8 energy

Chapter

In Physics, work and energy are

two concepts that are closely
linked. When work is
done on an object by an
external force, the object gains
energy and the external force
loses energy. Work done on the
object equals the amount of
energy transferred from
the external force to the object.
Chapter 8: Energy
 Types of Energy
We make use of different types of energy to help us do work in our
everyday lives.

potential kinetic
nuclear
light
Types of
Energy
sound thermal
mechanical electrical

Chapter 8: Energy
 Energy

The SI unit for energy and

work done is Joules, J.

Energy is closely associated with work. It is defined as the ability to do work.

 If you have more energy, you can do more work.
 In order for work to be done, energy must be converted from one
form to another.
 Similarly, when energy is converted from one form to another, work
is done.

Chapter 8: Energy
 Defining Work
The work done, W, by a force on an object is given by the product of the
force, F, and the distance, d, moved by the object in the direction of the force.

Work = Force × distance in the direction of applied force

N m

The SI unit for work done is Joules (J). 1 joule is defined as

1 newton-metre

1 J = 1 Nm
Chapter 8: Energy
 Work Done
(a) Work done against friction
Work is done against friction when a force is applied to move an object in
contact with a surface over a certain distance.

Work done = Force × distance

= 3 × 10
= 30 J

(b) Work done against gravity

Work is done against gravity when a force is applied to lift an object to
greater height in a gravitational field.

Chapter 8: Energy
 Potential Energy
The energy stored by an object is known as potential energy.
There are many forms of potential energy, such as elastic,
chemical and gravitational potential energy.

1 Elastic potential energy

Potential
2 Chemical potential energy
energy
3 Gravitational potential energy

Chapter 8: Energy
 Elastic energy stored
in a slingshot is
converted into
kinetic energy of the
projectile when the
slingshot is released.

When wood burns, the chemical

energy in the wood is converted
into thermal and light energy.

Chapter 8: Energy
 A man lifting a barbell. The man
needs to overcome the force of
gravity on the barbell in order to
lift it.

If the mass of the barbell is m and is lifted to a height of h, the work done
by the man is therefore:

Work done = F × d
= mgΔh

Chapter 8: Energy
Chapter 8: Energy
 Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is defined as the energy possessed by a body by virtue
of its motion.

In an accident, a moving car collides with a van with a force F. The

collision causes the van to move a distance d in the direction of the
force. This results in work W being done.

Chapter 8: Energy
 Kinetic Energy
The greater the speed v of a moving body, the greater is its
kinetic energy.
The greater the mass m of the moving body, the greater is its
kinetic energy.

The kinetic energy, KE, of a body can be

calculated using the formula:
KE = ½ mv2 m/s

J kg

Chapter 8: Energy
Chapter 8: Energy
 Conservation of Energy
When work is done, energy is converted from one form to another.

Light is produced when a

flashlight is turned on.
The chemical potential energy
of the battery is converted to
electrical energy that is, in
turn, converted to thermal and
light energy.

Chapter 8: Energy
 Conservation of Energy
In a closed system, the total amount of energy remains constant before
and after work is done.

Energy cannot be created nor destroyed. It can be converted from one form
into another or transferred from one body to another.

Chapter 8: Energy
Chapter 8: Energy
 Power
Power is a force-related quantity. It measures the rate of
work done.

Work done J
Power =
Time s
Energy converted
=
Time
SI unit - watt, symbol: W.
Another unit, joules per second (J/s), is also used. 1 W = 1 J/s

Chapter 8: Energy
 Friction
Friction is the force that opposes the relative motion or
tendency of relative motion of surfaces in contact.

When a box is stationary on an incline, there is a

tendency for it to slide down.
Friction exists between the two surfaces and this opposes
the tendency of the box to slide down.
If the frictional force is the same as the force that will
cause it to slide down, the box will remain stationary.

Chapter 8: Energy
Chapter 8: Energy
 Man built machines to make work easier and faster.

Some machines are force multipliers;

Small applied force (effort) can be used to move a larger load.

Some are distance multipliers;

Distance moved by the load is larger than the distance moved by the
applied force.

Very often, force multipliers can become distance multipliers by

interchanging the position of the effort and the load.

There are six classes of simple machines; lever, inclined plane,

wheel and axle, screw, wedge and pulley

Chapter 8: Energy
 Lever
A lever is a bar that is used to move a load about a turning point. This
turning point is called the pivot or fulcrum.

Inclined Plane
An inclined plane is simply a plank or slope with a flat surface that is
higher at one end.

F2 < F1

Chapter 8: Energy
 Work done, W2, by F2 to pull mass up a frictionless slope to a height h is:

A machine operates as a force multiplier when the effort is smaller

than the load. Therefore, inclined planes are force multipliers.

Chapter 8: Energy
 Wheel and Axle
A force of F1 applied at the handle will result in force of F2 at the axle,
as shown:

If r1 and r2 are the radii of the handle and axle, then by the principle of
moments, F1 and F2 are related by:
F2 × r2 = F1 × r1
Hence, the wheel and axle enables a larger
F2 = F1 × r1 force, F2, to be obtained from a smaller
r2 applied force, F1.

Chapter 8: Energy
 Screw
A screw is an inclined plane that winds around a shaft or cylinder.
It functions as a simple machine by changing rotational force
(torque) into linear force. Screws are also used to fasten objects
together.

Chapter 8: Energy
 Wedge
A wedge is a simple machine that translates motion in one direction into
another at right angles to itself.
In its simplest form, a wedge is tool that is triangular in shape and can be
used to separate two objects.

An applied force (effort) is able to lift the weight (load) of a heavy block.
In this example, the wedge operates as a force multiplier.

Chapter 8: Energy
 Pulley
A pulley can be used to change the direction of a force.
In the case of fixed pulleys, the direction of the applied force and the
direction of motion of the load are different. The magnitude of the effort and
the load are equal.
Movable pulleys, however, can be
used as force multipliers.

In this example, the applied force

needed to lift the load is only half
the weight of the load.

Chapter 8: Energy
Chapter 8: Energy
 Efficiency is defined as the ratio of output value to input value.

Chapter 8: Energy
Chapter 8: Energy
 Alternative Sources of Energy

Aside from fossil fuels, other sources of energy include wind, solar,
tidal, hydro, geothermal and biomass energy.
The energy that is used to generate electricity in the Caribbean
comes mainly from the burning of oil.
With the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, which produces oil, the
Caribbean is a net oil importer.
As the price of oil increases, it is important to find alternative
sources of energy.

Chapter 8: Energy
 Power plants in the Caribbean convert chemical energy stored in fossil fuel into
electrical energy.
As the reserves of fossil fuel are limited, it is important to conserve the use of
fossil fuel whenever possible.
Simple ways of conserving energy include using compact fluorescent lamps
instead of incandescent lamps and using energy-efficient refrigerators and air-
conditioners. Other than that, solar-powered water heaters are a good alternative
to gas-fired or electrical heaters.

Chapter 8: Energy