WPE THEOREMS
Thursday, October 2, 2025 8:33 PM
Q16. (Spring compression by force)
Theorem 16. During uniform force compression, KE vs displacement is parabolic, peaking at half
maximum compression; PE grows quadratically.
Proof. Work done = Fáx. Split into KE + PE. KE peaks at force= spring force.
Q17. (Ball rebound)
Theorem 17. For ball dropped and rebounding to h2, work by ground = mg(h2 − h1), net work by non-
conservative = loss of energy.
Proof. Gravity work = mg(h1−h2). Total ΔK = 0. Net by ground = mg(h2−h1).
Q18. (Two blocks + spring)
Theorem 18. In system of masses M,2M and spring, max extension = (4Mg)/k, max KE of system =
(2M²g²)/k.
Proof. Equilibrium: spring tension balances forces. Energy stored = max.
Q19. (Pendulum string cut-off)
Theorem 19. For vertical circle, minimum speed at bottom = √(5gℓ). If speed lower, tension zero before
completing circle.
Proof. At top: v² ≥ gℓ. Energy difference from bottom = 2gℓ ⇒ v² ≥ 5gℓ.
Q20. (Sliding chain)
Theorem 20. For chain sliding on incline, acceleration is constant even as more mass comes on incline.
Proof. Force ∝ length on incline, mass ∝ total. Ratio constant.
Q21. (Lifting ball slowly)
Theorem 21. Slow lifting increases mechanical energy by mgΔh, but human muscles expend > mgΔh due
to inefficiency.
Proof. External agent supplies energy equal to gain in PE; biological cost > mechanical.
Q22. (Elastic string orbit)
Theorem 22. For elastic string of natural length ℓ, extension x=¼ℓ ⇒ centripetal speed v=5Fℓ16mv=
\sqrt{\tfrac{5F\ell}{16m}}v=16m5Fℓ. Kinetic : Potential ratio = 5:1.
Proof. Radial force balance + energy stored formula.
Q23. (Inclined polygon path)
Theorem 23. Work done by gravity and friction depends only on net vertical height, not path shape.
Proof. Work of conservative force path-independent; friction depends on vertical distance because N
varies with cosθ.
Q24. (Ball in moving wedge)
Theorem 24. In wedge+ball system (frictionless), horizontal momentum conserved, energy conserved;
speeds at symmetric levels equal.
Proof. Conservation laws apply to system since external forces vertical only.
Q25. (Elevator power)
Theorem 25. Average power during acceleration = total ΔE / Δt. Instantaneous power = force × velocity.
Proof. Apply work–energy principle to motor’s work.
Q26. (Spring with reversed force)
Theorem 26. On reversal of force, block oscillates about new equilibrium. Max extension can be related
to initial compression (ratios 2:1, 3:1 depending).
Proof. Energy conservation with reversed work of force.
Q27. (Block + spring on incline friction)
Theorem 27. Maximum speed occurs when net force = 0, i.e. spring force balances mg sinθ ± μmg cosθ.
Proof. Work-energy → KE max where acceleration = 0.
Q28. (Skateboarder on ramp)
Theorem 28. Height reached after ramp = v²sin²θ/(2g). Tangential acceleration on ramp = gsinθ
constant.
Proof. Resolve motion into components. Apply energy conservation.
Q29. (Track with friction)
Theorem 29. On horizontal patch, friction dissipates energy each cycle; particle stops when energy
< work needed to cross patch.
Proof. KE lost = μmgáℓ per crossing. Balance with available KE.
Q30. (Stone in vertical circle)
Theorem 30. Change in velocity magnitude between bottom and horizontal = √(u²−2gL). Change in
speed = u − √(u²−2gL). Change in acceleration magnitude = 2g.
