The theorem of live
forces establishes that the work carried out by the forces
acting on a system, is equal to its kinetic energy.
The force which acts
on the train in the visual is invested into increasing its velocity.
Carry out the following activities:
1. Calculate, in your noteboook, the
kinetic energy of the railway car when it begins to move with an
initial velocity of 0.25 m/s and after 1 s. Verify this in the visual,
correctly setting the initial parameters and clicking on "Table".
2. Start the visual again with the default parameters and closely
observe the rectangular bars. From left to right they represent
respectively: work carried out by the resultant force, initial kinetic
energy and kinetic energy during the movement.
3. Repeat the visual changing the parameters initial velocity = 0.25
m/s
and resultant force = 9000N (you can vary the driving force by clicking
and dragging). Again observe the rectangular bars, can you see any
relationship among them?