Chapter 4

Work, Kinetic Energy,

Potential Energy,
Conservation Law
Topics for Part 1

• Definition of work done by a force?

• the definition of kinetic energy
• relation between work and kinetic energy
• Work done by a varying force
Reason for learning work and energy

• The simple methods of chapter 3 using Newton’s laws are

inadequate when the forces are not constant (a is not constant).

• Use concepts of work, energy, and the conservation of energy to

help us solve problems without involvement of acceleration.

• Work and energy are used to understand many phenomena of

heat. Fundamental concepts of heat physics (thermodynamics)

• Human activities require Work and Energy (fuel, electricity, food)

 What is Work ?

• When we use force to move an

object with mass, we need to work
hard and afterward we feel that we
have done and output something
because we are tired

• We need to quantify this something

that we output or spent in moving
an object with a force and duration

• This is the origin of the concept of

work and it is related to force
What is energy?
• Player throws the ball, he has “done
something” on the ball
• The ball moves fast, and acquires
something really powerful -- it can
smash a glass of “unbreakable” window

• The thing that the ball acquires is known as energy

or more specifically, kinetic energy
• The player also has to work hard for the ball to have energy
Work  Energy

• Consider the following kinematic relation:

2
2𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 = 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 − 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥0

An object accelerated with 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 for a distance of ∆𝑥𝑥

will acquire a velocity change from 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥0 to 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 .

• But acceleration 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 is produced by a force 𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 (Nt’s 2nd law):

𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = 𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥

• Multiply first equation by m and it becomes:

1 2
1 2
𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥
2 2
Work by a force Energy acquired by an object
Work done by a force
1 2
1 2
𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥
2 2

Work done = Force × distance = Fs

• Larger force = more energy = larger work done

• Longer distance = more energy = larger work done

People push the car with a force over

a distance do work on the car
 2-Dimensional Work done by a force
1 2
1 2
𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥
2 2
1 2
1 2
𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 ∆𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦0
2 2
Add the two:
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 + 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 ∆𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 + 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦0
2 2 2 2

𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 + 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 ∆𝑦𝑦 = 𝐹𝐹⃗ � ∆𝑠𝑠⃗ = Work = 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹cos𝜙𝜙 = 𝐹𝐹∥ ∆𝑠𝑠
∆𝑠𝑠⃗ = ∆𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + ∆𝑦𝑦𝚥𝚥̂

component
perpendicular to
motion

Component parallel to motion

Positive, negative, and zero work
• The work done by a force can be positive, negative, or zero
• It depends on the angle between the force and the
displacement (cosφ ).

Angle between force and displacement < 90 degree,

φ < 90ο positive work cosφ > 0
A Energy transferred by force to the object A moved by the
force, you give A some energy

Angle between force and displacement > 90 degree,

φ> 90ο negative work cosφ < 0
A Energy transferred from the moving object A to you

φ = 90ο Angle between force and displacement = 90 degree, zero

work cosφ = 0
A No Energy transferred to and from the moving object A
Zero work, but why I feel tired by just holding

F • A person is holding a heavy box but

not lifting so he does zero work on
the box. But after a while of holding,
his arm will feel tired. He may sweat
if holding very long. Why?
W • What happens is that he needs to
produce a force to hold the heavy
box by his arm to counter gravity.

• To produce a force , chemical reactions have to

occur in his body. Chemical energy is consumed
but is converted to heat energy, or sweat (Ch.6).
Kinetic energy (KE): definition

1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 + 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 ∆𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 + 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦0 but 𝑣𝑣 2 = 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2
2 2 2 2
1 1 𝑣𝑣02 = 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥0
2
+ 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦𝑦2

= 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣 2 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣02
2 2

• Definition: the kinetic energy (KE) of a particle

1
with mass m and speed v: KE ≡ mv2.
2

1
• When any object (m) moves (v), it has K.E. = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣 2
2
 Work and Kinetic energy (KE):

1 1 1 1 1 1
𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 + 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 ∆𝑦𝑦 = 2
𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥 2
− 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦0 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣 2 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣02
2 2 2 2 2 2

