- #1
BrainSalad
- 53
- 1
The static friction force which provides the acceleration of a car does not move through a distance (the point of application is stationary with respect to the road at any instant). Isn't it that only external forces may change the translational kinetic energy of an object? If so, and if the only external force does no work, how does the car's kinetic energy change?
Obviously, there is no problem with energy conservation here (the chemical potential energy in the oxygen/gasoline mixture in the engine is converted to kinetic energy in the wheels and body of the car). But doesn't this mean that the kinetic energy of a system may change without net work being done?
Obviously, there is no problem with energy conservation here (the chemical potential energy in the oxygen/gasoline mixture in the engine is converted to kinetic energy in the wheels and body of the car). But doesn't this mean that the kinetic energy of a system may change without net work being done?