Physics 211: Lecture 12

Today's Agenda
 Problems using work/energy theorem
 Spring shot
 Escape velocity
 Loop the loop
 Vertical springs

 Definition of Power, with example

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 1

 Problem: Spring Shot
 A sling shot is made from a pair of massless springs each
having spring constant k. The initial length of each spring is x0.
A puck of mass m is placed at the point connecting the two
springs and pulled back so that the length of each spring is x1.
The puck is released. What is its speed v after leaving the
springs? (The relaxed length of each spring is xr).

x1 xr
x0

m m m
v

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 2

 Problem: Spring Shot

 Only conservative forces are at work, so K+U energy is

conserved. EI = EF K = -Us

1
2
 2 2
 
U s  2  k  x0  x r    x1  x r   k  x0  x r    x1  x r 
2 2


x1
x0

m m

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 3

 Problem: Spring Shot

 Only conservative forces are at work, so K+U energy is

conserved. EI = EF K = -Us

1
K  mv 2
2

m at rest m
v

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 4

 Spring
Problem: Spring Shot Shot

 Only conservative forces are at work, so K+U energy is

conserved. EI = EF K = -Us

1
2

mv 2  k  x0  x r    x1  x r 
2 2


 Spring had initial PE, mass has final KE

m m
v

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 5

 Problem: How High?

 A projectile of mass m is launched straight up from the surface of the earth

with initial speed v0. What is the maximum distance from the center of the
earth RMAX it reaches before falling back down. (Ignore earth’s rotation)

RMAX m
RE Hint:
v0
Mass intially has
kinetic energy, but
finally has only
potential energy

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 6

 Problem: How High...
 All forces (ony gravity) are
conservative:
 W = 0, and therefore:
NC
 And we know:
 E = K+U = 0
1
  K = - U K   mv 02
2
 K = Kfinal – Kinitial
  1 1 
 Same for potential energy U    GMm   
  RMAX RE 
RMAX m
 1 1 
U  GMm   
RE R
 E RMAX 
v0

hMAX

1  1 1 
M mv 0  GMm
2
 

2  RE RMAX 
Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 7
 Problem: How High...
1  1 1 

mv 0  GMm
2
 
2 
 RE RMAX 
RMAX m
 1 1  RE
v  2GM 
2
  v0
0 R 
 E RMAX 
hMAX
 GM   RE 
  
 2  2 RE 1  

 RE   RMAX  M
 RE 

 2 gRE 1  
 RMAX 
  R MAX 
RE
v 02 RE v 02
1  1
2 gRE
2 gRE RMAX

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 8

 Escape Velocity

RE
R MAX 
v 02
1
2 gRE

 If we want the projectile to escape to infinity we need to make the denominator in the above equation zero:

v 02 v 02
1 0 1 v 0  2 gRE
2 gR E 2 gRE

We call this value of v0 the escape velocity, vesc

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 9

 v 0  2 gRE
Escape Velocity
GM
 Remembering that g find the
we
2
escape velocity from
RE
a planet of mass Mp and radius Rp to be: GM p
v esc  2
(where G = 6.67 x 10-11 m3 kg-1 s-2). Rp

Rp(m) Mp(kg) gp(m/s2) vesc(m/s)

Earth 6.378x106 5.976x1024 9.81 11.2x103

Moon 1.737x106 7.349x1022 1.62 2.38x103

Jupiter 7.149x107 1.900x1027 24.8 59.5x103

Sun 6.950x108 1.989x1030 275 618.x103

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 10

 Lecture 12, Act 1
Escape Velocity
 Two identical spaceships are awaiting launch on two planets with the same mass. Planet 1 is
stationary, while Planet 2 is rotating with an angular velocity .
 Which spaceship needs more fuel to escape to infinity?

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) same

 

(1) (2)

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 11

 Lecture 12, Act 1
Solution
 Both spaceships require the same escape velocity to reach infinity.
 Thus, they require the same kinetic energy.
 Both initially have the same potential energy.
 Spaceship 2 already has some kinetic energy due to its rotational motion, so it requires less work (i.e.
less fuel).

earth earth earth

In absence of gravity,
rocket is flung off the earth when released from launch pad
vflung = 2RE / 24 hr  465 m/s
Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 12
 Lecture 12, Act 1
Solution
 When we include gravity, the thrust of the rocket is directed
toward the center of the earth and this provides a force
against gravity that is in the direction of gravity
 The radial velocity increases, and as the rocket moves to the
left, more of its thrust pushes to the left
 In the end the velocity of the rocket will be to the left
 The direction the rocket is flung from the earth is in the same
direction as it ends up going, so it has an initial velocity in the
right direction
In real rockets, there is a
thrust in the  direction, too…

