The Energy Principle: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:04, 19 April 2020

The Energy Principle
The basis of the energy principle can be described with the statement, "energy can neither be created nor destroyed." Thus, energy may only flow from one system to its surroundings. The observable universe is comprised of this system and everything else not in the system called the surroundings. The energy principle is used to describe changes in energy on a system. These energies can take numerous different forms including Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, Chemical Energy, Rest Energy, and Thermal Energy. Creating boundaries allows for the conservation of these different types energy in that energy is not lost nor is it gained, it is simply transferred into other forms. Any energy moving over the boundaries therefore can be accounted for having been transferred from a system to its surroundings and vice versa. This notion is the core idea informing the Energy Principle: The change in energy of the system should be equal to the energy inputs from surroundings.

The Main Idea

The Energy Principle, also referred to as The First Law of Thermodynamics, defines the transfer of energy between systems. It is defined with the fact that the change of the energy of system is equal to the work surrounding in addition to heat transfers from the surroundings as well. This principle can be modeled by the equations:

(1) ΔE = Q+W
(2) ΔE_system + ΔE _surroundings = 0

You can see that these equations (particularly equation 2) describe Conservation of Energy, which is a main idea in physics, particularly in this course!

How will we use the energy principal?

In this course, we can apply the Energy Principal to many different scenarios. We can track how energy takes on different forms during an event. Whether its potential energy being turned into kinetic energy when a woman goes bungee jumping, or electrical energy turning into heat as you use your laptop, the transformation of energy can tell us a lot about a given scenario.

A basic outline for how to solve a problem using the energy principal:

(1) Determine the different types of energy associated with the problem
(2) Determine if there are values for Q and W (heat and work) associated with the problem
(3) Determine the equations for each type of energy identified
(4) Plug these into the energy equation and solve for the unknowns

Don’t worry if you’re not sure how these steps are worked out yet – you will soon!

Single Particle vs Multi Particle Systems

As with many concepts in physics, calculating the energy for the multi particle system is exactly the same as calculating the energy for a single particle system – except for the fact that you will need to account for multiple particles.

For example, If a system of one particle has a kinetic energy of 100J, then the total kinetic energy for that system is 100J. If another system consists of three particles, each with a kinetic energy of 20J, then the total kinetic energy of this system is 60J.

The same idea applies for gravitational potential energy, electric potential energy, etc.

Here is that same concept in another form:

KE_final + U_final = Work_surr + Q + KE_intial + U_initial

For a multi-particle system: E_system=(K₁+K₂+K₃+…)+(U_1,2+U_1,3+U_2,3+…)

Click here for a demonstration of the Energy Principle

Mathematical Models

These are the main equations you will be using to solve problems using the Energy Principal. We will add more equations later when describing the differing types of energy (kinetic, potential gravitational, energy of a single particle approaching the speed of light, etc) but for now, just focus on these. The Energy Principle
EQ 1: [math]\displaystyle{ {∆E} = {Q + W} }[/math] where [math]\displaystyle{ {Q} }[/math] is heat and [math]\displaystyle{ {W} }[/math] is the amount of work acting on the system.

EQ 2: [math]\displaystyle{ {∆E} = {∆K + ∆E_{Rest} + ∆U + ∆E_{Thermal}} }[/math] - the different types of energy that can be associated with a given particle in a system. Not all have to be present. These terms will vary based on the internal properties of the system being observed.

A Computational Model

These gifs demonstrate the energy principal from a Conservation of Energy standpoint. As the ball on a spring approaches the equilibrium point, the kinetic energy increases and the spring potential decreases. These values will oscillate, but the total energy will stay constant! This demonstration was written in GlowScript and iteratively updates the ball's momentum while taking into account the spring force.

Examples

Simple

Car Crash:

Two cars are in a parking lot. The first car crashes into the second car, which is initially at rest. The final kinetic energy of the first car is 50J and the final kinetic energy of the second car is 30J. What is the initial kinetic energy of the system?

Step 1: Draw the problem and write out what you know

Step 2: Apply the Energy Principle

Remember - Kinetic energy is a scalar, not a vector - express your answer as such!

Difficult

A rollercoaster with passengers has a mass of 2500kg. The rollercoaster is powered to the top of a 25m hill where it pauses for a moment at rest. It then plunges down the hill to ground level where it enters a 15m high vertical loop.

What is the speed of the rollercoaster at the top of the vertical loop?

