Re: Work-Energy or Work-Kinetic Energy??

[SCIAMANDA@edinboro.edu]

Tim asked:
> I just got into a discussio with a collegue on the interpretation of 
> the work-energy theorem, and we had quite different views on this basic 
> topic.  Is it W(net) = Delta(E), or W(net) = Delta(KE)?
> . . .
---------------------------------------------------------
> Timothy J. Folkerts            email:  tim.folkerts@valpo.edu
> Department of Physics          phone:  219-464-6634
> Valparaiso University
> Valparaiso, IN  46383

Tim,  F=ma can be turned into (for a particle, or the CM of a system)  
W(net) = Delta(KE).
If one or more of the forces are conservative, their contribution to 
W(net) can be written on the right hand side as a Delta(PE).  

I outlined this procedure in early October in the thread 
"Introducing Potential Energy".  I can re-post or e-mail to you, if 
you wish.

Hope this is helpful.

-Bob

Bob Sciamanda           sciamanda@edinboro.edu
Dept of Physics         sciamanda@worldnet.att.net
Edinboro Univ of PA     http://www.edinboro.edu/~sciamanda/home.html