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 13

v = r Lecture 12, Act 1
Aside
 This is one of the reasons why all of the world’s spaceports
are located as close to the equator as possible.

r1
r 2 > r1
r2
1 1
K2 = m(r2)2 > K1 = m(r1)2
2 2

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 14

 Problem: Space Spring
 A low budget space program decides to launch a 10,000 kg spaceship into space using a big
spring. If the spaceship is to reach a height RE above the surface of the Earth, what distance d
must the launching spring be compressed if it has a spring constant of 108 N/m.

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 16

 Problem: Space Spring...

 Since gravity is a conservative force, energy is conserved.

Since K = 0 both initially and at the maximum height (v = 0)
we know:
 Ubefore = Uafter
 (US + UG )before = (UG )after

 1 2 GMm   GMm 
 kd     
2 RE   2 RE 

1 2 GMm 2 GMm GMm GMm
kd     d 
2 2 RE 2 RE 2 RE kRE

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 17

 Problem: Space Spring
GMm
So we find d 
kRE

 For the numbers given, d = 79.1 m

 But don’t get too happy...

F = kd = ma d
a = kd/m
a = 79.1 x 104 m/s2
a = 80,600 g a
unhappy astronaut! k

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 18

 Problem: Loop the loop

 A mass m starts at rest on a frictionless track a distance H

above the floor. It slides down to the level of the floor
where it encounters a loop of radius R. What is H if the
mass just barely makes it around the loop without losing
contact with the track.

H
R

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 19

 Problem: Loop the loop

 Draw a FBD of the mass at

N
the top of the loop:
 FTOT = -(mg+N) j
 ma = -mv2/R j
 If it “just” makes it, N = 0. v
 mg = mv2/R mg

v  Rg

v
j
H
R
i
Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 20
v  Rg Loop
Problem: Loop the loop the
Loop
 Now notice that K+U energy is conserved. K = -U.
 U = -mg(h) = -mg(H-2R)
 K = 1/2 mv2 = 1/2 mRg

5
mg(H-2R) = 1/2 mRg H R
2

h = H - 2R
v

H
R

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 21

 Lecture 12, Act 2
Energy Conservation
 A mass starts at rest on a frictionless track a distance H above the floor. It slides down to the level of
the floor where it encounters a loop of radius R. What is H if the normal force on the block by the track
at the top of the loop is equal to the weight of the block ?

(a) 3R (b) 3.5R (c) 4R

H
R

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 22

 Lecture 12, Act 2
Solution
 Draw a FBD of the mass at
N
the top of the loop:
 FNET = -(mg+N) j
 ma = -mv2/R j
 In this case, N = mg. v
 2mg = mv2/R mg

v 2  2Rg

v
j
H
R
i
Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 23
v 2  2Rg
Lecture 12, Act 2
Solution
 Use the fact that K+U energy is conserved: K = -U.

 U = -mg(h) = -mg(H - 2R), K = 1/2 mv2 = mRg

 mg(H - 2R) = mRg

H  3R

h = H - 2R
v

H
R

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 24

 Vertical Springs

 A spring is hung vertically. Its (a) (b)

relaxed position is at y = 0 (a). When j
a mass m is hung from its end, the
new equilibrium position is ye (b). k

 Recall that the force of a spring

is Fs = -kx. In case (b) y=0
Fs = mg and x = ye:

-kye - mg = 0 (ye < 0) y = ye

m
mg = -kye
mg -kye
(ok since ye is a negative number)

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 25

 Vertical Springs

 The potential energy of the spring- (a) (b)

mass system is: j
1 2 k
U  ky  mgy  C
2
but mg = -kye
y=0
1 2
U ky  ky e y  C
2
y = ye
choose C to make U=0 at y = ye: m

1 2 2 1 2
0 ky e  ky e  C C ky e
2 2

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 26

 Vertical Springs

 So: (a) (b)

j
1 2 1
U = ky - ky e y + ky e 2 k
2 2
1
( )
= k y 2 + y e 2 - 2y e y
2 y=0
which can be written:
y = ye
m
1
U  k y  ye 
2