1 1
𝐹𝐹∥ ∆𝑠𝑠 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣 2 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣02
2 2

Force and velocity in the Force and velocity in the Force and velocity are
same direction, speed is opposite direction, speed perpendicular, speed
increased, kinetic is decreased, kinetic is not changed, kinetic
energy is increased. energy is decreased energy is not changed
(positive work) (negative work ) (zero work)
The work-energy theorem, relation between work
and K.E.
• The work-energy theorem: The work done
by the net force on a particle equals the
change in the particle’s kinetic energy.
Work is converted into kinetic energy
• Mathematically, the work-energy theorem is
Wtot = Kfinal – Kinitial = ∆K.  equivalent to 2nd law
Proof ( for constant force):
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 ∆𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦0
2 2 2 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
⇒ 𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑥𝑥 + 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 ∆𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 + 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦0
2 2 2 2
1 1
⃗
⇒ 𝐹𝐹 � ∆𝑠𝑠⃗ = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖2
2
2 2
 Work-energy in uniform circular motion
Work and energy are both scalars (no direction)!
They are different from force and acceleration (vectors)

For uniform circular motion: φ = 90ο

 W = 𝐹𝐹⃗ � ∆𝑠𝑠⃗ = 𝐹𝐹∆𝑠𝑠 cos 90𝑜𝑜 = 0

1 1
⃗
From 𝐹𝐹 � ∆𝑠𝑠⃗ = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖2
2
2 2

 No K.E. change

𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓 = 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖 = v
Calculate work done by a constant force graphically

Plot force vs position

The work done by a force F in a displacement of d is
W = Fd, which equals to the area under the curve
between x2 and x1. d =x2 - x1.
 Work done by a changing force
• For a changing force, its work = the area
under the curve for Force vs position
between the initial and final position x1 𝑥𝑥2
𝑥𝑥2 � 𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
and x2 ∶ it is integral W = ∫𝑥𝑥 𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥1
1

Proof:
• We approximate the area under the curve
by total area of many small rectangles.
• The area of a small rectangle ≅ 𝐹𝐹Δ𝑥𝑥 ≅
the work done in small displacement Δ𝑥𝑥
• the total areas of the rectangles give you
approximately the areas under the
curve and this also equals the work for
the displacement from x1 to x2 Area under the curve
is the work done
Example: Work needed to stretch a spring
• The force required to hold a
string stretched by a distance x
is proportional to x: Fx = kx.
• k is the force constant (or
spring constant) of the spring.
• The area under the graph
represents the work done on
the spring to stretch it a
distance Xm:
• 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡: =
𝑘𝑘𝑋𝑋𝑚𝑚
𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 ×
ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒
= 𝑋𝑋𝑚𝑚
2 2
2
 𝑊𝑊 = 𝑘𝑘𝑋𝑋𝑚𝑚 /2  Elastic energy of the spring
Lecture 4 part 2
Potential Energy and
Energy Conservation
Topics in Part 2

• Gravitational potential energy in vertical motion

• Elastic potential energy stored in a spring
• To solve problems using conservation of
mechanical energy
Projectile revisited
2
𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2 − 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦𝑦 = −2𝑔𝑔∆𝐻𝐻

𝑣𝑣 2 = 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥

2
𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 − 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥 =0
1 1
𝑣𝑣 2
− 𝑣𝑣02 = −2𝑔𝑔∆𝐻𝐻  𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 2 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣02 = −𝑚𝑚𝑔𝑔(𝐻𝐻 − 𝐻𝐻0 )
2 2

• kinetic energy change is related to the height change of the object

1 1
or 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 2 + 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝐻𝐻 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚02 + 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝐻𝐻0 = true for all
2 2

• This seems like some kind of conservation that is true for all height
kinetic energy (KE) Something related to height
Objects in high rise building are dangerous!

• An object at high altitude can fall

and hit someone causing real damage

• Altitude stores some energy

Potential energy

• A falling object increases in speed,

gaining kinetic energy
• Where does the energy come from?
KE + mgH = constant

• Energy is stored in height and then

converted into KE as H drops.
• Energy is stored in height is the
potential energy (PE) due to gravity
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝐻𝐻 ∝ both mass m and height H
Energy transfer related to gravity in lifting an object

• You lift an object,

• You use force to move the object by a distance
• you do work, but the box has no KE gain

• Where does the work go?

