WORK, POWER AND ENERGY

1. ENERGY
1.1. Definition of energy
Energy is the ability of a body or an object to do work.
Energy is a scalar quantity and therefore it does not have a direction.
The measuring unit of energy is called Joule. The symbol of Joule is J.

1.2. Kinetic Energy

Energy of an object due to its motion.

1.3. Gravitational Potential Energy

Energy of an object due to its position above the earth surface.

1.4. Mechanical Energy

The sum of kinetic and gravitational potential energy of an object.

1.5. Conservation of Mechanical Energy

The principle of conservation of mechanical energy states that the total
mechanical energy (sum of gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy) in an
isolated system remains constant.
(A system is isolated when the resultant/net external force acting on the system is
zero.)

Conservative and non-conservative forces

A conservative force is a force for which the work done in moving an object
between two points is independent of the path taken.
Examples are gravitational force, the elastic force in a spring and electrostatic forces
(coulomb forces).

A non-conservative force is a force for which the work done in moving an object
between two points depends on the path taken.
Examples are frictional force, air resistance, tension in a cable, applied force etc.

Solve conservation of energy problems using the equation:

Wnc = ΔK + ΔU
Note : Wnc is zero in the absence of non-conservative forces.
0 = ΔK + ΔU
ΔK = - ΔU

Example 1
QUESTION 5 (Feb-March 2013)
The simplified diagram below shows a slide PQ at a playground. The slide is 3 m
long and 1,5 m high. A boy of mass 40 kg and a girl of mass 22 kg stand at the top of
the slide at P.
The girl accelerates uniformly from rest down the slide. She experiences a constant
frictional force of 1,9 N.
The boy falls vertically down from the top of the slide through the height PR of 1,5 m.
Ignore the effects of air friction.

5.1 Write down the principle of conservation of mechanical energy in words. (2)
5.3 Use the principle of CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY to calculate
the speed of the boy when he reaches the ground at R. (4)
5.5 How would the velocity of the girl at Q compare to that of the boy at R if the slide
exerts no frictional force on the girl? Write down only GREATER THAN, LESS
THAN OR EQUAL TO. (1)

Solution
5.1 The total mechanical energy remains constant/is conserved in an isolated/closed
system.
OR The sum of the potential and kinetic energy remains constant in an
isolated/closed system.

5.3

Note : 5.3 can also be solved by using Wnc = ΔK + ΔU as follows;

5.5 Equal to
Example 2
Question 5 (Nov 2014)

5.1 The diagram below shows a track, ABC. The curved section, AB, is frictionless.
The rough horizontal section, BC, is 8 m long.
An object of mass 10 kg is released from point A which is 4 m above the ground. It
slides down the track and comes to rest at point C.

5.1.1 State the principle of conservation of mechanical energy in words (2)

5.1.2 Is mechanical energy conserved as the object slides from A to C? Write only
YES or NO. (1)
5.1.3 Using ENERGY PRINCIPLES only, calculate the magnitude of the frictional
force exerted on the object as it moves along BC. (6)

Solution
5.1.1 In an isolated/closed system, the total mechanical energy is conserved.
OR
The total mechanical energy of a system is conserved in the absence of friction.
OR
The total mechanical energy of a system remains constant provided the net work
done by external non conservative forces is zero

5.1.2 No
5.1.3
WORK
2.1.Definition
Work is the product of the force parallel to the movement of an object and the
displacement of the object.
Work can be defined Mathematically as: W = F Δxcosθ.
 W is the magnitude of work.
 F is the magnitude of the force doing the work.
 Δx is the magnitude of the displacement.
 θ is the angle between the force doing the work and the displacement of the
object.
Work is a scalar quantity and therefore does not have a direction.
The measuring unit of work is Joule. The symbol of Joule is J.
Net Work is the sum of all work done on an object.
Net Work is done by a Net Force.
2.2. Positive and negative work
Positive work is the work done on an object to move it in the direction of the force
(or component of the force). Positive work increases the kinetic energy of an object.
Negative work is the work done on an object by a force acting in the opposite to the
direction of motion. Negative work decreases the kinetic energy of an object.
Example
A box is pulled to the right on a rough surface

Applied force
BOX
Friction

 Work done by the force applied by the man on the box is positive.
Example 3
 Work done by the frictional force on the box is negative.
A 5kg box is pulled to the right by a 50N force on a rough surface for 5m. The box
experiences a constant frictional force of 10N during its motion.