Step One: Draw the problem out, write out the variables you know, and the one you are trying to solve.

Step 2: Apply the Energy Principle

Connectedness

One of the best ways to illustrate the Energy Principle in the real world is to imagine someone holding the ball over the top of a building. Since the person is holding the ball, the ball is not moving and has 0J of kinetic energy, however, since the ball is at its highest point, it will have its greatest potential energy because of U = mgh. Once the ball is released, the ball's velocity starts to speed up under the force of gravity, thus increasing kinetic energy. At the same time, the height of the ball is decreasing, and so is potential energy. The relationship between these, in fact, is inverse: as the value of one decreases, that of the other increases in exact proportion. Right before the ball hits the ground, its potential energy will be near zero, and its kinetic energy will be at its highest.

History

The concept of energy and its connection to the amount of work performed goes all the way back to the age of steam engines; physicists and engineers came up with this notion to determine the mechanical and thermal efficiency of their machines. In the 1850's, people like William Thomson and William Rankine began to come up with terms like 'kinetic energy' and 'potential energy' to model the different types of observed forces. After the 1920's, this study of science became to be known as thermodynamics, the science of energy transformations. This led to the laws of thermodynamics, one of which relates to the conservation of energy. William Rankine was the first to discuss the law of the conservation of energy in relation to a more general "energy principle". His discussions and work in this field defined the relationships between energy that we now consider the Energy Principle.

The Energy Principle: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:04, 19 April 2020

Contents

The Main Idea

How will we use the energy principal?

