Gravitational Potential Energy

This page introduces the concept of energia potenziale gravitazionale (gravitational potential energy).

Gravitational potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position in a gravitational field.

Definition: Gravitational Potential Energy (U) = mgh, where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is height

Key points about gravitational potential energy: • It depends on the initial and final positions, not the path taken • Work done against gravity increases potential energy • Work done by gravity decreases potential energy

Formula: Change in Potential Energy ΔU = mg(hi - hf)

The page provides examples to illustrate these concepts:

Example: A 1.2kg book lifted 1.8m gains 21J of potential energy (U = 1.2kg · 9.8m/s² · 1.8m = 21J)

This section helps students understand how energy can be stored due to an object's position and how this relates to work done against or by gravitational forces.

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

This page explores the principle of conservation of mechanical energy, which is crucial for understanding energia cinetica e potenziale interactions.

Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energy: E = K + U

Highlight: In a closed system with only conservative forces, the total mechanical energy remains constant.

The page demonstrates how energy transforms between kinetic and potential forms during an object's motion:

Example: For a 5kg object falling from 10m height: • At the top: E = U = mgh = 5kg · 9.8m/s² · 10m = 490J • Midway (at 5m): E = K + U = 245J + 245J = 490J • At the bottom: E = K = ½mv² = 490J

This conservation principle allows for solving problems by equating initial and final energies:

Ei = Ef Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf

The section emphasizes how this principle simplifies many physics problems by eliminating the need to consider forces and accelerations at each point of motion.

Solving Energy Problems

This final page applies the concepts of energia cinetica e potenziale to solve more complex problems.

Example: A 400g ball is thrown from a 12m high balcony with an initial velocity of 5.0 m/s. The problem asks to:

1. Calculate the initial total energy
2. Determine the velocity at 8m height
3. Find the velocity when the ball reaches the ground

The solution demonstrates how to use energy conservation principles:

1. Initial energy: E = K + U = ½mv² + mgh = 5J + 47J = 52J

2. At 8m: E₁ = E₂, so ½mv₁² + mgh₁ = ½mv₂² + mgh₂ Solve for v₂ using the known values

3. At ground: All potential energy converts to kinetic ½mv² = 52J, so v = √(2·52J/0.4kg) ≈ 16.1 m/s

This page reinforces the practical application of energy concepts and formulas in solving real-world physics problems.

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

This page explores the principle of mechanical energy conservation.

Definition: Total mechanical energy (E = K + U) remains constant in the absence of non-conservative forces.

Example: For a 5kg mass at 10m height: Initial energy = mgh = 5kg · 9.8m/s² · 10m = 490J

Highlight: As an object falls, potential energy converts to kinetic energy while total mechanical energy remains constant.

Applied Energy Problems

This page presents complex Esercizi energia cinetica e potenziale.

Example: A 400g ball thrown from 12m height with initial velocity 5.0m/s:

• Initial energy = Kinetic + Potential = 5J + 47J = 52J
• Energy remains constant throughout motion

Work and Energy Fundamentals

This introductory page covers the basic concepts of work and energy in physics.

Work is defined as force applied over a distance, with the formula L = F · s · cos α, where L is work, F is force, s is displacement, and α is the angle between force and displacement.

Definition: Work (L) = Force (F) × Displacement (s) × cos(angle)

The unit of work is the joule (J), which equals 1 newton-meter (N·m).

Key points about work: • Work is zero if there is no displacement, even if force is applied • Maximum work occurs when force is parallel to displacement (cos 0° = 1) • No work is done when force is perpendicular to displacement (cos 90° = 0) • Negative work occurs when force opposes displacement (cos 180° = -1)

Example: Pushing against a wall applies force but does no work since there is no displacement.

The page also introduces the concept of energy as the capacity to do work, setting up further exploration of kinetic and potential energy in subsequent sections.