Explain How to use the relationship between total work and change in kinetic energy when the forces are not constant, the object follows a curved path, or both?

College Physics
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ISBN:9781938168000
Author:Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
Publisher:Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
Chapter7: Work, Energy, And Energy Resources
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Explain How to use the relationship between total work and change in kinetic energy when the forces are not constant, the object follows a curved path, or both?

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Step 1

We know, the work-energy theorem when a constant force acts:

Physics homework question answer, step 1, image 1

 

 

Step 2

We can now prove that this theorem is true even when the force varies with position.

Since the force is varying, we'll use the integral form of the work-done equation. Imagine dividing displacement due to varying force in small segments and taking its limiting value. We get.

Physics homework question answer, step 2, image 1

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