• Work is converted into potential energy

The energy possessed by an

object which is related to
the position of the object
is the potential energy
Conservation of energy in a projectile

Independent of initial angle

1 1
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝐻𝐻 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚02 + 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝐻𝐻0
2
2 2

KE + PE = KE0 + PE0 = constant

Conservation of mechanical energy
• When an object falls from height y2 to y1, the object’s kinetic energy is
increased. The increase in kinetic energy equals to the decrease in the
gravitational potential energy of the object

Decrease in PE = increase in KE
PE(initial)-PE(final) = KE(final)-KE(initial)
PE(initial)+KE(initial)=PE(final)+KE(final)=mechanical energy

• So when the object’s gravitational potential energy is added to the object’s

kinetic energy. This quantity is unchanged, i.e. it is conserved. This quantity is
called mechanical energy.

• Definition: mechanical energy = potential energy + kinetic energy

When an object is only influenced by the gravitation force

(there is no other forces, or other forces do not do work),
the mechanical energy is conserved.
Derivation of E-conservation from work-energy theorem

• Gravitational potential energy is caused by gravitational

force (weight) on the object
• It is related to the work done by the gravitational force

Proof: Work done by gravity WG = (−mg)∆y = −∆PE

opposite to height increase

Using work-energy theorem:

y2
WG = ∆KE or −∆PE = ∆KE
Force F
∆y
 ∆PE + ∆KE = 0 or ∆ME = 0
y1
 MEf − MEi = 0 or MEf = MEi Force F
Force=mg
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
 PE only depend on vertical coordinate y
• We can use the same expression for A
gravitational potential energy
whether the body’s falling path is
curved or straight. It only depends
y2-y1
on y not on x
B
• When work done by a force is
calculated, only displacement The potential energy difference of
parallel to the force is considered point A and B depends on the
Work = 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹cos𝜙𝜙 = 𝐹𝐹∆𝑠𝑠∥ difference of the vertical distance
of the two points y2-y1
• Only vertical distance (y displacement)
is needed in the expression of potential Displacement vector Only the
parallel
energy, because the gravitational force displacement
is vertical. is used in
Force calculating
• Potential Energy depends on height the work
and mass. P.E. = mgy done
Conservation of mechanical energy in a roller coaster
• The contact force from the track on the roller coaster is always
perpendicular to the motion, as there is no friction. It is a normal
force, normal force has no work: 𝑊𝑊𝑁𝑁 = 𝑁𝑁 � 𝑠𝑠⃗ = 0. The only force can
have work is the gravitational force.

• When only the force of gravity does work on a system ( there is no

friction), the total mechanical energy of the roller coaster is conserved.

Normal force ME = KE + PE = constant

𝑁𝑁

Motion direction
𝑠𝑠⃗
Mechanical energy is a constant=50000J
An object slide down a surface

Same as roller coaster for other smooth surfaces

When there is no friction and the force from the surface on the
object is always normal to the surface and thus normal to the path.

Only force has work done on the object is the gravitational force.
 Mechanical Energy = K.E.+P.E. is conserved
What if there is friction?

• Friction is always opposite to motion

motion
 Work done by friction is negative

• The effect of friction mostly reduce the speed of an object

 kinetic energy loss

All kind energy loss including PE??

Work energy theorem with friction

• Check with Work-energy theorem: motion

Wf + WG = ∆KE or Wf −∆PE = ∆KE (WG = −∆PE)

 Wf = ∆PE +∆KE = ∆ME = MEfinal − MEinitial

• Note Wf is negative  Energy is lost due to friction (Wf = − Elost)

Initial mechanical energy

= final mechanical energy + lost energy due to friction(Elost positive value)

Work-Energy theorem with friction: Wf = MEfinal − MEinitial

More potential energy: Elastic potential energy
• There is another kind of potential energy, which is elastic
potential energy

• A body is elastic if it returns to its original

shape after being deformed.