50N
5kg
5kg
10N

Solution
Example 4
A 10N box is pulled by a 60N force applied at an angle of 30o to the horizontal, as
shown below. The box experiences a constant frictional force of 12N during its
motion. The box moves 5m.

60N

10kg 30o
12N

4.1. Calculate work done by applied force.

4.2. Calculate work done by friction.
4.3. Calculate the net work done on the box
Solutions
Note : The vertical component of the applied force does no work on the object (acts
perpendicular to the direction of motion, therefore Cos 90o=0).
4.1. Calculating work done by applied force

4.2. Calculating work done by frictional force

4.3 Calculating the net work done on the box

3. Work-Energy Theorem
The net work done on an object is equal to the change in the object’s kinetic energy
OR
Work done on an object by a net force is equal to the change in the object’s kinetic
energy.
 Work-energy theorem formula: Wnet = ΔK
Wnet= Kf – Ki
 This is just saying that the total work is the difference between the initial and
the final kinetic energy state.

EXAMPLE 5
QUESTION 6 [DoE SUPPLEMENTARY 2010] INCLINE PLANE- DOWN A SLOPE

A box of mass 60 kg starts from rest at height h and slides down a rough slope of
length 10 m, which makes an angle of 25° with the horizontal. It undergoes a
constant acceleration of magnitude 2 m⋅s-2 while sliding down the slope.

6.1 State the work-energy theorem in words. (2)

6.2 Draw a free-body diagram to show ALL the forces acting on the cardboard
box while it slides down the slope. (3)
6.3 The box reaches the bottom of the slope.
Calculate the following:
6.3.1 The kinetic energy of the box, using the equations of motion (5)
6.3.2 The work done on the box by the gravitational force (4)
6.3.3 The work done on the box by the frictional force, using the WORK-
ENERGY THEOREM. (4)
6.3.4 The magnitude of the frictional force acting on the box (3)

SOLUTION
QUESTION 6
6.1 The net work done on an object is equal to the change in the object's kinetic
energy.
OR
The work done on an object by a net force is equal to the change in the object's
kinetic energy. (2)
6.2
N/FN/Force of surface on object 

● f/Ff/Force of friction 

Fg/w/Force of earth on object 

N/FN/Force of surface on object 

● f/Ff/Force of friction 

F / w / Component of gravitational force perpendicular to incline


6.3.1 2Fg// / w
= v + 2ax // / Component of gravitational force parallel to incline
i
= (0)2 + (2)(2)(10) 
= 40 m2·s-2

Ekf = ½m 
= ½(60)(40) 
= 1 200 J 

OR/OF
x  v i t  21 at 2
10 = (0)t ½(2) t2
t = 3,16 s

vf = vi + aΔt = 0 + (2)(3,16)  = 6,32 m·s-1

Ekf = ½m 
= ½(60)(6,32)2 
= 1 200 J 
6.3.2 Wg = Wg// xcosθ 
= mgsin 25° (10)(cos 0°)
= (60)(9,8)sin25°10(1)
= 2 485 J 

OR/OF
Wg = Wg// xcosθ 
 = mghcos 0°
= (60)(9,8)  (10)sin25°(1) 
= 2 485 J 

OR/OF
Wg = -U 
= - (0 – mgh) 
= - (0 – (60)(9,8)(10)sin25° 
= 2 485 J 

6.3.3
OPTION 1
OPTION 2
= E
Wnet W net =
kWg + W f 
max
Wg(parallel =W
to slope WE
+ gW+f = f k 

2 485(60)(2)(10) =
+ Wf = 1 200 2 485  + Wf
Wf = - 1W285
f = -J
1285 J 

OPTION 5/OPSIE 5:
Wnc = Ek + Ep 

= (½m - 0) + (0 – mgh)

= ½m - mgh 

= 1 200 - 2 485 
Wnc = Wf = -1 285 J 

4. POWER

4.1 Definition
Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is expended (used up).
Power is a scalar quantity.
The unit of Power is the watt.
The symbol of watt is W.

