Objectives - phys161

chapter 10

Vocabulary

Gravitational Potential Energy, Total Kinetic Energy, Mechanical Energy, Total Energy, Translational Kinetic Energy, Elastic Potential Energy, Equilibrium Length, Equilibrium Position, Hooke's Law, Oscillation, Restoring Force, Spring Constant (or Elastic Constant), (Perfectly) Elastic Collision, Equilibrium Position, Neutral Equilibrium, Stable Equilibrium, Unstable Equilibrium.

Objectives. At this point in the course, the student should

1. Know the SI units in which all of the quantities listed in the vocabulary section above are measured.
2. Understand the concepts behind and the definitions of kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy. Further, the student should be able to use the conservation of mechanical energy to answer arbitrary questions pertaining to systems in which these are the only types of energy present.
3. Understand that there is arbitrariness in defining the zero point of any type of energy. Consequently, realize that only differences in energies have any physical meaning.
4. Understand the concepts behind the definition of elastic potential energy, and be able to use conservation of mechanical energy to answer arbitrary questions pertaining to systems in which elastic potential energy is present.
5. Understand what is meant by a "Hookian restoring force" or "linear restoring force". Be able to provide examples of systems in which you would find such a force.
6. Realize that kinetic energy is typically not conserved in collisions. The student should also realize that perfectly elastic collisions are the special cases in which kinetic energy is conserved.
7. Be able to apply conservation of momentum and conservation of kinetic energy in order to analyze arbitrary elastic collisions.