• When an elastic object is stretched or

compressed, you do work on the object
and energy is stored in the object as
elastic potential energy
Energy stored in stretching a spring
• A force required to stretch a spring a distance x is proportional to x:
F = kx, where k is the force constant (or spring constant) of the
spring. Force from spring = Fx = − F = − kx
Fx

Fx Fx

mg
• The area under the graph represents the
mg
work done on the spring to stretch it a
distance x: Wela = − 1/2 kx2 = − PEela

• The work is stored in the spring as elastic

potential energy:

Elastic potential energy PEela= 1/2 kx2

Energy stored when a spring is compressed

• When you compress a spring, your force and displacement are

in the same direction, so you do positive work on the spring, the
energy you used is stored as elastic energy in the spring. Elastic
energy of the spring is increased as a result.
• Force used to compress = kd, d = compressed distance
1
• work required to compress a spring by d is 𝑘𝑘𝑑𝑑 2 =
2
elastic energy stored in the spring
 When you release the stretched or compressed spring

• When you release a stretched spring, the

spring exert a force on an object and
move the object back; so, it does positive
work on the object and increases its
kinetic energy

• Similarly, a compressed spring pushes

out the object and increases the kinetic
energy of the object.

• The elastic energy stored in a

Force
stretched or compressed spring Displacement
is converted into kinetic energy
of the object.
Elastic potential energy in a spring (graphical
representation)

• The elastic potential energy

stored in an ideal spring is
Uela = 1/2 kx2.
• The figure at the right shows
a graph of the elastic potential x < 0, spring is x > 0 spring
compressed is stretched
energy for an ideal spring.

• It is a parabola > 0
Spring mass system
• A mass is attached to a spring. The mass is free to move and it can
compress and elongate the spring by its motion.
N

W
• The mass has kinetic energy due to motion. The spring has elastic
energy due to compression or elongation
• The elastic energy can be converted in kinetic energy or vice versa
• i.e. the elastic potential energy + the kinetic energy is a constant for the
spring mass system, if there is no other external force.

• The gravitational force is cancelled by the normal force. So they are

not considered
Energy diagram of spring mass system
• The energy diagram is the graph that shows the
potential-energy function PE = U(x) , kinetic energy
KE and the total mechanical energy E=KE+PE of the
mass spring system in an air track
• In the graph the kinetic energy equals E-U(x)

U(x)
Energy changes in a mass spring system

E C A
D B
Potential energy: multiple forces (conservative)
• When there are multiple forces (𝐹𝐹1 , 𝐹𝐹2 ,…),
the work-energy theorem becomes:
1 1
𝑊𝑊𝐹𝐹1 + 𝑊𝑊𝐹𝐹2 + ⋯ = ∆𝐾𝐾𝐸𝐸 = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣 2 − 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣02
2 2
• Conservative forces (gravity, elastic forces,…):
𝑊𝑊𝐺𝐺 = −∆𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝐺𝐺 𝑊𝑊𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = −∆𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒

• Non-conservative forces (friction, relaxing force):

𝑊𝑊𝑓𝑓 ≠ −∆𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 < 0  dissipative force
Finally, 𝑊𝑊𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = ∆𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾 + ∆𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝐺𝐺 +∆𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑊𝑊𝑓𝑓 → 𝑊𝑊𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜

• If no work done by other forces, or 𝑊𝑊𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 0 :

∆𝐾𝐾𝐸𝐸 + ∆𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝐺𝐺 + ∆𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = 0  Conservation of total energy

More potential energy: other forces

• Newtonian Gravitational potential outside earth

𝑀𝑀
𝑚𝑚𝑀𝑀 𝑚𝑚
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝐺𝐺 = −𝐺𝐺
𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟

≈ 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 }𝐻𝐻 = ∆𝑟𝑟 ≪ 𝑟𝑟

• Coulomb electric potential energy of electric charges

𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄 𝑞𝑞 𝑄𝑄
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑒𝑒 = 𝑘𝑘 + +
𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟
Application of conservation of mechanical energy
• We can use the conservation of mechanical energy to solve
problems.
• For example, we want to find the velocity of a falling object; we
can first find its kinetic energy, which equals the change in
potentials energy.
• From the kinetic energy, we can find the velocity easily.
• This can avoid using the force. This is convenient if the force
considered in not a constant. For example the force experienced
in a roller-coaster

