Course Notes

Notess: Conservation of Energy and Potential Energy (PDF - 3.1MB)

Suggested Textbook Reading (Optional)

Chapter 7.1-7.5, 12.3. Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: with Modern Physics. 12th ed. San Francisco, CA: Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN: 9780805321876.

Video Excerpts

Watch the following excerpts from the Physics I lecture videos:

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» Clip 1: Gravity and Potential Energy (35 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 11 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 2: Equation of Motion for SHO (52 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 13 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

Download the complete lectures from this course:

» iTunes U
» Internet Archive

Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

Slides: Potential Energy (PDF - 1.0MB)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.

Concept Questions

Concept Questions (PDF)^#

Solutions (PDF)^#

Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems (PDF)

Solutions (PDF - 1.1MB)

Problem Solving Help

In the following videos Prof. Walter Lewin explains how to approach the Challenge Problems.

Help Session 1

Help Session 2

Help Session 3

There are countless resources available online to help you learn physics. Try these:

• Try out a couple interactive simulations from PhET:
  • Masses & Springs
  • Energy Skate Park
• Learn about absolute potential energy on Connexions.
• Read about potential energy from HyperPhysics at Georgia State University.