Handout: Work energy and power

Work energy and power:

Work done: A force is applied on an object and the F

d
object moved a displacement, then work is done.
Or if some energy converts from one type to
another type then work is done. Work done can be
calculated by multiplying the force and the
In the diagram the force and the

r
displacement along the force. Work done is the

Si
displacement are in the same
amount of energy that converted from one type to direction. Thus work done is:
in
another type. It is a scalar quantity. And its unit is 𝑊 =𝐹 ×𝑑
‘joule’.
oy
Work is done when there is an opposing force.
Work done by force of gravity: to lift an
M

object work is done by force of gravity,

as force of gravity opposes the lift. An
object is lifted a height of ‘h’ meter then h
h
work done is: m m
Work done by the force of gravity: then the upward
force is F = mg and the displacement is ‘h’ . F = mg F = mg
Path of the of the box’s
𝑊 = 𝐹 ×𝑑
motion
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔 × ℎ

𝑾 = 𝒎𝒈𝒉 Path of the box Path of the box

Work done does not depend on the path,
the object moved. Work done depends
h h
on the vertical height.

In each diagram the work done is W = mgh Path of the box

(Work done depends on vertical height) Path of the box

h h

Work is done when one type of energy changes into another type of energy.

5000J of 5000J of heat Work done is

chemical Energy and light energy 5000J
Converted to

Moyin Sir/ edbase/ O and A level Physics

Energy: Energy is the capacity of doing work. It is a scalar quantity. Its unit is ‘joule’.
Types of energies: 1. Potential energy or Energy store.

Potential Energy: Energy Store There are four energy transfer:

1. Gravitational Potential energy 6. Kinetic Energy 1. Mechanically.
2. Chemical Potential Energy 7. Magnetic Energy 2. Electrically
3. Elastic Potential Energy 8. Thermal Energy.
4. Electrostatic Energy 3. By heating.
5. Nuclear Potential Energy 4. By radiation (Light and Sound)

r
Si
Gravitational Potential Energy: GPE = m g h = Work done

Gravitational Potential Energy = Work done by force of gravity.

in
1
GPE = KE 𝑚𝑣 2
oy
𝑚𝑔ℎ = 2 Mass in ‘kg’.
GPE =mgh
Height in ‘meter’
𝑣 = ඥ2𝑔ℎ ( Impact velocity)
M

2ℎ 1
𝑡= ට (Time need to fall) 𝐾𝐸 = 2m𝑣 2
𝑔

KE/J GPE/J
The graph of KE-height and GPE-height: 500 500

When an object is thrown vertically upward

then its initial KE is maximum and GPE=0. And
when it reaches at the top its GPE is maximum
Height/h 5 Height/h 5
and KE =0.

KE at the bottom = GPE at the top.

v
1
Kinetic Energy (KE): 𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2
m
Kinetic energy = Energy gained by an object due to its motion (v).

When throwing vertically upward: KE at the bottom = GPE at the top.

1
GPE = KE 𝑚𝑔ℎ = 2
𝑚𝑢2
GPE =mgh
𝑢2
ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (Maximum height) u
2𝑔 h
1
𝑢 𝐾𝐸 = 2m𝑢2
𝑡= (Time need to raise the height)
𝑔

Moyin Sir/ edbase/ O and A level Physics

 Swing and Pendulum: When a Swing or pendulum oscillates, they fall a vertical
height as well. The energy GPE converts to KE as it falls. Thus the energy in a Swing
or pendulum depends on the vertical height it gains, not on the path it moves.

