Energy Notes - Overview

Energy Table of Contents:

(For a detailed list of expectations, see Terms and Objectives.) Spring Force Animation

Concepts
- Concept Summary(PowerPoint) (download the PowerPoint presentation)

The Work/Energy Equation
- Deriving the Work/Energy Equation
- An Alternate Derivation of the Work/Energy Equation
- Kinetic Energy
  - Calculating the Kinetic Energy of an object
  - Kinetic Energy is not the same as Momentum
- Work
  - Work done by a constant force
    - Work done by a force in the direction of motion
    - Work done by a force in the direction opposite the motion
    - Work done by a force perpendicular to the motion
    - Work done when no motion occurs
    - Work is not Force!
    - Some numerical examples of calculating work
    - A More Mathematical Look at Work
    - Vectors and Work
  - Work done by a varying force
    - Work done by the average force
    - Work as area
    - Work done to stretch a spring
      - A more-mathematical view
    - Work - the general case
  - The Work-Energy Equation Revisited (AP)
- Power
- Applying the Work/Energy Equation to Stopping a Car
  - A more-algebraic approach to the problem
- Quiz on Kinetic Energy, Work, & Power
Potential Energy
- Storing Work/Energy
- Lifting a Book - Work Done Against Gravity
- Pushing a Book - Work Done Against Friction
- Conservative and Non-conservative forces
  - Properties of Conservative Forces
- Calculating Potential Energy - In General
  - Gravitational Potential Energy
  - Elastic (Spring) Potential Energy
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
- Free Fall and Conservation of Energy
- Conservation of Energy and the Simple Pendulum
- Conservation of Energy on a Spring
- Simple Machines
  - Mechanical Advantage
  - Efficiency of a Machine
  - Inclined Plane
  - Simple Pulley
  - Multiple Pulleys
  - Lever
    - Class 1
    - Class 2
    - Class 3
- Conservation of Energy in General
  - Work - What is it really?
  - Conservation of Energy in Living Organisms
  - Perpetual Motion Machines
Quiz on Conservation of Energy

Labs and Activities
- Force and Distance on an Incline (Data Table)
- The Simple Pulley (Data Table)
- Work and Power
- Work & Kinetic Energy - Test the work/energy equation using a dynamics track and Science Workshop^TM
  - Data & Analysis sheet
Java Applets
- Work Done by a Constant Force (download)
- Energy of Free Fall- 1 (download)
- Energy of Free Fall - 2 (download)
- Energy of Projectiles (download)
- Energy of a Pendulum (download)
- Energy of Simple Harmonic Motion (download)
Interactive Physics Simulations
- Work & Energy Simulation
- Energy of a Ball in Free Fall Simulation
- Energy of a Pendulum Simulation
Demonstrations
Supplements
Links
- The Physics Classroom - Work, Energy, & Power - Very good!
- CPSurf Learning Links for Chapter 8 - good stuff!
- The Physics Department - Mechanics, Energy - from Zona Land. Very well done.

last update February 22, 2009 by JL Stanbrough