CHAPTER 4

Work, Energy and Power

4.1

Work

4.2 The Principle of Conservation of

Energy,
Kinetic Energy and Potential
Energy ( 2 hours)
4.3

Power

Learning Outcome:

4.2 Energy and Conservation of energy (1

hour)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Define and use kinetic energy,
Define and use potential energy:
i. gravitational potential energy,
ii. elastic potential energy for spring,

1 2
K mv
2

U mgh
1 2
U kx
2

State and use the principle of conservation of energy.

State the work-energy theorem and use the related equation.

4.2 Energy and Conservation of

energy

Energy
is defined as the systems ability to do
work.
The S.I. unit for energy is same to the
unit of work
(joule, J).
is a scalar quantity.
Table 5.1 summarises some common
types of

Forms of
Energy

Description

Chemical
Heat
Electrical

Internal

Forms of
Energy
Nuclear
Mass

Description
Energy released by the splitting of heavy nuclei.
Energy released when there is a loss of small amount
of mass in a nuclear process. The amount of energy
can be calculated from Einsteins mass-energy
equation, E = mc2

Radiant Heat Energy associated with infra-red radiation.

Sound

Energy transmitted through the propagation of a series

of compression and rarefaction in solid, liquid or gas.

Mechanical
a. Kinetic
Energy associated with the motion of a body.
b. Gravitational Energy associated with the position of a body in a
potential
gravitational field.
c. Elastic
Energy stored in a compressed or stretched spring.
potential
Table 4.1

Kinetic energy, K
is defined as the energy of a body due to its motion.

Equation :

where

1 2
K mv
2
K : kinetic energy of a body
m : mass of a body
v : speed of a body

Work-kinetic energy theorem

Consider a block with mass, m moving along the
horizontal surface (frictionless) under the action
of a constant nett force, Fnett undergoes a
displacement, s in Figure 5.8.

Fnett

Figure 5.8

F F

nett

ma

By using an equation of linear motion:

v2 u 2
a
2s

(1)

v 2 u 2 2as
(2)

By substituting equation (2) into (1), we arrive

Fnett

v2 u 2

m
2s

1 2 1
2
Fnett s mv mu K f K i
2
2
Therefore

Wnett K

states the work done by the nett force on a body

equals the change in the bodys kinetic energy.
8

Example 4.5 :
A stationary object of mass 3.0 kg is pulled
upwards by a constant force of magnitude 50 N.
Determine the speed of the object when it is
travelled upwards through 4.0 m.
2 3.0 kg ; F 50 N; s 4.0 m; u 0
(Given g = 9.81 m sm
)
Solution :

s F

The nett force acting on the object is given by

mg

mg

By applying the work-kinetic energy theorem, thus

Example 4.6 :
A block of mass 2.00 kg slides 0.750 m down an
inclined plane that slopes downward at an angle
of 36.9 below the horizontal. If the block starts
from rest, calculate its final speed. You can
ignore the friction. (Given
m m;
s u0
m 2.00gkg=; s9.81
0.750

mg sin 36.9
mg cos 36.9

36.9

mg

s
36.9

Solution : m 2.00 kg ; s 0.750 m; u 0

Since the motion of the block along the incline surface thus nett force is
given by

By using the work-kinetic energy theorem, thus

11

Example 4.7 :
F (N)
10

0
5

10

s (m)

Figure 4.9

An object of mass 2.0 kg moves along the x-axis and is acted on

by a force F. Figure 4.9 shows how F varies with distance
travelled, s. The speed of the object at s = 0 is 10 m s1.
Determine
a. the speed of the object at s = 10 m,
b. the kinetic energy of the object at s = 6.0 m.

12

Solution :
a.

m 2.0 kg; u 10 m s 1

W area under the F s graph from 0 m to 10 m

By using the work-kinetic energy theorem, thus

13

Solution :
b.

W area under the F s graph from 0 m to 6 m

By using the work-kinetic energy theorem, thus

14

Exercise 4.4 :
Use gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81 m s2
1. A bullet of mass 15 g moves horizontally at velocity of
250 m s1.It strikes a wooden block of mass 400 g placed at rest
on a floor. After striking the block, the bullet is embedded in the
block. The block then moves through 15 m and stops. Calculate
the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the floor.

Exercise 4.5 :

ANS. : 0.278

2. A parcel is launched at an initial speed of 3.0 m s1 up a rough

plane inclined at an angle of 35 above the horizontal. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between the parcel and the plane is
0.30. Determine
a. the maximum distance travelled by the parcel up the plane,
b. the speed of the parcel when it slides back to the starting
point.
ANS. : 0.560 m; 1.90 m s1

Potential Energy
is defined as the energy stored in a body or system
because of its position, shape and state.