Single Particle vs Multi Particle Systems

Mathematical Models

A Computational Model

Examples

Simple

Difficult

Connectedness

History

See also

Further reading

External links

References

Navigation menu

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Energyprinciple.png|top]] <br>
 '''''The Energy Principle''''' <br>
 The basis of the energy principle can be described with the statement, "energy can neither be created nor destroyed."  Thus, energy may only flow from one system to its surroundings.  The observable universe is comprised of this system and everything else not in the system called the surroundings.  The energy principle is used to describe changes in energy on a system. These energies can take numerous different forms including Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, Chemical Energy, Rest Energy, and Thermal Energy.  Creating boundaries allows for the conservation of these different types energy in that energy is not lost nor is it gained, it is simply transferred into other forms.  Any energy moving over the boundaries therefore can be accounted for having been transferred from a system to its surroundings and vice versa.  This notion is the core idea informing the Energy Principle: The change in energy of the system should be equal to the energy inputs from surroundings. <br>
-==The Main Idea==
-The Energy Principle, also referred to as The First Law of Thermodynamics, defines the transfer of energy between systems. It is defined with the fact that the change of the energy of system is equal to the work surrounding in addition to heat transfers from the surroundings as well. This principle can be modeled by the equations:
+== The Main Idea ==
-'''ΔE(system) = Work (done by surroundings) + Q (heat flow into/out of the system)'''
-'''ΔE(system) + ΔE(surroundings) = 0'''
+The Energy Principle, also referred to as The First Law of Thermodynamics, defines the transfer of energy between systems. It is defined with the fact that the change of the energy of system is equal to the work surrounding in addition to heat transfers from the surroundings as well. This principle can be modeled by the equations:
-[[File:System_and_surroundings.png|middle]]
+'''(1) ΔE = Q+W '''
+<br>'''(2) ΔE<sub>system</sub> + ΔE <sub>surroundings </sub> = 0'''
-There are many ways to use the energy principle; most of the problems you will encounter will have no work acting on the system and no transfer of heat, thus E<sub>sys,initial</sub> = E<sub>sys,final</sub>. Otherwise you will use E<sub>sys,initial</sub> + Wsurr+Q = E<sub>sys,final</sub>.
+<br>You can see that these equations (particularly equation 2) describe Conservation of Energy, which is a main idea in physics, particularly in this course!
-The first step in using the Energy Principle is to identify which initial and final energies have values in the equation. You can eliminate the values that are not present in the equation for the specific problem in order to simplify the solution of the problem.  This form of the energy principle is used to update/predict the future energy of a particular system based on the interactions the system has with its surroundings. Additionally there may be multiple potential energies in the scenario that need to be included when solving the equation including Spring Potential Energy, Gravitational Potential Energy, Electric Potential Energy, and Gravitational Potential Energy near the surface of the Earth.  These different types of energy are incorporated with each system according to its unique properties. Generally, if an initial or final state has zero velocity, the kinetic energy will be zero for that state (initial/final). It's also key to note that a system's intial/final potential energy is considered zero when the surroundings are located at very large distances.
+== How will we use the energy principal? ==
-The basic equation involving only kinetic and potential energy will often look like the following equation when modeling a single particle system and its surroundings:
+In this course, we can apply the Energy Principal to many different scenarios. We can track how energy takes on different forms during an event. Whether its potential energy being turned into kinetic energy when a woman goes bungee jumping, or electrical energy turning into heat as you use your laptop, the transformation of energy can tell us a lot about a given scenario.
-KE<sub>final</sub> + U(potential energy)<sub>final</sub> = Work(surroundings) + Q(heat) + KE<sub>intial</sub> + U(potential energy)<sub>initial</sub>
+A basic outline for how to solve a problem using the energy principal:
-For a multi-particle system:
+(1)	Determine the different types of energy associated with the problem <br>
-E<sub>system</sub>=(K1+K2+K3+…)+(U1,2+U1,3+U2,3+…)
+(2)	Determine if there are values for Q and W (heat and work) associated with the problem <br>
+(3)	Determine the equations for each type of energy identified <br>
+(4)	Plug these into the energy equation and solve for the unknowns <br>
+Don’t worry if you’re not sure how these steps are worked out yet – you will soon!
-The equations involving more energies can be seen in the Mathematical Models section.
+== Single Particle vs Multi Particle Systems ==
-[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30o4omX5qfo Click here for a demonstration of the Energy Principle]
+'''As with many concepts in physics, calculating the energy for the multi particle system is exactly the same as calculating the energy for a single particle system – except for the fact that you will need to account for multiple particles.'''
