Illustrate the law of conservation of energy by discussing the energy changes which occur when we draw a pendulum bob to one side and allow it to oscillate. Why does the bob eventually come to rest? What happens to its energy eventually? Is it a violation of the law of conservation of energy?
The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor be destroyed. It can change from one form to another. Consider the case of an oscillating pendulum.
When a pendulum moves from its mean position P to either of its extreme positions A or B, it rises through a height h above the mean level P. At this point, the kinetic energy of the bob changes completely into potential energy. The kinetic energy becomes zero, and the bob possesses only potential energy. As it moves towards point P, its potential energy decreases progressively. Accordingly, the kinetic energy increases. As the bob reaches point P, its potential energy becomes zero and the bob possesses only kinetic energy. This process is repeated as long as the pendulum oscillates.
The bob does not oscillate forever. It comes to rest because air resistance resists its motion. The pendulum loses its kinetic energy to overcome this friction and stops after some time.
The law of conservation of energy is not violated because the energy lost by the pendulum to overcome friction is gained by its surroundings. Hence, the total energy of the pendulum and the surrounding system remain conserved.
An object of mass 40 kg is raised to a height of 5 m above the ground. What is its potential energy? If the object is allowed to fall, find its kinetic energy when it is half-way down.
Soni says that the acceleration in an object could be zero even when several forces are acting on it. Do you agree with her? Why?
A freely falling object eventually stops on reaching the ground. What happenes to its kinetic energy?
Define 1 J of work.
In each of the following a force, F is acting on an object of mass, m. The direction of displacement is from west to east shown by the longer arrow. Observe the diagrams carefully and state whether the work done by the force is negative, positive or zero.
Does the transfer of energy take place when you push a huge rock with all your might and fail to move it? Where is the energy you spend going?
The potential energy of a freely falling object decreases progressively. Does this violate the law of conservation of energy? Why?
The kinetic energy of an object of mass, m moving with a velocity of 5 m s-1 is 25 J. What will be its kinetic energy when its velocity is doubled? What will be its kinetic energy when its velocity is increased three times?
Certain force acting on a 20 kg mass changes its velocity from 5 m s-1 to 2 m s-1. Calculate the work done by the force.
A certain household has consumed 250 units of energy during a month. How much energy is this in joules?
Which of the following has more inertia: (a) a rubber ball and a stone of the same size? (b) a bicycle and a train? (c) a five-rupees coin and a one-rupee coin?
State the universal law of gravitation.
Which of the following are matter?
Chair, air, love, smell, hate, almonds, thought, cold, cold-drink, smell of perfume.
What is meant by a pure substance?
How does the sound produced by a vibrating object in a medium reach your ear?
In a reaction, 5.3 g of sodium carbonate reacted with 6 g of ethanoic acid. The products were 2.2 g of carbon dioxide, 0.9 g water and 8.2 g of sodium observations are in agreement with the law of conservation of mass.
sodium carbonate + ethanoic acid → sodium ethanoate + carbon dioxide + water
What are canal rays?
State any two conditions essential for good health.
How is our atmosphere different from the atmospheres on Venus and Mars?
Who discovered cells, and how?
What does a neuron look like?
What is the greenhouse effect?
What is the acceleration of free fall?
Why is water essential for life?
Why are sound waves called mechanical waves?
What is a tissue?
State any two conditions essential for good health.
Two objects of masses 100 g and 200 g are moving along the same line and direction with velocities of 2 m s-1 and 1 m s-1, respectively. They collide and after the collision, the first object moves at a velocity of 1.67 m s-1. Determine the velocity of the second object.
An object of mass 100 kg is accelerated uniformly from a velocity of 5 m s-1 to 8 m s-1 in 6 s. Calculate the initial and final momentum of the object. Also, find the magnitude of the force exerted on the object.
A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of 49 m/s. Calculate
(i) the maximum height to which it rises,
(ii) the total time it takes to return to the surface of the earth.