Proof. Use vector geometry of velocities, energy conservation, radial equations
1. CIRCULAR MOTION – TIME-DEPENDENT KE
TRICK: Differentiate KE to get power, then aₜ = P/(mv)
FORMULA: at=2mm2K⋅dKdtat=m22Km⋅dtdK
GIVEN: K(t) = 2t², m, R
CONSTRAINTS: Circular path, no other tangential forces
2. TURNING POINTS IN 1D MOTION
TRICK: U(x) = E gives turning points
FORMULA: xturn=U−1(E)xturn=U−1(E)
GIVEN: U(x), total E
CONSTRAINTS: Conservative force, 1D motion
3. SPRING RELEASE FROM UNSTRETCHED
TRICK: Energy: GPE loss = SPE gain
FORMULA: xstop=2mgkxstop=k2mg
GIVEN: m, k
CONSTRAINTS: Released from rest, spring natural length
4. WORK IN DIFFERENT FRAMES
TRICK: Work changes with reference frame
FORMULA: Wframe=F⃗⋅d⃗frameWframe=F⋅dframe
GIVEN: F, displacements in different frames
CONSTRAINTS: Constant force
5. LOOP-THE-LOOP MINIMUM HEIGHT
TRICK: Top needs v² ≥ gR, energy gives H
FORMULA: Hmin=2.5RHmin=2.5R
GIVEN: R, starting height H
CONSTRAINTS: Frictionless, rest start
6. NORMAL REACTION IN VERTICAL CIRCLE
TRICK: N = mv²/R + mgcosθ - 2mg(1-cosθ)
FORMULA: N=mv2R+mgcos θ−2mg(1−cos θ)N=Rmv2+mgcosθ−2mg(1−cosθ)
GIVEN: v at position, m, R, θ from top
CONSTRAINTS: Circular path maintained
7. ROD TENSION CONDITION
TRICK: Rod allows compression, string doesn't
FORMULA: Tbottom=6mgTbottom=6mg for full circle
GIVEN: m, L, speed at bottom
CONSTRAINTS: Massless rigid rod
8. PENDULUM ACCELERATION COMPONENTS
TRICK: Radial and tangential separate
FORMULA: ar=v2L,at=gsin θar=Lv2,at=gsinθ
GIVEN: v, L, θ
CONSTRAINTS: Simple pendulum
9. QUADRATIC POTENTIAL RANGE
TRICK: U(x) = E gives symmetric bounds
FORMULA: xmax/min=a±E−U0xmax/min=a±E−U0
GIVEN: U(x) = a(x-b)² + c, total E
CONSTRAINTS: Symmetric potential
10. SPRING SLOWLY LOWERED
TRICK: GPE loss ≠ SPE gain due to external agent
FORMULA: ΔGPE=kx2,ΔSPE=12kx2ΔGPE=kx2,ΔSPE=21kx2
GIVEN: m, k
CONSTRAINTS: Quasi-static to equilibrium
11. CRITICAL COMPRESSION FOR ENERGY LOSS
TRICK: Spring energy fully dissipates in half-cycle
FORMULA: dcritical=4μmgkdcritical=k4μmg
GIVEN: m, k, μ
CONSTRAINTS: Rough horizontal surface
12. EQUILIBRIUM STABILITY FROM F–x
TRICK: Negative slope = stable
FORMULA: Stable if dFdx<0dxdF<0 at F=0
GIVEN: F(x) graph
CONSTRAINTS: Conservative force
13. WORK PARTITION AT CONSTANT SPEED
TRICK: One force's work = -sum of others
FORMULA: W2=−∑i≠2WiW2=−∑iÿ=2Wi
GIVEN: Work by some forces, constant v
CONSTRAINTS: Constant kinetic energy
14. NO-SLIP WORK IN FRAMES
TRICK: Zero work in contact frame, non-zero in ground
FORMULA: Wplank=0,Wground≠0Wplank=0,Wgroundÿ=0
GIVEN: Friction force, frame displacements
CONSTRAINTS: No slipping
15. PULLEY-SPRING SYSTEM
TRICK: Equal masses give equal initial acceleration
FORMULA: ainitial=Mg−mgsin θm+Mainitial=m+MMg−mgsinθ