+For example, If a system of one particle has a kinetic energy of 100J, then the total kinetic energy for that system is 100J. If another system consists of three particles, each with a kinetic energy of 20J, then the total kinetic energy of this system is 60J.
-[[File:kepe.jpg]]
+The same idea applies for gravitational potential energy, electric potential energy, etc.
-[[File:Thermal.jpg]]
-==Mathematical Models==
-<b> NOTE: These are a lot of equations, but don't get overwhelmed. You simply have to pick and choose which ones are necessary for the problem given; examples are shown below. For in-depth explanations on each type of energy, look at the associated pages on the Main Page or click on the links in the 'See also' section below. </b>
+Here is that same concept in another form:
-<b> The Energy Principle </b><br>
+'''KE<sub>final</sub> + U<sub>final</sub> = Work<sub>surr</sub> + Q + KE<sub>intial</sub> + U<sub>initial</sub>'''
-EQ 1: <math>{∆E} = {Q + W}</math> where <math>{Q}</math> is heat and <math>{W}</math> is the amount of work acting on the system.
+For a multi-particle system:
+'''E<sub>system</sub>=(K<sub>1</sub>+K<sub>2</sub>+K<sub>3</sub>+…)+(U<sub>1,2</sub>+U<sub>1,3</sub>+U<sub>2,3</sub>+…)'''
-EQ 2: <math>{∆E} = {∆K + ∆E_{Rest} + ∆U + ∆E_{Thermal}}</math> - the different types of energy that can be associated with a given particle in a system. Not all have to be present.  These terms will vary based on the internal properties of the system being observed.
-EQ 3: <math> E_{Rest}=mc^2 </math> - Rest Energy, where <b>m</b> is the mass and <b>c</b> is the speed of light.  This type of energy describes the inherent energy contained within an object arising from chemical makeup.  Rest energy will only ever change if the system being observed is at an atomic level where particles tends to change identities spontaneously during interactions with surroundings.
+[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30o4omX5qfo Click here for a demonstration of the Energy Principle]
-EQ 4: <math>K=\frac{1}{2}mv²</math> - Kinetic Energy, where <b>m</b> is the mass and <b>v</b> is the velocity (for speeds less than the speed of light).
+==Mathematical Models==
-EQ 5: <math>∆E_{Thermal} = mC∆T </math> - Thermal energy, were <b>m</b> is the mass, <b>C</b> is the specific heat of water (4.2 J/g/K), and <b>T</b> is temperature.  This energy describes the change in average energy of all the particles that comprise a system.
+'''These are the main equations you will be using to solve problems using the Energy Principal. We will add more equations later when describing the differing types of energy (kinetic, potential gravitational, energy of a single particle approaching the speed of light, etc) but for now, just focus on these.
+'''
+<b> The Energy Principle </b><br>
+EQ 1: <math>{∆E} = {Q + W}</math> where <math>{Q}</math> is heat and <math>{W}</math> is the amount of work acting on the system.
-<i>Potential Energy Equations:</i>
-EQ 6: [[File:Ugrav.jpg|middle]]. - for use when not near the Earth's surface.  Where m1 = mass of object 1, m2 = mass of object 2, and r = the linear distance separating the two.
+EQ 2: <math>{∆E} = {∆K + ∆E_{Rest} + ∆U + ∆E_{Thermal}}</math> - the different types of energy that can be associated with a given particle in a system. Not all have to be present.  These terms will vary based on the internal properties of the system being observed.
-EQ 7: [[File:Ugrav,earth.jpg|middle]]. -because the object is near Earth's surface acceleration will be 9.8m/s^2.  Where m is the mass of the system.
-EQ 8: [[File:Uelec.jpg|middle]]. - for use for electric potential energy. Where q1 = the charge of particle 1, q2 = the charge of particle 2, and r = the distance separating the two interacting fields.
-EQ 9: [[File:Uspring.jpg|middle]]. - for use in spring potential energy.  Where k<sub>s</sub> is the spring stiffness constant, s is the distance the spring is stretched from equilibrium.
 ====A Computational Model====
-This is a good visualization of kinetic, potential, and total energy.
+These gifs demonstrate the energy principal from a '''Conservation of Energy''' standpoint. As the ball on a spring approaches the equilibrium point, the '''kinetic energy increases''' and the '''spring potential decreases'''. These values will '''oscillate''', but the '''total energy will stay constant'''! This demonstration was written in GlowScript and '''iteratively updates the ball's momentum''' while taking into account the spring force.
-[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tNQKn0EfBo Energy Skate Park]
-==Energy of a single particle==
-Types of point particles:
-*1. Electrons
-*2. Protons
-*3. Neutrons
-Masses of point particles:
-*1. Electron mass = 9.109 e -31 kg
-*2. Proton mass = 1.6726 e -27 kg
-*3. Neutron mass = 1.6750 e -27 kg
-<math> E_{rest}=mc^2 </math>
-*Note that rest energy is not dependent on particle speed
-The energy of a particle with mass m:
-<math> E_{particle}=γmc^2 </math>
-The kinetic energy K of a particle:
+[[File:Spring1.gif|300px]]
+[[File:Graphspring.gif]]
-<math> K=γmc^2-mc^2 </math>
-*Note that kinetic energy in this form has to be used when the particle is moving near the speed of light
-*If v<<c, then <math>K=\frac{1}{2}mv²</math>
-Change in rest energy can be useful when finding the energy change of a decay and of fission
-*Uranium nucleus that undergoes fission splits into a bunch of neutrons and a few daughter nuclides.If you trap them all and weigh them the total mass is slightly less than the Uranium nucleus you started with. The missing mass has been converted to energy
