- #1
fog37
- 1,568
- 108
Hello,
the work-kinetic energy theorem only considers kinetic energy KE and not potential energy PE.
This theorem states that the work done by any force, be it conservative or non conservative, is equal to the change in kinetic energy of the body. I know that potential energy cannot be associated to nonconservative forces because the potential energy would be multi-valued and ambiguous in that case.
fog37
the work-kinetic energy theorem only considers kinetic energy KE and not potential energy PE.
This theorem states that the work done by any force, be it conservative or non conservative, is equal to the change in kinetic energy of the body. I know that potential energy cannot be associated to nonconservative forces because the potential energy would be multi-valued and ambiguous in that case.
- The portion of the kinetic energy change due to the work done by conservative forces is equal to the negative change of PE, correct?
- What happens when the rockets on a spacecraft lift the craft vertically upward? The nonconservative force of the rockets change (increase) the kinetic energy of the spacecraft changes but also the gravitational potential energy increases (due to the increase in height). How do we reconcile the fact that this nonconservative force (rocket propulsion) changes the gravitational PE? If it does not, what force is providing the energy that gets stored in the gravitational PE?
fog37