Forces, Energy, and System Analysis

The Forces, Energy, and System Analysis Video Tutorial explains the importance of a system analysis in keeping track of energy for any given motion scenario. The distinction between conservative and non-conservative forces and the relationship of each to the total amount of mechanical energy is discussed. Numerous examples, illustrations, and analogies assist in the explanations.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

1. What is meant by a system and how can it be used to conduct an energy analysis?
2. What is a conservative force and how is it related to the amount of mechanical energy?
3. What effect do non-conservative forces have on the energy of a system?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Minds On Physics, Work and Energy Section: Mission WE5
"MOPs" is a tough task-master. But when you finish a mission, you know you understand the material. Take the challenge. Do a Minds On Physics mission.

Concept Builder, Work and Energy Section: Work
In this Concept Builder, you will learn to identify whether positive, negative, or zero work is being done, to identify the force that is doing the work, and to describe the energy transformation associated with such work. This is a great follow-up to the video.

Concept Builder, Work and Energy Section: Stepping Up with PE and KE
Review the three forms of mechanical energy with this interactive exerise.

Physics Tutorial - Work, Energy, and Power Chapter, Internal vs. External Forces
When you need to brush up on any topic, we recommend a trip to the Physics Classroom Tutorial. Its easy-to-understand language combined with informative graphics and appeals to your sense of reason make this a powerful learning tool. This page is the written equivalent of the video.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner, Work, Energy, and Power Section: Energy
Get students active and thinking with one of our free Think Sheets from the Curriclum Corner section of our website. The following one makes a good fit to this video:
Work-Energy Relationships

Teacher Toolkits, Work-Energy Relationships
Try a Teacher Toolkit ... you might be very glad that you did. Each toolkit includes annotated links to vetted resources from across the web that we feel reliably support the specific topic. Give this one on work and energy a try.

Minds On Physics, Work and Energy Module - Mission WE5
Minds On Physics is both hated and loved by students. Like good medicine, it doesn't always taste good when you're taking it but the results are just what the doctor ordered. This mission provides a nice fit with the video.

Concept Builder, Work and Energy Section: Work
In this Concept Builder, students will learn to identify whether positive, negative, or zero work is being done, to identify the force that is doing the work, and to describe the energy transformation associated with such work. It's this third activity that is most closely associated with this video.

Concept Builder, Work and Energy Section: Name That Energy
Students gain some familiarity with the three forms of mechanical energy with this interactive exerise.

Physics Tutorial - Work, Energy, and Power Chapter - Internal vs. External Forces
Our Tutorial section is the textbook on the site. Its also the most trafficked section of the site. And for good reason. It proves time and again that anyone can understand Physics. This page is the written equivalent (roughly) of the video tutorial. Point troubled students to this page. Point all your students to this page.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.