the kinetic energies and potential energies equal at every point of interest.
Note that systems generally consist of more than one particle or object. However, the conservation of mechanical energy is a fundamental law of physics and applies to any system. In such a case, include the kinetic and potential energies of all the particles and the work done by all the non-conservative forces acting on them.
This text is adapted from <a href="https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/8-3-conservation-of-energy">Openstax, University Physics Volume 1, Section 8.3: Conservation of Energy.</a>

When solving problems using the energy conservation law, the object (system) to be studied should first be identified. Often, in applications of energy ...

Education

JoVE Core

Physics

Unit 1

Potential Energy and Energy Conservation

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

energy conservation problem-solving steps

Energy conservation problem-solving uses a clear set of steps. First, identify the system you want to study. In many cases, that system includes more than one body at the same time.

Next, identify the forces acting on the object and decide whether each force is conservative. A conservative force is one whose work can be described with potential energy. If a non-conservative force such as friction does work, then mechanical energy is not conserved, and the system must be analyzed with non-conservative work.

For every force that does work, choose a reference point and write the potential energy function for that force. The reference points do not have to be at the same location for each potential energy term. Then apply mechanical energy conservation by setting the total kinetic energy and potential energy equal at each point of interest.

Systems often contain more than one particle or object, but the law still applies. For that case, include the kinetic and potential energies of all particles. Also include the work done by all non-conservative forces acting on them.

Energy Conservation Problem-Solving Steps

energy-conservation-problem-solving-steps

gravitational potential energy

Gravitational Energy from Height and Weight

Gravitational potential energy depends on an object’s weight and its height above the ground. It is one part of the total potential energy of a system, which comes from the interactions between objects. In a system, the total potential energy is the sum of the potential energies for all the objects. Potential energy is usually grouped into two main categories: gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy. Gravitational potential energy describes the energy tied to a body’s...

elastic potential energy

Spring Force and Stored Energy

Elastic potential energy is stored when an elastic object is deformed, such as when a spring is stretched. An object is elastic if it returns to its original shape and size after the force is removed. This stored energy is part of a system’s potential energy. An ideal spring also exerts an elastic force. The work done by this force can be described as a change in the spring’s elastic potential energy. For a perfectly elastic spring in one dimension, that work depends only on the spring...

conservation of mechanical energy

Mechanical Energy in Isolated Systems

Mechanical energy in an isolated system is the total of kinetic energy and potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, and potential energy is stored energy. The transcript focuses on what happens when energy shifts within a system without outside influence. In this case, only conservative forces act on the objects in the system. Conservative forces can transfer energy between kinetic energy and potential energy. Friction and drag do not act here, and no external force from...

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conservative forces

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Conservative forces are forces for which the work done depends only on the starting and ending points. In this case, the work is path independent. That means the total energy of the system, including kinetic energy and potential energy, stays conserved during the change. This idea follows the law of conservation of energy. When energy shifts between kinetic and potential forms, the total amount remains the same. Because the work is completely reversible, an object can start and stop at any two...

non-conservative forces

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Non-conservative forces, such as friction and air resistance, remove energy from a system as it moves. The energy is not stored as potential energy. Instead, it is lost from the system and cannot be used later for useful work. These forces are path-dependent, which means the route matters. Where an object starts and stops can change the work done. A grinding wheel is one example, because the work depends on how many rotations the wheel makes. Non-conservative forces also turn large-scale...

conservation of energy

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Energy changes in a closed system follow a conservation law in physics. A conserved quantity is not the same as the everyday use of the word "conserved." In science, a conserved quantity stays constant, or it changes by a definite amount that is transferred to another system and converted into another form of the same quantity. This means a conserved quantity can change form, but it cannot be created or destroyed in a strict physical sense. For that reason, physics does not have a law of...