When the girl gains height, she gets GPE and

rope
when she swings she falls the vertical height
‘h’, but she moves in an arc. Her GPE converts GPE

r
to KE at the lowest point she has only KE. And
35kg h

Si
again her KE converts into GPE on the other
side. Gradually all her GPE converts to heat and
sound and she stops.
in 0.8m
1.5m
oy
1 Lost in GPE of the girl is = mg ( h2-h1)
Lost in GPE = m g (h2-h1) = Gain in KE = m 𝑣2
2
M

= 35 × 10 × ( 1.5 – 0.8)
Note: Work done by gravity is due to the
vertical height, not for the curve arc the = 245J
girl/mass moves. A
H1 H3
B
When an object gains a height from the ground it gains GPE and H2
C h3
when an object falls a height it gains KE. An object falls from A to
C. At C it has GPE = mgh1 and KE = mgH2 or KE = mg ( h3 – h1 ) . h2
h1
D

Sound Energy: sound is a type of KE due to the

vibration of the particles in the medium. Often sound
is the non-useful energy in machines. When sound is
not useful it is called ‘Noise’. OMG

Loud song can be a Noise too……

Radiation energy. This energy can be used

by photo-cells in solar panel, and in the
photosynthesis in the plant cells.

Sunlight is the main source of radiation

ENERGY in the Earth

Moyin Sir/ edbase/ O and A level Physics

Electrostatic Energy: The energy stored in the electric field is called ‘Electrostatic
energy’. This energy can be calculated by: 𝐸 = 𝑉 𝐼 𝑡 or E = qV

This electrostatic energy converts into KE of the electrons when they flow as
current.

Elastic PE: The energy stored in a solid due to deformation is called ‘elastic potential
energy’. (ex: the energy stored in a stretched or compressed spring)

r
The spring is with length lo is pulled with a force F (mg) downward and the

Si
lo new length is l1. Thus the displacement moved by the force is d = (l1-lo). So
work is done. According to Hooke’s law this applied force gradually increases
as 𝑭 ∝ 𝒅. Thus the applied force was not constant, it increased with extension.
in
l1 Thus work is done by the average force. The average force is :
oy
d 𝑰𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆+𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝑭𝒐 +𝑭 𝑭
Average force = = = as Fo = 0
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
M

F = mg
Thus the work done by the stretched spring is:
𝑭
𝑾 = 𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 × 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 or: 𝑾= ×𝒅
𝟐

The area under the force extension graph (Hooke’s law) is the work done. Thus
when the force is constant then work done is the product of force and the
displacement, and when the force is not constant then work done is the product of
average force and the displacement of the object. The work done by stretching a
spring is also the elastic potential energy stored in the spring.

Equations:

1. Work done by contact friction (Pushing a box): 𝑊 = 𝐹 × 𝑑

2. Work done by gravity when lifting a mass: 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ Which is also GPE
1
3. Work done by a moving car: 𝑊= 𝑚𝑣 2 Which is also KE
2

𝐹
4. Work done by stretching a spring: 𝑊 = ×𝑑 Which is also elastic PE.
2

Moyin Sir/ edbase/ O and A level Physics

Power: The amount of work done in 1 second is called power. Or the amount of energy
change in 1 second is called ‘Power’. Power indicates how fast the energy transfers from
one to another type.

Power is a scaler quantity. Its unit is ‘watt’. One watt 𝑾 𝑬

means, one joules of energy converts in every second. 𝑷= or 𝑷=
𝒕 𝒕
1 watt = 1J/1s. Where W = Work done

r
“A lamp has a power of 100 watt” means the lamp E = Energy change

Si
converts 100J of electrical energy into 100J of heat and
light in 1 second. 𝑾 = 𝑷𝒕 𝑬 = 𝑷𝒕
in
oy
Kilowatt-hour is another unit of energy. 1kwt-hour = 3600000J of energy. Convert the
power into kilowatt and then convert the time into hour and multiply them, that is the
M

energy in ‘kilowatt-hour’.

Efficiency:

Efficiency is the ratio between the useful output energy by the total input energy Efficiency
is the ratio between the useful output power by the total input power.

Useful
6cm = 300J 2cm = 100J output 𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
Input
𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
3cm = 150J
1cm = 50J
Total Input = Useful output + Non Useful Output
Thus: Total input > Useful Output

Non-Useful
outputs

Note: Width of the arrow is Total Input Useful output

directly proportional to the
value of the Energy

Non-Useful output

Moyin Sir/ edbase/ O and A level Physics

Renewable and non-renewable energy:

Renewable energy is energy that is generated from natural processes and are
continuously refilled. This energy cannot be exhausted and is constantly renewed.
Renewable energy sources: Solar Energy, geothermal heat, wind, tides, water, and
various forms of biomass.

