Jonathan Leaver PhD

Theory
Work
When a force F moves an object of mass m through a distance s work is performed.
The amount of work is determined from the formula

Work (Joules) = Force (N) x distance (m) or W = F x s

1 Joule = 1 N-m

Power
Power (Watts) = work (J)/time (s) 1

or

P = W/t
= F x s/t
P=Fxv
Power = force x velocity 2

Theory (cont.)
Energy
A law of physics developed in the modern day by Albert Einstein

states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed it can only
be transformed from one form to another.
Energy can take many forms:
Chemical, potential, kinetic, nuclear, heat, mechanical, electrical,
electromagnetic
Potential energy is energy possessed by an object due to its position
relative to a fixed datum or height.
Kinetic energy is energy possessed by an object due to its motion

Theory (cont.)
Energy is transformed from one form to
another in hydro projects
The water behind the dam has
potential energy.
When the water travels into the
penstocks some of the potential
energy is converted into kinetic energy
When the water turns the turbine
blade some of the kinetic energy of
the water is converted to kinetic
energy in the turbine.
Some of the turbine energy is lost by
heat emission from friction in the shaft
bearings.

Much of the rest of the

turbine energy is converted to
electrical energy.

Theory (cont.)
Calculate Energy of Motion (Kinetic Energy)
Now F = m a ...... 3
Also 2 = 2 + 2
Hence a =

2 2
2

Consider an object initially at rest. Then u = 0 and a =

Substituting for a in equation 3 above gives:
2

F=m
2
But W = F x s

Therefore W = KE (Kinetic Energy) =

1
mv2
2

.4

Theory (cont.)
Calculate Potential Energy due to gravity
Now F = m a .. 3
Acceleration = gravity = g (9.81 m/s2)
Therefore F = mg

But W = F x s
where s is the height above ground level i.e. s = h.
Therefore W = PE (Potential Energy) = mgh 5

Springs
F = -kX where k = spring constant
Energy =

= 12kX2

Source: http://www.thetrc.org/pda_content/texasphysics/eBookData/Images/SB/58/LR/Spring%20Potential%20Energy.png

Example 1: Energy
A steel ball bearing of mass 50 grams is dropped from a height of 2 metres on
to a smooth, flat, rigid plate and rebounds to a height of 1.75 metres.
Calculate (i) Its original potential energy (ii) Its kinetic energy the instant
before it hits; (iii) Its kinetic energy the instant it starts to rebound; (iv) Its
velocity on impact. How do you account for energy lost in the collision of ball
and ground?

(ii) KE at the instant it hits is the same as the PE at the

start as no energy has been lost only transformed.
KE = 0.981 J

2m

Solution
(i) The original potential energy of the ball, using the
plate as a datum is
PE = mgh = 0.05 x 9.81 x 2 = 0.981 Joules (J)

1.75 m

mass=50 g

Example 1: Energy (cont.)

(iii) After impact the KE will equal the PE at the
maximum height it rises to.
PE = mgh = 0.05 x 9.81 x 1.75 = 0.858 J

(v) Energy is lost at the point of impact in heat and

noise by deformation of the ball.

2m

mass=50 g

1.75 m

(iv) The velocity on impact is determined from kinetic

energy.
KE = 0.5mv2 = 0.981 J
Therefore v2 = (0.981 x 2)/0.05 = 39.24
and v = 6.26 m/s

Example 2: Work
Work is only done in the direction of
movement by the component of force in
that direction.
Consider an object moving 20 m under a
force of 400 kN acting at an angle of 60
degrees to the horizontal.
WD = force x distance = FcosF x s
= 0.4(kN)cos60 x 20m
= 4.00 kJ

F = 400 N
= 600

Example 3: Power

sin = 1/12

An electrically driven conveyor belt carries a 60,000 packages per hour a

distance of 80 m up an incline of 1 in 12. Each package weighs 48 N and the
power absorbed by friction in the drive is 2 kW. What is the power output of the
motor?

Example 3: Power (cont.)

An electrically driven conveyor belt carries a 60,000 packages per
hour a distance of 80 m up an incline of 1 in 12. Each package weighs
48 N and the power absorbed by friction in the drive is 2 kW. What is
the power output of the motor?

(i) To determine the power output of the

motor determine firstly how much work is
done on each package and then how long it
takes to do this work.
(ii) Then we can use the formula
Power = Work/time
(iii) Work = force x distance where the force
must act in the direction of movement.
The force in this case is gravity.

sin = 1/12

The component of weight of one

package in the direction of the
conveyor = mgsin
mgsin

mg

Example 3: Power (cont.)

An electrically driven conveyor belt carries a 60,000
packages per hour a distance of 80 m up an incline of 1 in
12. Each package weighs 48 N and the power absorbed
by friction in the drive is 2 kW. What is the power output
of the motor?

The time each package takes on the belt is

t = 3600/60,000 = 0.06 s
The power ignoring friction
P = WD/t = Fsin *s/t
= 48(1/12) x 80/0.06
= 5.333 kW
However we are given 2 kW is lost in friction
therefore total power required is:
P = 5.333 + 2
= 7.333 kW

sin = 1/12

Example 4: Power

(Dodd & Richardson Ch7 No. 6 pg 99)

Slope
1 in 100

120N/t

50 N/t
300 t
700 t

A diesel-electric locomotive of mass 300 tonnes and tractive resistance 120 N/t
travels up a 1:100 slope at 60 km/h. The train pulls carriages with a mass of 700
tonnes and tractive resistance 50 N/t. Find the power developed at the driving
wheels. Ans. 2.818 MW

Solution: Power

(Dodd & Richardson Ch7 No. 6 pg 99)

Fengine

Power = force (up slope) * velocity (up slope)

We must find the force exerted by the wheels to
overcome gravity and tractive resistance.

Slope
1 in 100

120N/t

50 N/t
300 t

Summing forces up the slope

700 t

Fengine (300+700)gsin (120*300+700*50)/1000 = 0

Fengine = 169.1 kN
Power = F * v = 169.1 kN * 60/3.6 m/s = 2.818 MW

mgsin
mg

Problem 5 (Ivanoff 20.1)

A 180 tonne train climbs an incline of 1.5o for 2 km. Its
initial velocity before the climb is 90 km/h. The tractive
effort exerted by the engine is 53.2 kN and tractive
resistance is 95 N/t. Determine the final speed after the
climb.
Ans: 72 km/h

Problem 6: (Ivanoff 20.13)

A stationary 18 kg block sides down a 30 degree slope a
distance of 2.5 m where it compresses a spring with
stiffness 2.7 N/mm also aligned at 30 degrees. If the
coefficient of friction between the block and the surface is
0.2 find how much the spring will be compressed.
Ans: 349 mm Hint: Use energy and work done

Self Study
Ch 7 (Dodd and Richardson)
(p 99&100) 3,4,5,9,10,15,16,17