Equations · equation
Work–Energy Theorem
Mechanics · 1829
- Equation
- W_net = ΔK = ½mv² − ½mv₀²
- Field
- Mechanics
- Symbols
- W_net the net work done on a body by all forces · ΔK its change in kinetic energy
- Year
- 1829
Significance
Net work in equals kinetic energy out — the bookkeeping that ties force to motion without solving for the motion in between. It falls out of F = ma and the chain rule in three lines and is the fastest way to find a speed at the bottom of a hill, a projectile's launch speed, or a bullet's energy from the depth of a hole.
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