Question

As an object moves from point A to point B only two forces act onit: one force is nonconservative and does -30 J of work, the otherforce is conservative and does +50 J of work. Between A andB,
a. the kineticenergy of object increases, mechanical energydecreases.
b. the kineticenergy of object decreases, mechanical energydecreases.
c. the kineticenergy of object decreases, mechanical energyincreases.
d. the kineticenergy of object increases, mechanical energyincreases.
e. None of theabove.

Answer 1

To solve this problem we will apply the principles of energy conservation. On the one hand we have that the work done by the non-conservative force is equivalent to -30J while the work done by the conservative force is 50J.

This leads to the direct conclusion that the resulting energy is 20J.

The conservative force is linked to the movement caused by the sum of the two energies, therefore there is an increase in kinetic energy. The decrease in the mechanical energy of the system is directly due to the loss given by the non-conservative force, therefore there is a decrease in mechanical energy.

Therefore the correct answer is A. Kintetic energy increases and mechanical energy decreases.