GIVEN: m, M, k, θ
CONSTRAINTS: Spring unstretched initially
16. SPRING COMPRESSION BY CONSTANT FORCE
TRICK: Work by F equals final spring energy
FORMULA: xmax=2Fkxmax=k2F
GIVEN: F, k
CONSTRAINTS: Start from natural length
17. PROJECTILE MINIMUM KE
TRICK: Minimum at top, only horizontal velocity
FORMULA: Kmin=12m(v0cos θ)2Kmin=21m(v0cosθ)2
GIVEN: v₀, θ
CONSTRAINTS: Symmetric trajectory
18. FRICTION STOPPING DISTANCE
TRICK: Energy lost = mgh = friction work
FORMULA: dstop=hμdstop=μh
GIVEN: h, μ
CONSTRAINTS: Frictionless curve → rough horizontal
19. CIRCULAR BREAKOFF ANGLE
TRICK: T=0 when centripetal = radial gravity
FORMULA: cos θbreak=vbottom2−2gL3gLcosθbreak=3gLvbottom2−2gL
GIVEN: v at bottom, L
CONSTRAINTS: Vertical circle
20. CHAIN ON INCLINE FINAL SPEED
TRICK: Energy: mgΔh_COM = ½mv²
FORMULA: v=gsin θ⋅(L−b)v=gsinθ⋅(L−b)
GIVEN: L, b, θ
CONSTRAINTS: Smooth surface
21. MUSCLE WORK EFFICIENCY
TRICK: Biological work > mechanical work
FORMULA: Wmuscle=η⋅mghWmuscle=η⋅mgh (η > 1)
GIVEN: m, h
CONSTRAINTS: Slow lifting, human effort
22. ELASTIC STRING CIRCULAR MOTION
TRICK: Tension provides centripetal force
FORMULA: v=k(ΔL)2RmΔLv=mΔLk(ΔL)2R
GIVEN: k, m, natural length, stretched length
CONSTRAINTS: Hookean spring, circular orbit
23. FRICTION WORK ON INCLINE
TRICK: W_f = μ × normal × distance
FORMULA: Wf=μmgcos θ⋅path lengthWf=μmgcosθ⋅path length
GIVEN: μ, path length, θ
CONSTRAINTS: Constant μ
24. HEMISPHERICAL CUT MINIMUM HEIGHT
TRICK: Top needs v² ≥ gR
FORMULA: hmin=R2hmin=2R above bottom
GIVEN: R, starting height
CONSTRAINTS: Smooth surface
25. ELEVATOR AVERAGE POWER
TRICK: P_avg = total work/time
FORMULA: Pavg=12mv2+mghtPavg=t21mv2+mgh
GIVEN: m, v_cruise, t_acceleration, height gained
CONSTRAINTS: Constant acceleration
26. SPRING FORCE REVERSAL
TRICK: Force reversal doubles amplitude
FORMULA: xmax=2xinitialxmax=2xinitial
GIVEN: Initial compression x₁
CONSTRAINTS: Instant reversal, no damping
27. MAX SPEED WITH FRICTION
TRICK: Max speed when net force = 0
FORMULA: xmax speed=mgsin θ±μmgcos θkxmax speed=kmgsinθ±μmgcosθ
GIVEN: m, k, θ, μ
CONSTRAINTS: Released from natural length
28. RAMP EXIT HEIGHT
TRICK: Projectile from ramp - use energy + kinematics
FORMULA: H=v2sin 2θ2gH=2gv2sin2θ
GIVEN: v at ramp exit, θ
CONSTRAINTS: Smooth transition
29. MULTI-SEGMENT ENERGY LOSS
TRICK: Total friction work = μmg × total distance
FORMULA: Lost energy = μmg×total sliding distanceμmg×total sliding distance
GIVEN: μ, total sliding distance
CONSTRAINTS: Constant μ on horizontal parts
30. VELOCITY CHANGE IN VERTICAL CIRCLE
TRICK: Vector difference, not scalar difference
FORMULA: ∣Δv⃗∣=2(u2−gL)∣Δv∣=2(u2−gL)
GIVEN: u at bottom, L
CONSTRAINTS: Bottom to horizontal position