Energy conservation problem-solving uses a clear set of steps. First, identify the system you want to study. In many cases, that system includes more than one body at the same time. Next, identify the forces acting on the object and decide whether each force is conservative. A conservative force is one whose work can be described with potential energy. If a non-conservative force such as friction does work, then mechanical energy is not conserved, and the system must be analyzed with...

force and potential energy in one dimension

force-and-potential-energy-in-one-dimension

Finding Force from Potential Energy

Force can be found from potential energy when the energy is written as a function of position. For a conservative force, the force component in a given direction equals the negative derivative of the matching potential energy with respect to displacement. This means force and the slope of potential energy have opposite signs. Where potential energy changes quickly with displacement, the force and the work done are largest. When a force acts along the positive coordinate axis, potential energy...

force and potential energy in three dimensions

force-and-potential-energy-in-three-dimensions

Gradient Force from 3D Potential Energy

Gradient force from 3D potential energy shows how a conservative force changes along the x, y, and z axes. The potential energy function U depends on all three spatial coordinates. Each force component is linked to how U changes with position along one coordinate. In one dimension, force can be written as the negative ratio of the change in potential energy to the displacement along that axis. For very small displacements, these ratios become derivatives. When a function has several variables,...

energy diagrams - i

Potential Energy Diagrams and Stability

Potential energy diagrams help describe how a mechanical system moves. Because energy is a scalar quantity, the system’s behavior is easier to interpret from the diagram. A skater on a parabolic ramp is a clear example. The ramp height changes with horizontal position, so the potential energy changes as well. As the skater moves down from the highest point, potential energy changes into kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. The net force on the skater is gravitational force,...

energy diagrams - ii

Stability in Potential Energy Diagrams

Potential energy diagrams show how stable a system is at different positions. Their shape, or topology, helps identify equilibrium points. An equilibrium point is a place where the system can stay in balance because the net force is zero. At a local minimum, the potential energy is lowest. The system tends to remain there unless a net force acts on it. The slope at the minimum is zero. The slope is positive on both sides, so the force acts as a restoring force and pushes the system back. A...

key terms and concepts

Learn the step-by-step method for solving energy conservation problems: identify the system, check forces, include friction, and apply kinetic and potential energy.

Energy Conservation Problem-Solving Steps | JoVE K12

physics

JoVE Core Physics introduces the theory and application of fundamental physics topics, including kinematics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, statics, waves, and acoustics, with concise and easy-to-understand animated videos. Additionally, the scientist-in-action videos demonstrate the application of related concepts in classical and original research experiments performed in today's laboratories worldwide.

PS.Phy.6.1

Pennsylvania State Academic Standards

3.2.9-12.O

3.2.9-12.R

Louisiana Student Standards for Science

High School

Chemistry

HS-PS3-1

HS-PS3-4

HS-PS3-2

HS-PS3-3

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Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum

Energy And Waves

Conservation of energy

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Transfer and transformation of energy (including work)

Forces, Momentum And Motion

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Momentum, impulse and conservation of momentum

Tennessee Academic Standards

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Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

PHYS.PS2.11

PHYS.PS3.1

PHYS.PS3.3

PHYS.PS3.8

PHYS.PS3.14

PHYS.PS3.15

CHEM1.PS3.4

Virginia  Standards of Learning

HIgh School

PS.5

PS.5.a

PH.4

PH.4.b

Minnesota Academic Standards in Science

2.2.1 9P.2.1.1.1

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New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science

Alabama Course of Study Science

9-12.PS.1.1

9-12.P.2.3

Next Generation Science Standards

Florida Department of Education

SC.912.P.10

SC.912.P.10.1

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

Chemistry and Physics

IPC.6

IPC.6.C

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South Carolina College and Career Ready Science Standards

C-PS3-4

P-PS3-1

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HS. Forces and Interactions

HS-PS2-2.

HS. Energy

HS-PS3-2.

Georgia Standards of Excellence

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PS.PSc.7.4

Analyze energy transfers and transformations within a mechanical system.

Energy Conservation Problem-Solving Steps

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