CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

CHAPTER 5:
Work, Energy and Power
(3 Hours)

1
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

Learning Outcome:
5.1 Work (1 hour)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

(a) Define and use work done by a force.

W F s

(b) Determine work done from the force-

displacement graph.

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

5.1 Work, W

Work done by a constant force

is defined as the product of the component of the

force parallel to the displacement times the
displacement of a body.

OR

is defined as the scalar (dot) product between

force and displacement of a body.

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

Mathematically :

W F s

W F cos s Fs cos

Where,

F : magnitude of force
s : displaceme nt of the body

: the angle between F and s

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
It is a scalar quantity.

Dimension :
W F s
W ML2T 2
The S.I. unit of work is kg m2 s2 or joule (J).

The joule (1 J) is defined as the work done by a force of 1 N

which results in a displacement of 1 m in the direction of
the force.

1 J 1 N m 1 kg m 2 s 2

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

Work done by a variable force

Figure 5.1 shows a force, F whose magnitude

changes with the displacement, s.

For a small displacement, s1 the force remains

almost constant at F1 and work done therefore
becomes W1=F1 s1 .

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
F/N

FN

F4
F1 Figure 5.1
W1
0 s1 s2
s1 s4 ssN

To find the total work done by a variable force, W when the

displacement changes from s=s1 to s=s2, we can divide the
displacement into N small successive displacements :
s1 , s2 , s3 , , sN
Thus W F1s1 F2 s2 ... FN s N 7
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
When N , s 0, therefore
s2
W Fds
s1

W the area under the force - displaceme nt graph

F/N

Work = Area

0 s1 s2 s/m 8
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

Applications of works equation

Case 1 :
Work done by a horizontal force, F on an object (Figure 4.2).

F W Fs cos and 0
W Fs
Figure 5.2
s
Case 2 :
Work done by a vertical force, F on an object (Figure 4.3).

F
W Fs cos and 90
W 0J
Figure 5.3
s
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Case 3 :
Work done by a horizontal forces, F1 and F2 on an object



(Figure 5.4). F1 W 1 F1 s cos 0
F2
2 2
W F s cos 0
s
W W1 W2 F1s F2 s
Figure 5.4

W F1 F2 s and Fnett F1 F2
W W nett Fnett s
Case 4 :

Work done by a force, F and frictional force, f on an object
(Figure 5.5).
F

f
Figure 5.5 s
Wnett Fnett s and Fnett F cos f ma
Wnett F cos f s OR Wnett mas 10
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Caution :
Work done on an object is zero when F = 0 or s = 0 and
= 90.

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

Sign for work.

W Fs cos
If 0< <90 (acute angle) then cos > 0 (positive value)
therefore
W > 0 (positive) work done on the system ( by
the external force) where energy
is transferred to the system.
If 90< <180 (obtuse angle) then cos <0 (negative
value) therefore
W < 0 (negative) work done by the system
where energy is transferred
from the system.

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.1 :
You push your physics reference book 1.50 m along a horizontal
table with a horizontal force of 5.00 N. The frictional force is 1.60 N.
Calculate
a. the work done by the 5.00 N force,
b. the work done by the frictional force,
c. the total work done on the book.
Solution : F 5.00 N
f 1.60 N
s 1.50 m
a. Use works equation of constant force,

WF Fs cos and 0

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution :
b. W fs cos and 180
f
W f 1.60 1.50 cos180

c.
W W W F f

W 7.50 2.40
OR

W F nett s
W F f s W 5.00 1.601.50
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

Example 5.2 :
A box of mass 20 kg moves up a rough plane which is inclined to
the horizontal at 25.0. It is pulled by a horizontal force F of
magnitude 250 N. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the box
and the plane is 0.300.
a. If the box travels 3.80 m along the plane, determine
i. the work done on the box by the force F,
ii. the work done on the box by the gravitational force,
iii. the work done on the box by the reaction force,
iv. the work done on the box by the frictional force,
v. the total work done on the box.
b. If the speed of the box is zero at the bottom of the plane,
calculate its speed when it is travelled 3.80 m.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2)
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution : m 20 kg; F 250 N; k 0.300; s 3.80 m

a
N Fx
25
Fy F s
y mg sin 25
x fk 25
mg cos 25
25
W mg
a. Consider the work done along inclined plane, thus
i.
WF Fx s cos and
0

