Similar Posts

Subscribe
Notify of
3 Answers
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ProfFrink
11 months ago

If one wanted to calculate the energy consumption, if one simply pushes a lawn mower, then it would apply:

Energy = Force ∙ way or E = F ∙ s

But not when you spit a feather. Then the spring force increases with each centimeter clamping path. We therefore have no constant force over the whole path, but a linear increase. Consequently, this time the energy is also to be calculated from the area under the force curve over the path. But the area content now has the shape of a triangle. Thus we only have half the area content of the corresponding rectangle. See picture:

DrEnrico
11 months ago

The derivation of the 1/2 in the formula for the clamping energy is based on the basics of work and energy, in particular on the integration of the force over the path to calculate the done work.

atoemlein
11 months ago

The factor 1/2 is in almost all energy formulas.
In simple terms, the energy is the area under a curve (integral):
If one assumes a linear increase (e.g. force or path), the hold gives the triangle which is exactly half of the rectangle:

Work = Energy = Force times Way
E = F * s, geometrically the whole Rectanglebut only if the force Constant was!

When you press a spring, the force increases linearly with the path.
That’s why it’s just the triangle.
Actually, the sum of all infinitely small partial right corners from respective force times the respective path gain F*ds.