Question

A body of mass \(m\) moves in one dimension under the influence of a force, \(F(x)\), which depends only on the body's position. a) Prove that Newton's Second Law and the law of conservation of energy for this body are exactly equivalent. b) Explain, then, why the law of conservation of energy is considered to be of greater significance than Newton's Second Law.

Short answer

#Answer# Newton's Second Law and the law of conservation of energy are equivalent for a body moving under a position-dependent force, as both relate the force, F(x), to the particle's motion and energy states. However, the law of conservation of energy is considered more significant because it is a more universal law of physics, applicable to a wide range of physical systems, and translates across various fields. In contrast, Newton's Second Law has limitations when describing motion at relativistic speeds or quantum phenomena.

Step-by-step solution

State Newton's Second Law

Newton's Second Law states that the force acting on a body is equal to the mass of the body multiplied by its acceleration, or $$ F(x) = m \frac{d^2x}{dt^2} $$

State the equation for Work-Energy Theorem (Conservation of Mechanical Energy)

The work-energy theorem states that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy. Mathematically, it can be expressed as $$ W = \Delta K $$. The work done by the force, \(F(x)\), is given by $$ W = \int F(x)dx $$ The kinetic energy (\(K\)) of an object of mass \(m\) and velocity \(v\) is given by $$ K = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 $$ The change in kinetic energy is given by \(\Delta K = K_f - K_i\), where \(K_f\) represents the final kinetic energy and \(K_i\) represents the initial kinetic energy.

Relate Force and Kinetic Energy using Work-Energy Theorem

Using Work-Energy Theorem, we can equate the work done by the force, \(F(x)\) to the change in kinetic energy (assuming conservative force): $$ \int F(x)dx = K_f - K_i $$. From Newton's Second Law, we can also relate acceleration to force: $$ a = \frac{F(x)}{m} $$

Integrate the Acceleration to get Velocity

Integrate the acceleration with respect to time to get the velocity: $$ \int a dt = \int \frac{F(x)}{m} dt = v $$ Now differentiate the velocity with respect to time to get the acceleration back again: $$ a = \frac{d^2x}{dt^2} = \frac{F(x)}{m} $$

Show Equivalence between Newton's Second Law and Conservation of Energy

We just derived the following equations: $$ \int F(x)dx = K_f - K_i $$ and $$ a = \frac{F(x)}{m} $$ using the Work-Energy Theorem and Newton's Second Law. These two equations are equivalent since they both relate the force \(F(x)\) to the particle's motion and energy states. Thus, we have proved that Newton's Second Law and the law of conservation of energy are exactly equivalent for a body moving under a position dependent force. Now, let's proceed to part (b).

Explain the Greater Significance of the Law of Conservation of Energy

The law of conservation of energy is generally considered more significant than Newton's Second Law because it is a more universal law of physics. It applies to a vast range of physical systems, regardless of their specific nature, and is based on the fundamental principle that the total energy in an isolated system remains constant over time. Moreover, it translates across various fields, such as thermodynamics and quantum mechanics. On the other hand, while Newton's Second Law is very helpful for analyzing classical mechanics problems involving forces and acceleration, it has its limitations. It does not adequately describe motion at relativistic speeds or phenomena at the quantum scale. In summary, while both Newton's Second Law and the law of conservation of energy are equivalent in the context of a body moving under a position dependent force, the latter is considered more significant due to its broader applicability and general importance in various branches of physics.