Gravitational potential energy, U

is defined as the energy stored in a body or system
because of its position.
Equation :

U mgh

where

U : gravitatio nal potential energy

m : mass of a body
g : acceleration due to gravity

h : height of a body from the initial position

The gravitational potential energy depends only on
the height of the object above the surface of the
16
Earth.

 Work-gravitational potential energy theorem

Consider a book with mass, m is dropped from height,
h1 to height, h2 as shown in the Figure 4.10.

mg

h2

mg

h1

The work done by the gravitational force

(weight) is

Wg mgs mg h1 h2
Wg mgh1 mgh2 U i U f
Wg U f U i U

Therefore in
W U
general,
states the change in gravitational potential
energy as the negative of the work done by the
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gravitational force.

Figure 4.10

 Negative sign in the equation

indicates that
When the body moves down, h decreases, the
gravitational force does positive work because
<0.
U
When the body moves up, h increases, the work done by
gravitational force is negative because U >0.

W U U f U i

For calculation,
use
where

U f : final gravitatio nal potential energy

U i : initial gravitatio nal potential energy
W : work done by a gravitatio nal force

18

Example 4.8 :

20.0 m

Figure 4.11

In a smooth pulley system, a force F is

required to bring an object of mass 5.00 kg to
the height of 20.0 m at a constant speed of
3.00 m s1 as shown in Figure 5.11. Determine
a. the force, F
b. the work done by the force, F.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
19

Solution :

speed, thus
F

Constant
speed

m 5.00 kg; s h 20.0 m; v constant 3.00 m s 1

a. Since the object moves at the constant

mgb. From the equation of work,

F
s

mg

OR

20

Elastic potential energy, Us

is defined as the energy stored in in elastic

materials as the result of their stretching or
compressing.
Springs are a special instance of device which can store
elastic potential energy due to its compression or
stretching.
Hookes Law states the restoring force, Fs of
spring is directly proportional to the amount of
stretch or compression (extension or elongation),
x if the limit of proportionality is not exceeded
where

Fs x

Fs : the restoring force of spring

Fs kx
k : the spring constant or force constant

x : the amount of stretch or compressio n ( x f -xi )

 Negative sign in the equation indicates that the

direction of Fs is always opposite to the direction of
the amount of stretch or compression (extension),
x.Case 1:
The spring is hung vertically and its is stretched by a
suspended object with mass, m as shown in Figure
4.12.
The spring is in equilibrium
Figure 4.12
Initial position
Final position

thus

Fs W mg

Fs

W mg

 Case 2:
The spring is attached to an object and it is
stretched and compressed by a force, F as shown in
Figure 4.13.F is negative
s

Fs
x is positive
F
The spring is in
equilibrium, hence

x
x0

Fs 0
x0

Fs F

(Equilibrium position)

x 0

Fs Fs is positive

x
Figure 4.13

x is negative
23

 Caution:
For calculation, use : Fs kx F where F : applied force
The unit of k is kg s2 or N m1

Fs

From the Hookes law (without sign), a restoring

force, Fs against extension of the spring, x graph is
shown in Figure 4.14.

W area under the Fs x graph

1
W Fx1
2
0
Figure 4.14

x1

1
W k x1 x1
2
1 2
W k x1 U s
2

 The equation of elastic potential energy, Us for

compressing or stretching a spring is

1 2 1
U s kx Fs x
2
2

The work-elastic potential energy theorem,

W U s

OR

1 2 1 2
W U sf U si kx f kxi
2
2

Notes :
Work-energy theorem states the work done by the
nett force on a body equals the change in the
bodys total energy

Wnett E

E E
f

i
25

Example
4.9 :
A force of magnitude 800 N caused an extension of
20 cm on a spring. Determine the elastic potential
energy of the spring when
a. the extension of the spring is 30 cm.
b. a mass of 60 kg is suspended vertically from the
spring.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
Solution :
From the Hookes law
,a. Given x=0.300 m

26

Solution :
b. Given m=60 kg. When the spring in
equilibrium, thus

Fs

x
Therefore

W mg

27

Principle of conservation of energy

states in an isolated (closed) system, the total
energy of that system is constant.
According to the principle of conservation of
energy, we get

E E
i

The initial of total energy = the final of total energy

Conservation of mechanical energy
In an isolated system, the mechanical energy of a
system is the sum of its potential energy, U and
the kinetic energy, K of the objects are constant.

