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obsidianvault/physics/Work Energy and Power/Work.md
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2026-08-17 08:24:02 -04:00

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Work Energy and Power

Summary

  • Work transfers energy in or out of a system. It's a scalar.
  • W=fd\cos \theta for constant forces.
  • Work equals F_{||} versus displacement integral.
  • Conservative forces do path independent work that is zero in a full loop and stays the same no matter what path is taken to the endpoint (e.g. gravity) while non-conservative forces care about the path taken (e.g. air resistance).
  • Net work = \Delta K = \Sigma W_i

Conservative vs Non Conservative

  • Potential energy is conservative only

  • examples of conservative are gravity and spring

  • Conservative essentially means the work done only changes mechanical energy

  • Non conservatives do work that convert mechanical energy into things like thermal energy (e.g. friction)

  • Usually converted to sound or thermal energy

Work by a constant force formula: W=F_{||}d=Fd\cos \theta W is in joules F is force in newtons d is displacement \theta is the angle between the force and displacement vector

Net work is the sum of work done by each force: W_{net}=\Sigma F_{||,i}d

Parallel component: F_{||}=F\cos \theta

Parallel component: F_{\perp}=F\sin \theta

Work-Energy Theorem:

\Delta K=\Sigma_iW_i=\frac{1}{2}mv^2_f-\frac{1}{2}mv^2_i

Net work = change in kinetic energy

For friction the mechanical energy lost to friction is modelled as: \Delta E_{mech}=F_fd\cos\theta When friction acts in the opposite direction to the motion (it usually is) the equation is modelled as: \Delta E_{mech}=-F_fd Work equals integral of the parallel force component F_{||} versus d