The formula is used to calculate power, where P is power, W is work and Δt is

the change in time.

Average power can be calculated by applying the formula Pav = Fvav, where Pav is the
average power, F is the force or net force and vav is the average velocity or average
speed.

Example

An elevator must lift 1000 kg a distance of 100 m at a velocity of 4 m.s-1. What is the
average power the elevator exerts during this trip?

Solution

ACTIVITIES

SECTION A (Multiple-Choice Questions)

Four options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each
question has only ONE correct answer. Write only the letter (A–D) next to the
question number (1.1 – 1.2).

1. An object moves in a straight line on a ROUGH horizontal surface. If the net work
done on the object is zero, then

A the object has zero kinetic energy.

B the object moves at constant speed.
C the object moves at constant acceleration.
D there is no frictional force acting on the object.

2. An object is pulled along a straight horizontal road to the right without being lifted.
The force diagram below shows all the forces acting on the object.

Which ONE of the above forces does POSITIVE WORK on the object?
A W
B N
C f
D component F

3. The kinetic energy of a car moving at a constant velocity v is K. The velocity of the
car changes to 2v. What is the new kinetic energy of the car?
A 0,25 K
B 0,5 K
C 2K
D 4K

4. Power is defined as the rate…..

A of change in velocity.
B at which work is done.
C of change of momentum.
D of change of displacement.

5. Which ONE of the following physical quantities is equal to the product of force and
average velocity?
A Work
B Average power
C Energy
D Average acceleration
6 An object moves in a straight line on a ROUGH horizontal surface. If the net work
done on the object is zero, then …
A. the object has zero kinetic energy.
B. the object moves at constant speed.
C. the object moves at constant acceleration.
D. there is no frictional force acting on the object.

7. The speed of a bicycle increases from 2 m∙s-1 to 8 m∙s-1. Its kinetic energy
increases by a factor of …
A. 4
B. 6
C. 8
D. 16

8 Which ONE of the following physical quantities is equal to the product of force and
constant velocity?
A. Work
B. Power
C. Energy
D. Acceleration

9 The free –body diagram below shows the relative magnitudes and direction of all
the forces acting on an object moving horizontally in an easterly direction.

The kinetic energy of the object ...

A is zero
B increases
C decreases
D remains constant

10. Two balls, P and Q, are dropped simultaneously from the same height. Ball P
has TWICE the mass of ball Q. Ignore the effects of air friction.
Just before the balls hit the ground, the kinetic energy of ball P is x. The kinetic
energy of ball Q, in terms of x, will be …

11. Power is defined as the rate …

A of change of velocity.
B at which work is done.
C of change of momentum.
D of change of displacement.
SECTION B
Question 1 (IEB)

An Olympic skier, of mass 75 kg, starts with a combined push of 200 N on his sticks
at the top of a ski-ramp. The sticks are at an angle of 600 to the horizontal. He travels
2 m horizontally in 1,5 s before he enters the ramp.
1.1) Calculate the work done by the skier over the 2 m. (4)
1.2) Calculate the power generated by the skier in 1,5 s. (3)
The diagram below shows a cross section of the ski-ramp.

He enters the frictionless slopes AB with a speed of 2 m.s-1 at A. BC is also

frictionless.
1.3) Draw a labelled free body diagram, showing all forces acting on the skier at
point A. (3)
1.4) State in words the law of conservation of mechanical energy. (2)
Calculate
1.5 the total mechanical energy of the skier at A. (4)
1.6 the kinetic energy of the skier at B. (4)
1.7 the speed of the skier at C. (4)

Top speeds reach by skiers at the Olympics are in the region of 130km/h. Ski
helmets are designed with a hard exterior material but a soft foam interior as seen
below.

1.8) Use physics principles, and an equation, to explain why a soft foam is used on
the inside. (3)

Question 2 (IEB)

Roller Coaster

The diagram above shows part of a roller coaster track. The carriages are pulled
from A to B at a constant speed by an electric motor of power output 52 kW. At B
(72 m higher than A) they have effectively no kinetic energy and they run freely down
to C (6,5 m higher than A). The total mass of the carriages is 3 400 kg. Ignore all
frictional forces.