E K U constant

Ki U i K f U f

Example 4.10 :
A 1.5 kg sphere is dropped from a height of
30 cm onto a spring of spring constant,
k = 2000 N m1 . After the block hits the
spring, the spring experiences maximum
compression, x as shown in Figure 4.15.
a. Describe the energy conversion
occurred after the sphere is
dropped onto the spring until the
spring experiences maximum
compression, x.
b. Calculate the speed of the sphere just
before strikes the spring.
c. Determine the maximum compression, x.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)

30 cm

After

Before

Figure 4.15

29

Solution :
a.

h 30 cm
v

h0

x
h1

h2

(1)
(3)
(2)
The spring is not stretched The spring is not stretched The sphere is at height h2
hence Us = 0. The sphere is hence Us = 0. The sphere is above the ground after
compressing the spring by x.
at height h0 above ground
at height h1 above ground
The speed of the sphere at
therefore U = mgh0 and it is with speed, v just before
this moment is zero. Hence
strikes
the
spring.
Therefore
stationary hence K = 0.
1 2
1

mgh0

E2 mgh1

mv 2

mgh2
30

kx

Solution :
m 1.5 kg; h 0.30 m; k 2000 N m 1
b. Applying the principle of conservation of energy involving the
situation (1) and (2),

31

Solution :

m 1.5 kg; h 0.30 m; k 2000 N m 1

c. Applying the principle of conservation of energy involving the

situation (2) and (3),

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Example 4.11 :

m1

u1

m1 m2

m2

Figure 4.16

A bullet of mass, m1=5.00 g is fired into a wooden block of mass,

m2=1.00 kg suspended from some light wires as shown in Figure

4.16. The block, initially at rest. The bullet embeds in the block,
and together swing through a height, h=5.50 cm. Calculate
a. the initial speed of the bullet.
b. the amount of energy lost to the surrounding.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2)
33

Solution :

m1 5.00 10 3 kg; m2 1.00 kg; h 5.50 10 2 m

a
.

v12 0
m1

u1

u2 0
m2
(1)

m1 m2
(2)

m1 m2

u12

h
(3)

Applying the principle of conservation of energy involving the

situation (2) and (3),

Solution :
m1 5.00 10 3 kg; m2 1.00 kg; h 5.50 10 2
Applying the principle of conservation of linear momentum
involving the situation (1) and (2),

p1

p2

m1u1 m1 m2 u12

5.00 10 u 5.00 10
3

u1 209 m s 1

1.00 1.04

b. The energy lost to the surrounding, Q is given by

E E
1

1
1
2
2
Q m1 u1 m1 m 2 u12
2
2
1
1
2
2
3
Q 5.00 10 209 5.00 10 3 1.00 1.04
2
2
Q 109 J

35

Example 4.12 :

Smooth
pulley

Q
P

2m

Figure 4.17

Objects P and Q of masses 2.0 kg and 4.0 kg respectively are connected by a

light string and suspended as shown in Figure 4.17. Object Q is released from
rest. Calculate the speed of Q at the instant just before it strikes the floor.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2)
36

mP 2.0 kg; mQ 4.0 kg; h 2 m; u 0

Solution :

Smooth
pulley

Q
P

2m
Initial

Smooth
pulley

2m Q

Final

Applying the principle of conservation of mechanical energy,

37

Exercise 4.6 :
Use gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81 m s2
1. If it takes 4.00 J of work to stretch a spring 10.0 cm from its
initial length, determine the extra work required to stretch it an
additional 10.0 cm.
ANS. : 12.0 J

Exercise 4.7 :

2. A book of mass 0.250 kg is placed on top of a light vertical

spring of force constant 5000 N m1 that is compressed by
10.0 cm. If the spring is released, calculate the height of the
book rise from its initial position.
ANS. : 10.2 m

Exercise 4.8 :
3. A 60 kg bungee jumper jumps from a bridge. She is tied to a
bungee cord that is 12 m long when unstretched and falls a
total distance of 31 m. Calculate
a. the spring constant of the bungee cord.
b. the maximum acceleration experienced by the jumper.
ANS. : 100 N m1; 22 m s2

Exercise 4.9 :
4.

Figure 4.18
A 2.00 kg block is pushed against a light spring of the force constant, k =
400 N m-1, compressing it x =0.220 m. When the block is released, it
moves along a frictionless horizontal surface and then up a frictionless
incline plane with slope =37.0 as shown in Figure 5.18. Calculate
a. the speed of the block as it slides along the horizontal
surface after leaves the spring.
b. the distance travelled by the block up the incline plane before
it slides back down.
ANS. : 3.11 m s1; 0.81 m
39

Exercise 4.10 :
5.

u
A
10 m

Figure 4.19
A ball of mass 0.50 kg is at point A with initial speed, u =4 m s1 at a height
of 10 m as shown in Figure 4.19 (Ignore the frictional force). Determine
a. the total energy at point A,
b. the speed of the ball at point B where the height is 3 m,
c. the speed of the ball at point D,
d. the maximum height of point C so that the ball can pass over
it.
ANS. : 53.1 J; 12.4 m s1; 14.6 m s1; 10.8 m

40