WF 250 cos 25 3.80 cos 0
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution :
a. ii. Wg
mg sin 25 s cos and 180

Wg 20 9.81sin 25 3.80 cos180

iii. WN Ns cos and 90

iv. Wf f k s cos and 180

Wf k N s cos180
Wf
k F sin 25 mg cos 25 s
Wf
0.300 250 sin 25 209.81cos 25 3.80

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution :
a. v.
W W W W
W F g N f

W 861 315 0 323

b. Given u 0
By using equation of work for nett force,

W mas
223 20 a3.80

Hence by using the equation of linear motion,

v 2 u 2 2as
v 2 0 22.933.80
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.3 :
F (N)

0 3 5 6 7 s(m)
4
Figure 5.6
A horizontal force F is applied to a 2.0 kg radio-controlled car as it
moves along a straight track. The force varies with the
displacement of the car as shown in Figure 5.6. Calculate the work
done by the force F when the car moves from 0 to 7 m.
Solution :
W area under the F s graph
W 6 5 35 7 6 4
1 1
2 2
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Exercise 5.1 :
1. A block of mass 2.50 kg is pushed 2.20 m along a frictionless
horizontal table by a constant 16.0 N force directed 25.0 below
the horizontal. Determine the work done on the block by
a. the applied force,
b. the normal force exerted by the table, and
c. the gravitational force.
d. Determine the total work on the block.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2)
ANS. : 31.9 J; (b) & (c) U think; 31.9 J

2. A trolley is rolling across a parking lot of a supermarket. You
apply a constant force F 30 i 40j N to the trolley as it


undergoes a displacement s 9.0i 3.0j m . Calculate
a. the work done on the trolley by the force F,
b. the angle between the force and the displacement of the
trolley.
20
ANS. : 150 J; 108
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Exercise 5.1 : y
3.
F3
35
F1 x

50
F2
Figure 5.7
Figure 5.7 shows an overhead view of three horizontal forces
acting on a cargo that was initially stationary but that now
moves across a frictionless floor. The force magnitudes are
F1 = 3.00 N, F2 = 4.00 N and F3 = 10.0 N. Determine the total
work done on the cargo by the three forces during the first
4.00 m of displacement.
ANS. : 15.3 J
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Learning Outcome:
5.2 Energy And Conservation Of Energy
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
(a) Define and use kinetic energy,
1
K mv 2
2
(b) Define and use potential energy:
i. gravitational potential energy,
U mgh
ii. elastic potential energy for spring,
1 2
U kx
2
(c) State and use the principle of conservation of energy.
(d) Explain the work-energy theorem and use the related
equation.
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
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).
The dimension of energy
Energy Work ML T 2 2

is a scalar quantity.
Table 5.1 summarises some common types of energy.
Forms of
Description
Energy
Energy released when chemical bonds between atoms
Chemical
and molecules are broken.
Electrical Energy that is associated with the flow of electrical charge.
Energy that flows from one place to another as a result of
Heat
a temperature difference.
Total of kinetic and potential energy of atoms or molecules
Internal
within a body.
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Forms of
Description
Energy
Nuclear 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
Mass
can be calculated from Einsteins mass-energy
equation, E = mc2
Radiant Heat Energy associated with infra-red radiation.
Energy transmitted through the propagation of a series
Sound
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 5.1 24
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Conservation of energy
5.2.1 Kinetic energy, K
is defined as the energy of a body due to its motion.
Equation :
where K : kinetic energy of a body
1 2
K mv m : mass of a body
2 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,
s in Figure 4.8.
Fnett undergoes a displacement,
Fnett m

Figure 5.8 s
F F nett ma (1) 25
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
By using an equation of linear motion:
v 2 u 2 2as
v2 u 2
a (2)
2s
By substituting equation (2) into (1), we arrive
v2 u 2
Fnett m
2s
1 2 1 2
Fnett s mv mu K f K i
2 2
Wnett K
Therefore

states the work done by the nett force on a body equals the
change in the bodys kinetic energy.