-[[File:nuclear_fission.jpg | 500px]]
-Example:
-   A proton moves at 0.950c. Calculate its (a) rest energy, (b) total energy, and (c) kinetic energy.
-*(a)   <math> E_{rest}=mc^2 </math> = (1.67e-27 kg)(3e8 m/s)^2 = 1.5e-10 J
-*(b)   <math> E_{particle}=γmc^2 </math> = (1.5e-10 J)/((1-(0.950c/c)^2)^(1/2)) = 4.81e-10 J
-*(c)   <math> K=γmc^2-mc^2 </math> = 4.81e-10 J - 1.50e-10 J = 3.31e-10 J
 ==Examples==
@@ Line 114: / Line 76: @@
 ===Simple===
-A ball weighing 12.6 kg falls off of a cliff that is 98.2 m high. What is the final velocity of the ball when it reaches the ground?
+Car Crash:
-'''Solution:'''
-In this scenario, the work done from the surroundings is equal to zero and the transfer of heat is zero as well. Therefore, ΔEsys= 0.
-As shown in the solution below the initial kinetic energy is equal to zero because there is no initial velocity and the final potential energy is equal to zero because the final height is zero relative to the reference point at the base of the ground. The only potential energy needed for the solution of this problem is gravitational potential energy near the surface of the Earth.
-'''ΔKE + ΔU = 0'''
-Thus,
-'''KE<sub>f</sub> + U<sub>f</sub> = KE<sub>i</sub> + U<sub>i</sub>'''
-As described above,
-'''KE<sub>i</sub>=0 , U<sub>f</sub>=0, Velocity<sub>i</sub>=0 and the unknown: Velocity<sub>f</sub>=?'''
-'''1/2*m*(Velocity<sub>f</sub>)^2 + 0 = 0 + m*g*height<sub>i</sub>'''; The masses algebraically cancel out
-Substituting in the values in the problem,
-'''1/2*(Velocity<sub>f</sub>)^2 = g*height<sub>i</sub>'''
+'''Two cars are in a parking lot. The first car crashes into the second car, which is initially at rest.  The final kinetic energy of the first car is 50J and the final kinetic energy of the second car is 30J. What is the initial kinetic energy of the system?''' <br>
-Finally solving for Velocity<sub>f</sub> will give you,
+'''Step 1: Draw the problem and write out what you know'''<br>
+[[File:Collisionproblem1.png|300px]]
-'''Velocity<sub>f</sub> = 43.87 m/s'''
+'''Step 2: Apply the Energy Principle''' <br>
-[[File:ball.jpg]]
+[[File:Collisionproblem2.jpg|300px]]
+Remember - Kinetic energy is a scalar, not a vector - express your answer as such!
 ===Difficult===
-A 90 kg rock is moving with a speed of 4.7 m/s. A machine tries to slow it down by pushing it in the opposite direction of its movement for 2.7 m at an average force of 215 N. What is the speed of the rock after the machine stops pushing the rock?
+A rollercoaster with passengers has a mass of 2500kg. The rollercoaster is powered to the top of a 25m hill where it pauses for a moment at rest. It then plunges down the hill to ground level where it enters a 15m high vertical loop.
-'''Solution:'''
-There is no transfer of heat so Q is eliminated from The Energy Principle equation. The equation you would use is ΔEsys= W. Additionally, the work is negative in this scenario because the force is in the opposite direction of momentum. There is no potential energy of any sort.  Work = Force(exerted by surroundings/machine) * distance.
-Thus,
-'''ΔE = Work'''
-'''ΔU = 0'''
-'''ΔE = W = ΔKE + ΔU'''
-'''Work = KE<sub>f</sub> - KE<sub>i</sub>'''
-'''Work = Force * distance = (215 N) * (2.7 m) = 580.5 N*m'''
-Velocity<sub>i</sub> = 0, Velocity<sub>f</sub> = ?
-'''1/2*m*(Velocity<sub>f</sub>)^2 = -580.5 + 1/2*m*(Velocity<sub>i</sub>)^2'''
+What is the speed of the rollercoaster at the top of the vertical loop?
-Masses cancel out again
+'''Step One: Draw the problem out, write out the variables you know, and the one you are trying to solve.'''
-'''1/2*(90 kg)*(Velocity<sub>f</sub>)^2 = -580.5 + 1/2*(90kg)(4.7 m/s)^2'''
+[[File: Physics Wiki Part 1.jpg|300px]]
-Therefore after solving for Velocity<sub>f</sub>,
+'''Step 2: Apply the Energy Principle'''
-'''Velocity<sub>f</sub> = 3.0315 m/s'''
+[[File: Physics Wiki Part 2.png|500px]]
 ==Connectedness==
+One of the best ways to illustrate the Energy Principle in the real world is to imagine someone holding the ball over the top of a building. Since the person is holding the ball, the ball is not moving and has 0J of kinetic energy, however, since the ball is at its highest point, it will have its greatest potential energy because of U = mgh. Once the ball is released, the ball's velocity starts to speed up under the force of gravity, thus increasing kinetic energy. At the same time, the height of the ball is decreasing, and so is potential energy. The relationship between these, in fact, is inverse: as the value of one decreases, that of the other increases in exact proportion. Right before the ball hits the ground, its potential energy will be near zero, and its kinetic energy will be at its highest.
-The Energy Principle can be used for a variety of situations; the fact that it can tell us something about the work acting on a system with only knowing about what energies are present (and vice versa) is what makes this such a fundamental principle. The energy principle is also used to describe the conservation of energy because energy doesn't just disappear, it's converted into a different form. The initial and final total energies of a system should be the same because energy is never lost, just converted into a different form.  These sorts of energy balances are used not only in physics, but are integrated into many areas of engineering where the manufacturing of products is supplied by different types of energy such as thermal, electric, gravitational, etc.
-Example: Energy Balances in Chemical Engineering
-[[File: energybal.jpg]]
 ==History==