Work-Energy for

Particle Systems

Lecture 37
ME 231: Dynamics

Question of the Day

Three freight cars with weights and velocities

shown impact each other and become coupled
together with a common velocity v = 0.355 mph.
Determine the percentage loss of energy due to
coupling.

WA 130,000 lb

WB

100,000 lb
ME 231: Dynamics

WC

150,000 lb

Outline for Today







Question of the day

Work-energy relation for systems
Kinetic energy expression for systems
Conservation of energy
Answer your questions!

ME 231: Dynamics

Recall: Principle of Work and Kinetic Energy

 The kinetic energy T of a particle is

1 2
mv
2

 Work done to bring a particle from velocity v1 to

a velocity v2

U12

1
2
2
mv 2  v1 
2

U12

T2  T1

T1  U12

'T
T2

ME 231: Dynamics

(work-energy eq.)

Work-Energy Relation for Particle Systems: 6i

All gravitational and elastic forces are doing work!

 The kinetic energy T of a particle system is

6Ti

1
2
6 mi vi
2

 Work done to bring a particle system from

kinetic energy T1 to a kinetic energy T2

6U12 i

6'Ti

6T1 i  6U1 2 i
ME 231: Dynamics

6T2 i

Recall: Work-Energy Equation

 The work of all external forces other

than gravitational and spring forces is

U1c2

'T  'V

T1  V1  U1c 2

T2  V2

ME 231: Dynamics

U1c 2

(work-energy eq.)

Work-Energy Relation for Particle Systems: 6i

System includes gravitational and elastic members!

 The work of all external forces other

than gravitational and spring forces is

6U1c2 i

6U1c 2 i

6'Ti  6'Vi

6T1 i  6V1 i  6U1c 2 i

ME 231: Dynamics

6T2 i  6V2 i

Kinetic Energy Expression for Systems

6Ti

1
2
6 mi vi
2

vi

v   i

1
1
6Ti 6 mi v i v i 6 mi v   i  v   i 
2
2
1
1
2
2
6Ti 6 mi v  6 mi U i  6mi v  i
2
2
6Ti

1
1
2
mv  6 mi U i
2
2
ME 231: Dynamics

Conservation of Energy for Particle Systems

6'Ti  6'Vi
6T1 i  6V1 i

6T2 i  6V2 i

 A conservative system does not lose energy

by virtue of internal friction or inelastic
members which dissipate energy
 If no work is done on a conservative
system, the total energy is constant (law
of conservation of dynamical energy)

ME 231: Dynamics

Work-Energy:
Exercise 1

v0
b

m0
m0  2m

Two spheres connected by a cord are initially at

rest on a horizontal surface and a projectile hits
the middle of the cord.
Determine the velocity v when
ME 231: Dynamics

T approaches 90.

Work-Energy: Exercise 2

Three steel balls, each of mass 2.75 kg, are

connected by hinged links of negligible mass.
They are released from rest in the position
shown and slide down the quarter-circular guide.
When all spheres reach the
bottom, their velocity is 1.56
m/s.
Determine the energy loss
due to friction.
ME 231: Dynamics

For Next Time

 Read Chapter 4, Section 4.3

 Read Chapter 8, Section 8.1
 SAIS response rate = 89% (58 of 65)

ME 231: Dynamics