Question

The kinetic energy of an object of mass moving at a speed is defined as . It seems reasonable to say that the speed of an object--and, therefore, its kinetic energy--can be changed by performing work on the object. In this problem, we will explore the mathematical relationship between the work done on an object and the change in the kinetic energy of that object.

Let us now consider the situation quantitatively. Let the mass of the sled be   and the magnitude of the net force acting on the sled be. The sled starts from rest.

Consider an interval of time during which the sled covers a distance and the speed of the sled increases from  to . We will use this information to find the relationship between the work done by the net force (otherwise known as the network) and the change in the kinetic energy of the sled.

H)

Find the net force  acting on the sled.

Express your answer in terms of someor all of the variables ,,, and .

I)

Find the net work  done on the sled.

Express your answer in terms of someor all of the variables  and .

The kinetic energy of an object of mass moving at a speed is defined as . It seems reasonable to say that the speed of anobject--and, therefore, its kinetic energy--can be changed byperforming work on the object. In this problem, we willexplore the mathematical relationship between the work done on anobject and the change in the kinetic energy of that object.

Let us now consider the situationquantitatively. Let the mass of the sled be  and the magnitude of the net force acting on the sled be. The sled starts from rest.

Consider an interval of time duringwhich the sled covers a distance and the speed of the sled increases from  to . We will use this information to find the relationshipbetween the work done by the net force (otherwise known as thenet work) and the change in the kinetic energy of thesled.

H)

Find the net force  acting on the sled.

Express your answer in terms of someor all of the variables ,,, and .

I)

Find the net work  done on the sled.

Express your answer in terms of someor all of the variables  and .