Physics For O-Level

Work, Energy and The Principle for Conservation of Energy

Work
Work is the product of the force on a body and the distance it moves in
the direction of the force
Work done = force x distance moved in the direction of the force
Work is done whenever energy is changed from one form into another.
SI unit is joule (J)
Work is a scalar quantity
Energy
energy is defined as the capacity to do work
SI unit is joule (J)
Energy is a scalar quantity
Kinetic energy is the energy a body possesses due to its movement
kinetic energy can be classified into
- translational kinetic energy: possessed by bodies in translational motion (eg
moving train) =1/2 mv2
- rotational kinetic energy: possessed by bodies in rotational motion (eg
rotating merry-go-round)
potential energy is the energy a body possesses due to its position or
state
potential energy can be classified into:
- gravitational potential energy: possessed by a body due to its position = mgh
- elastic potential energy: possessed by a body due to its strained state of being
stretched or compressed
Example 1. A ball of mass 500g is moving at a velocity of 5m/s. What is the
kinetic energy of the ball?
kinetic energy = 1/2 mv2 = 1/2 x 0.5 x 5 x 5 = 6.25 J
Example 2. Billy has a mass of 40kg. He runs up a flight of 20 steps, each of
height 0.25m. Calculate his gain in gravitational potential energy
gain in gravitational potential energy = mgh = 40 x 10 x (20 x 0.25) = 2000 J

Principle of Conservation of Energy
States that "energy can neither be created not destroyed but can be
transformed from one form into another with no change in its total amount."
Example. A ball of mass 3kg is dropped from a height of 5m.
i. calculate the gravitational potential energy of the ball before it is dropped
ii. calculate the speed of the ball on hitting the ground
iii. if the ball bounces to a height of 3m, with what speed does it leave the
ground?
iv. explain why the ball does not reach its original height when it bounces up
again
i. gravitational potential energy = mgh = 3 x 10 x 5 = 150J
ii. The kinetic energy of the ball on hitting the ground is equal to the ball's
original gravitational potential energy so the kinetic energy of the ball on
hitting the ground = 150J
If the ball hits the ground with speed v,
1/2 mv2 = 150
v2 = (150 - 2)/3 = 100
v = 10ms-1
iii. The kinetic energy of the ball on leaving the ground is equal to its
gravitational potential energy on rising to its maximum height, that is 3m. The
gravitational potential energy of the ball 3m above the ground = 3 x 10 x 3 =
90 J
The kinetic energy of the ball leaving the ground = 90 J
If the ball leaves the ground with speed v,
1/2 mv2 = 90v2 = (90 x 2)/3
v = 7.746ms-1
iv. Because part of its kinetic energy is changed into other forms of energy like
sound and heat when it hits the ground
Eg. A pendulum bob of mass 0.5kg is moved sideways until it has risen by a
vertical height of 0.2m. Calculate the speed of the bob at its
i. highest point
ii. lowest point
i. at the highest point, the kinetic energy of the bob = 0
if the speed of the bob at its highest point is v,
1/2 mv2 = 0
1/2 x 0.5 x v = 0
v2 = 0
v = 0
ii. according to the principle of conservation of energy, the kinetic energy of at
the lowest point is equal to the gravitational potential energy at the highest
point.
If the speed of the bob at its lowest point is v,
1/2 mv2 = mgh
v2 = 2 x 10 x 0.2 = 4
v = 2 m/s

Power and efficiency
Power is defined as the rate of doing work
Power = work done/time taken
SI unit is watt (W)
Efficiency is the ratio of useful output energy to the total input energy or
the ratio of useful power to the total input power.
Efficiency = (useful output energy / input energy) x 100%
Eg. A crane can lift a 200kg mass through a vertical height of 5m in 4s.
Calculate
i. the power output of the motor driving the crane
ii. the efficiency of the motor if the power input is 5kW
i. power output = work done/time taken = (200 x 10 x 5)/4 = 2500W
ii. efficiency of motor = (power output/power input) x 100% = (2500/5000) x
100% = 50%

Friction
The net force that slows down moving objects
Acts in the opposite direction of motion of objec
1. Static friction

related to objects which are not moving.
amount of force applied = amount of friction
2. Moving friction

applied force does not affect friction
it can be affected by surface or sudden change in mass
Advantages of friction
enables walking
brakes of vehicles
Disadvantages
reduce efficiency of machinery
energy wasted as heat
Methods to reduce friction
lubricants
ball bearings