The resultant of other forces (not include

gravitational force) are normal to the motion
in the roller coaster in this case and can be
ignored in the energy consideration
Examples
Motion with elastic potential energy
• Follow Example 7.7 using Figure 7.16 below.
• Follow Example 7.8.
𝑊𝑊𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = ∆𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾 + ∆𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 𝐾𝐾2 − 𝐾𝐾1 + 𝑈𝑈2 − 𝑈𝑈1
Only elastic (potential) energy,
no gravitational (potential) energy
A system having two potential energies and friction
• In Example 7.9 gravity, a spring, and friction all act on the
elevator.
• Follow Example 7.9 using Figure 7.17 at the right

∆𝐻𝐻 ≠ 0

∆𝑥𝑥 ≠ 0
final
 below y=0

friction
Work done by several forces

• Example 6.2 shows two

ways to find the total
work done by several
forces.
• Follow Example 6.2.
Forces on a hammerhead
• The hammerhead of a pile driver is
used to drive a beam into the ground.
• Follow Example 6.4 and see Figure
6.12 below.
Example 6.4
Example 6.4
Example 6.4
Example 6.4
Work done on a spring scale
• Example 6.6. A woman 600N steps on a bathroom scale that
contains a stiff spring (see figure below). In equilibrium, the spring
is compressed 1.0cm under her weight. Find the force constant of
the spring and the total work done on it during the compression.
Motion with a varying force
• An air-track glider is attached to a spring,
so the force on the glider is varying.
• Follow Example 6.7 using Figure 6.22.
Energy in projectile motion
• Two identical balls leave from the same height with the
same speed but at different angles.
• Follow Conceptual Example 7.3 using Figure 7.8.
 Moving a crate on an inclined plane with friction
• Follow Example 7.6
using Figure 7.11 to the
right.
• Notice that mechanical
energy was lost due to
friction.
Think questions
TQ 4.1

An elevator is being lowered at a constant

Motor
speed by a steel cable attached to an electric
motor. Which statement is correct?
Cable
v
A. The cable does positive work on the
elevator, and the elevator does positive Elevator
work on the cable.
B. The cable does positive work on the elevator, and the elevator
does negative work on the cable.
C. The cable does negative work on the elevator, and the
elevator does positive work on the cable.
D. The cable does negative work on the elevator, and the
elevator does negative work on the cable.
TQ 4.2

A 6.00-kg block and an 8.00-kg block

are connected as shown. When released,
the 6.00-kg block accelerates downward
and the 8.00-kg block accelerates to the
right. After each block has moved 2.00
cm, the force of gravity has done

A. more work on the 8.00-kg block than on the 6.00-kg block.

B. the same amount of work on both blocks.
C. less work on the 8.00-kg block than on the 6.00-kg block.
D. not enough information given to decide
TQ 4.3

A nonzero net force acts on an object. Which of the following

quantities could be constant?

A. the object’s kinetic energy

B. the object’s velocity
C. both of the above
D. none of the above
TQ 4.5
The two ramps shown are both frictionless. The heights y1 and y2
are the same for each ramp. A block of mass m is released from rest
at the left-hand end of each ramp. Which block arrives at the right-
hand end with the greater speed?

A. the block on the curved track

B. the block on the straight track
C. Both blocks arrive at the right-hand end with the same speed.
D. The answer depends on the shape of the curved track.
TQ 4.6

As a rock slides from A to B along

the inside of this frictionless
hemispherical bowl, mechanical
energy is conserved. Why?
(Ignore air resistance.)

A. The bowl is hemispherical.

B. The normal force is balanced by centrifugal force.
C. The normal force is balanced by centripetal force.
D. The normal force acts perpendicular to the bowl’s surface.
E. The rock’s acceleration is perpendicular to the bowl’s surface.