Chapter 7: Work and Energy
In the previous chapters we have outlined a methodology to fully analyse the dynamics of point masses from their kinetics and kinematics. However, in certain situations information about the motion can be obtained via an easier route, using the methods of work and energy. The methods of work and energy are particularly useful if:
- The forces depend on position and not explicitly on time
- One only needs to determine changes in speed
- It is not needed to fully determine the motion \(\overrightarrow{\boldsymbol{r}}(t)\)