Conservation of energy- setting it up

In summary, the conversation is about a physics problem involving the conservation of energy. The speaker is confused about the first equation in the solution, where the total energy before is equal to the total energy after. They are unsure about the logic behind this and question the absence of potential energy in the equation. They also mention that their physics teacher has not solved any problems or provided examples in class. Later, they come to the conclusion that the energy released in the problem goes into the two He particles and is converted into kinetic energy, causing the absence of potential energy in the equation.
  • #1
Fellowroot
92
0

Homework Statement



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Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I do not understand how in the solution they come up with the first equation that I boxed in with green.

I know that the total energy before is equal to the total energy after but I don't understand the logic of how they formed that first equation. It looks like KE+KE=E to me. What happened to the PE potential energy? And how can the KE of the 2 He atoms be equal to the energy released with the atoms?

I would only think that it would be (PE)Beryllium= 2(KE+PE)Helium+92.0keV

Also, I am two days into the class and my physics teacher has NOT solved a single problem. Has this happened to anyone else?

EDIT: OK, I think I got it? 92.0keV of energy is released which goes into the two He particles and somehow they are traveling at Vmax so there is no PE? That's my guess.
 

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  • #2
OK, I asked my teacher why the PE was not in the equation.

He said something about how the gravitational PE is so small that you can neglect it.

This is now the third day of class and he has NOT solved a single problem or done an example on the board.
 

FAQ: Conservation of energy- setting it up

What is the conservation of energy and why is it important?

The conservation of energy is a fundamental law of physics that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. It is important because it helps us understand and predict the behavior of physical systems, and allows us to make more efficient use of energy resources.

How do you set up an experiment to demonstrate the conservation of energy?

To set up an experiment to demonstrate the conservation of energy, you will need to identify the system or object that you want to observe, and all the forms of energy that are involved. Then, you can measure and record the initial energy of the system, and observe any changes in energy as the system undergoes transformations. Finally, you can compare the final energy with the initial energy to see if they are equal, thus demonstrating the conservation of energy.

What are some examples of energy transformations that demonstrate conservation of energy?

Some examples of energy transformations that demonstrate conservation of energy include a pendulum swinging back and forth, a battery powering a lightbulb, and a roller coaster going up and down its track. In each of these cases, the energy is transformed from one form to another, but the total amount of energy remains the same.

Can the conservation of energy be violated or broken?

No, the conservation of energy is a fundamental law of physics that has been extensively tested and has always been found to hold true. Therefore, it cannot be violated or broken under normal circumstances. However, in extreme cases such as black holes or the big bang, our current understanding of physics breaks down and the conservation of energy may not hold true.

How does the conservation of energy relate to sustainable energy practices?

The conservation of energy is closely related to sustainable energy practices because it emphasizes the importance of using energy efficiently and reducing waste. By conserving energy and using renewable sources of energy, we can reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources and minimize the negative impact on the environment. Additionally, understanding the conservation of energy can help us develop more efficient technologies for harnessing and utilizing sustainable energy sources.

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