PHYS 2211 - Principles of Physics I
Lesson 19 - Conservation of Energy I

Study Assignment:

Chapter 8: Sections 8.1 - 8.3

Lesson notes:

In the last lesson we developed the law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy which is only applicable when all forces acting on the system are conservative. In that lesson we also developed an expression for the gravitational potential energy function. In this lesson, we will add the elastic (spring) potential energy function and then consider the effects of nonconservative forces.

Objectives:

1. Understand the law of conservation of mechanical energy for conservative forces and be able to apply it to problems.

2. Understand the generalized work-energy theorem and be able to apply it to problems involving both conservative and non-conservative forces.

Homework:

TQ: 8-10
TP: 8-7, 8-10, 8-15

Last update: September 25, 2007