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 27

 Vertical Springs

(a) (b)
1 j
k y  ye 
2
U
2
k
 So if we define a new y coordinate
system such that y = 0 is at the
equilibrium position, ( y = y - ye )
then we get the simple result:

y = 0
1 m
U  ky 2

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 28

 Vertical Springs

 If we choose y = 0 to be at the equilibrium position of the mass

hanging on the spring, we can define the potential in the simple form.
(a) (b)
j
 Notice that g does not appear in this expression!!
k
1
 By choosing our coordinates and constants cleverly, we can hide
2
U 
the effects of gravity.
ky
2

y=0
m

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 29

 160
140
U of Spring
120

U 100
US = 1/2ky2
80
60
40
20
0
-20-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10

-40 y
-60

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 30

 160
140
U of Gravity
120

U 100
80
60
40
UG = mgy
20
0
-20-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10

-40 y
-60

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 31

 160
140
U of Spring + Gravity UNET = UG + US
120

U 100
US = 1/2ky2
80
60
40
UG = mgy
20
0
-20-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10

-40 y
-60
ye 0

shift due to mgy term

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 32

 160
140 Choose C such as to
U of Spring + Gravity
120 show that the new
equilibrium position
U 100
80 has zero potential
60 energy:
40
20 UNET =UG + US + C
0
-20-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10

-40 y US = 1/2ky2
-60
ye 0

shift due to mgy term

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 33

 Lecture 12, Act 3
Energy Conservation
 In (1) a mass is hanging from a spring.
In (2) an identical mass is held at the height of the end of the
same spring in its relaxed position.
 Which correctly describes the relation of the potential
energies of the two cases?

(a) U1 > U2 (b) U1 < U2 (c) U1 = U2

case 1 case 2

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 34

 Lecture 12, Act 3
Solution
 In case 1, it is simplest to choose the mass to have zero total
potential energy (sum of spring and gravitational potential
energies) at its equilibrium position.
1
 In case 2 the total potential energy is then U 2  kd 2.
2

relaxed

y=d
d
y = 0, U1 = 0

The answer is (b) U1 < U2.

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 35

 Vertical Springs:
Example Problem
 If we displace the mass a distance d from
equilibrium and let it go, it will oscillate up
& down. Relate the maximum speed of j
the mass v to d and the spring constant k.
k
 Since all forces are conservative,
E = K + U is constant.

 Choose zero of potential energy to be at m y=d

y=0

1 2 1 v y=0
We know: U  ky K  mv 2
2 2
y = -d

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 36

 Vertical Springs:
Example Problem Spring

1
 At the initial stretched position U  kd 2
and K = 0 (since v=0). 2 j
1
 Since E=K+U is conserved, E = kd 2
will always be true ! 2 k

1 2 1 2 1
E kd  ky  mv 2
2 2 2 m y=d
 Energy is shared between the K and U terms.
 At y = d or -d the energy is all potential v y=0
 At y = 0, the energy is all kinetic.
1 1 k y = -d
kd 2  mv 2 v d
2 2 m

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 37

 Power Ladder

We have seen that W = F.rr
 This does not depend on time!

 Power is the “rate of doing work”: P  dW

dt

 If the force does not depend on

time: dW/dt = F.dr/dt = F.v P = F. v F

r
 Units of power: J/sec = N-m/sec = Watts

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 38

 y
Power x
v
 A 2000 kg trolley is pulled up
a 30 degree hill at 20 mi/hr
by a winch at the top of the
hill. How much power is the
winch providing?
T

The power is P = F. v = T .v

winch
 Since the trolley is not accelerating, the net force on it must be zero. In the x direction:
 T - mg sin  = 0
 T = mg sin 


mg

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 39

 y
Power x
v

P = T.v = Tv T
since T is parallel to v winch
 So P = mgv sin 

v = 20 mi/hr = 8.94 m/s mg
g = 9.81 m/s2
m = 2000 kg
sin  = sin(30o) = 0.5

and P = (2000 kg)(9.81 m/s2)(8.94 m/s)(0.5) = 87,700 W

But 1 horsepower is 745.6 W, so the power required for this

exercise is 87,700 W / 745.5 W per hp or 117.6 hp
Where can you get that? Try here

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 40

 Recap of today’s lecture

 Problems using work/energy theorem

 Spring shot
 Escape velocity
 Loop the loop
 Vertical springs

 Definition of Power, with example (Text: 6-2)

 Look at textbook problems Chapter 7: # 76, 79, 81, 85

Chapter 11: # 46

Physics 211: Lecture 12, Pg 41