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Where U(x 0) is the potential energy of the system at itschosen reference configuration. The potential energy U can be obtained from the applied force F The unit ofpotential energy is the Joule (J). Which will be the definition of the potential energy. The change in the potential energy of the system can now be related tothe amount of work done on the system The work-energy theorem discussed in Chapter 7 relates the amount ofwork W to the change in the kinetic energy of the system Thismeans that every change in the kinetic energy of a system must beaccompanied by an equal but opposite change in the potential energy: Conservation ofenergy tells us that the total energy of the system is conserved, and inthis case, the sum of kinetic and potential energy must be constant. The stored energy is called potential energy. Thiskinetic energy was somehow stored in the mass when it was hanging from theceiling: the energy was hidden, but has the potential to reappear as kineticenergy. Ifthe cord breaks, the mass will rapidly increase its kinetic energy. "Ĝonsider a system of particles, completely isolated from outside influence.As the particles move about and interact with each other, there are certainproperties of the system that do not change "Ī mass hanging from the ceiling will have a kinetic energy equal to zero.
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The conservation lawsin physics can be expressed in very simple form: In this chapter we will discuss conservation of energy.
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