Solar energy:

r
The radiation energy from the sun is called ‘Solar energy’. Solar energy is the main source

Si
of energy for both renewable and nonrenewable energy in the earth. We can convert solar
energy directly to electrical energy by solar panels. Solar panels are a combination of photo-
in
voltaic cells, which can convert radiation energy into electrical energy.
oy
Advantages and disadvantages of solar panel:
M

Advantages:

1. Renewable energy. 2. No pollution. 3. Available in almost all parts of the world.

4. Comparatively cheap.

Disadvantages: 1. Not a continuous source. 2. Low output. 3. Needs large area.

Solar heating panel: It is large panel which

contains dull black metal pipe in zig-zag pattern.
The inner walls of the panel is also painted dull
black, as black is a good absorber of radiation
energy. There is a glass lid on the panel to reduce
heat loss by convection process. When water
flows through the zig-zag pipes, the water
becomes warm up.

Moyin Sir/ edbase/ O and A level Physics

Geothermal heat: Generator

The inner layers of the earth’s core are heated

due to molten lava. This heat energy is called
geothermal energy. This energy can be
harnessed if the lava layers are near the
earth’s surface. Water is passed in these layers
Cold Water in Hot steam out
underneath the ground by pipes and the water

r
becomes vaporized and comes out from the

Si
other end, which is connected to the turbine
and generator and electricity is produced.
in Geo-Thermal Project
Advantages:
oy
1. Renewable energy. 2. No air or water pollution. 3. Continuous source of energy
M

Disadvantages: 1. Not available in all parts of the world. 2. Destroys landscapes. 3. Needs
large area. 4. Expensive.

Kinetic Energy of Wind: Wind Turbine

Wind has KE. Thus wind can rotate wind

turbines which are connected to the
generators and electricity can be
produced.

Advantages:

1. Renewable energy. 2. No air or water pollution. 3. Available in almost all parts of the
world.

Disadvantages:

1. Not a continuous source. 2. Low output. 3. Needs large area. 4. Produces sound
pollution.

Moyin Sir/ edbase/ O and A level Physics

Tidal Power:

In Tides huge amount of water moves. In high

tide huge water flows through blocked river
estuary and rotaes turbine, and when this water
flows back then again the turbine rotates and
generates electricity. This movement of tidal
water is due to the gravitational pull of the Sun

r
Si
and the Moon.

Advantages: in
1. Renewable. 2. Continuous energy source. 3. No pollution of water or air.
oy
Disadvantages:
M

1. Not suitable in every parts of the world. 2. Damage wild life. 3. Produces soil
erosion.

Water energy in hydro power project:

Dam are built in the river in hilly region. Large amount of water traps when it rains.
This water has GPE, due to height. When this water flows they can rotate turbines of
generator and electricity is produced.

Advantages: 1. Renewable. 2.
Continuous 3. No air or water
pollution. 4. Large output.

Disadvantages: 1) Not suitable in all

parts of the world. 2) Expensive. 3)
Needs large area. 4) Destroys wild-
life.

Moyin Sir/ edbase/ O and A level Physics

Wave Energy:
Turbine
The up and down movement of water has kinetic Air is pushed
energy. This KE can be converted to KE in the
turbine. When water moves up it pushes the air in
a chamer like a piston and the air rotates the Generator
turbine. Thus Electricity produces.

Water moves upward

Advantages:

r
Wave motion

Si
1. Renewable energy 2. Continuous source. 3. No water or air pollution.

Disadvantages: 1. Not suitable in all parts of the world.

in 2. Expensive to built
3. Destroys land scape.
oy
M

Biomass:

is a renewable organic matter, and can include biological material derived from
living, or recently living animals, such as wood, waste, and alcohol fuels.

Advantages: 1. Renewable. 2. less costly. 3. available in all parts of the world.

Disadvantages:

1. produces air pollution.

2. needs large area.

Moyin Sir/ edbase/ O and A level Physics