Work and Energy
Beginner
work-energy
Source: High school physics (Chinese)
Problem Sets:
work/energy basic
Problem
A 100 kg sled slides on a horizontal ice track with an initial velocity of 6 m/s. The sled does 1000 J of work against sliding friction.
What is the final velocity of the sled?
$v_f = 4$ m/s
According to the work-energy theorem, the net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy, $W_{net} = \Delta K$. The work done by friction is negative, $W_f = -1000$ J.
$$W_f = K_f - K_i$$ $$W_f = \frac{1}{2}mv_f^2 - \frac{1}{2}mv_i^2$$Solving for the final velocity $v_f$:
$$v_f = \sqrt{v_i^2 + \frac{2W_f}{m}}$$Substituting the values:
$$v_f = \sqrt{(6 \text{ m/s})^2 + \frac{2(-1000 \text{ J})}{100 \text{ kg}}} = \sqrt{36 - 20} \text{ m/s} = \sqrt{16} \text{ m/s}$$