2.1 Define power. (2)

2.2 Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the carriages on
reaching the point B. (4)
2.3 Calculate the time taken for the carriages to rise from A to B. (4)
2.4 Calculate the speed of the carriages at C. (5)

Question 3 ((IEB EDITED)

A small block of mass 0,4 kg is released from rest at position A on a track as shown
in the diagram. Position A is 0,8 m vertically above the ground. It takes the block 3 s
to slide from position A to position E where it comes to rest. The length of the track
from A to E is 8,1 m. Position D is 0,3 m vertically above the ground.
There is no friction between positions A and D on the track but there is significant
friction between positions D and E. Air resistance can be ignored. Positions A, B, C,
D and E all lie in the same vertical plane.

3.1) Define the terms distance and displacement and hence explain why the
magnitude of the displacement of the block from A to E differs from the distance
travelled by the block from A to E. (4)

3.2) Calculate the average speed of the block between A and E. (2)
3.3) State the principle of conservation of mechanical energy. (2)
3.4) Use the principle of conservation of mechanical energy to calculate the speed
of the block as it reaches point D on the track. (4)
3.5) State the work-energy theorem. (2)
3.6) Calculate the magnitude of the frictional force acting on the block between
position D and E. The distance between D and E is 3 m. (4)

QUESTION 4 (EDITED IEB)

A railway goods truck of mass 3 000 kg is rolling along a frictionless horizontal track
at 2 m.s-1. It rolls up a slope, slowing down to a stop. In the process, 54 000 J of work
is done against gravity.
Stationary
-1
2 m.s
h

4.1 State the work-energy theorem. (2)

4.2 Draw labelled free body diagrams of all the forces acting on the truck as it moves
on the horizontal track as well as when it moves up the incline. (5)

4.3 What is meant by the term, non-conservative force? (2)

4.4 Identify the non-conservative force acting on the truck as it moves up the incline.
(1)
4.5 Use the work-energy theorem to find at what height h above the horizontal track
it will come to a stop. (5)

A learner observing a truck as it moves up the incline assumes that it is an

ISOLATED SYSTEM.
4.6 Is the learners’ assumption correct? YES or NO. (1)
4.7 Explain your answer in 4.6. (1)

Question 6

A block of mass 10 kg is sliding along a uniform rough surface. The surface is

horizontal from A to B and inclined at 35o to the horizontal from B to C.

The block is travelling at a speed of 12 m⋅s–1 as it passes A.

6.1) Define the term kinetic energy. (2)
6.2) Calculate the kinetic energy of the block as it passes A. (3)

The frictional force acting on the block as it slides from A to B is 54,9 N.

6.3) State the work-energy theorem. (2)
6.4) Calculate the speed of the block (v) as it reaches B. (4)
The block slides up the incline from B and comes to rest at C. The frictional force
acting on the block as it slides from B to C is 45,0 N.
6.5) Write an expression for the potential energy of the block at C in terms of x (the
distance along the slope from B to C). (2)
6.6) Calculate the distance, x, that the block slides up the slope before coming to
rest at C. (5)
6.7) The frictional force experienced by the block on the inclined plane is less than
the frictional force experienced on the horizontal surface even though the
surfaces are made of the same material. Explain by making use of a relevant
equation. (3)
At point C, the object only just manages to remain at rest.
6.8) Draw a labelled free-body diagram of the block at rest at C. (3)
6.9) Calculate the frictional force acting on the block at C. (3)
6.10) Hence calculate the coefficient of friction. (3)
6.11) Explain why the frictional force calculated in Question 6.9 is greater than the
frictional force of 45,0 N acting while the block was sliding. (2)

QUESTION 4 (WESTERN CAPE SEPTEMBER 2014)

QUESTION 4 (WESTERN CAPE SEPTEMBER 2014)

.
QUESTION 5 (NOVEMBER 2011)
QUESTION 5 (NOVEMBER 2010)
QUESTION 5 (FEB/MAR 2016)