Work and energy
A hand is moving a book vertically. The initial velocity of the book is zero, as is the final velocity. Assume no air resistance. During the motion,
- the total energy is conserved.
- the work done by the gravity is equal and opposite to the work done by hand.
- the force of gravity is equal and opposite to the force by hand.
- all of the above.
Stopping a compass needle
A compass needle, as one of the homework problems shows, is a simple harmonic oscillator. Clearly, an ever oscillating compass needle would be useless, and so a frictional damping becomes very handy. In order to make the compass needle indicate the magnetic north as quickly as possible, the friction must be
- as little as possible. B. not too much, not too little -- just right. C. as much as possible.