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.4 :
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.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2)
Solution : m 3.0 kg ; F 50 N; s 4.0 m; u 0
The nett force acting on the object is given by
Fnett F mg 50 3.09.81
F

By applying the work-kinetic energy theorem, thus

mg Wnett K f K i
1 2
Fnett s mv 0
s F 2
20.64.0 3.0v 2
1
2
mg 27
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.5 :
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 g = 9.81 m s2)
Solution : m 2.00 kg ; s 0.750 m; u 0

N
a
mg sin 36.9 y
mg cos 36.9
36.9
mg x
s
36.9 28
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
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
Fnett mg sin 36.9
Fnett 2.00 9.81sin 36.9

By using the work-kinetic energy theorem, thus

Wnett K f K i
1 2
Fnett s mv 0
2
11.80.750 2.00v 2
1
2

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.6 :
F (N)
10

0 6 7 10
4 s(m)
5
Figure 5.9

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

by a force F. Figure 5.9 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.

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution : m 2.0 kg; u 10 m s 1
a. W area under the F s graph from 0 m to 10 m

W 6 410 10 6 10 7 5
1 1
2 2
By using the work-kinetic energy theorem, thus

W K f Ki
1 2 1
W mv mu 2
2 2
32.5 2.0v 2.010
1 2 1 2

2 2

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution :
b. W area under the F s graph from 0 m to 6 m
W 6 410
1
2
By using the work-kinetic energy theorem, thus

W K f Ki
1
W K f mu 2
2
50 K f 2.010
1 2

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Exercise 5.2 :
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.
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
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
5.2.2 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 Earth.
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Work-gravitational potential energy theorem
Consider a book with mass, m is dropped from height, h1 to
height, h2 as shown in the Figure 5.10.
The work done by the gravitational force
(weight) is

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

mg
Wg U f U i U
h2
Therefore in general,

Figure 5.10
W U
states the change in gravitational potential energy as
the negative of the work done by the gravitational force.
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Negative sign in the equation indicates that
When the body moves down, h decreases, the
gravitational force does positive work because U <0.
When the body moves up, h increases, the work done
by gravitational force is negative because U >0.
For calculation, use

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

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.7 :

F
20.0 m

Figure 5.11

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)
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution : m 5.00 kg; s h 20.0 m; v constant 3.00 m s 1
a. Since the object moves at the constant
F speed, thus
Fnett 0
F mg

mg
b. From the equation of work,
F s
Constant W Fs cos and 0
speed

mg OR
W Fs cos and 0
W U mgh

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
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
OR Fs x
Fs kx
where
Fs : the restoring force of spring
k : the spring constant or force constant
x : the amount of stretch or compressio n ( x f -xi ) 39
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
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 5.12.

Figure 5.12

Initial position
Fs
x
Final position

The spring is in equilibrium, thus

Fs W mg
W mg
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Case 2:
The spring is attached to an object and it is stretched and
compre5sed by a force, F as shown in Figure 5.13.

Fs is negative F
s

x is positive F
The spring is in equilibrium,
x hence
x0 Fs F
Fs 0
x0
(Equilibrium position)
x 0
F Fs Fs is positive
x is negative
x
Figure 5.13 41
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Caution:
For calculation, use : Fs kx F where F : applied force
Dimension of spring constant, k :
Fs
k MT 2
x
The unit of k is kg s2 or N m1
From the Hookes law (without sign), a restoring force, Fs
against extension of the spring, x graph is shown in Figure 5.14.
Fs
F W area under the Fs x graph
W kx1 x1
1 1
W Fx1
2 2
1 2
W kx1 U s
2
0 Figure 5.14 x x
1 42
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
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,

1 2 1 2
W U s OR 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

E E
OR
Wnett E f i

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.8 :
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 : F 800 N; x 0.200 m
From the Hookes law,
Fs F kx
800 k 0.20

a. Given x=0.300 m, 1 2
U s kx
2
1
2

U s 4 10 3 0.300
2

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution :
b. Given m=60 kg. When the spring in
equilibrium, thus
Fnett 0
Fs mg
Fs kx mg
x
4 103 x 60 9.81

1 2
Therefore U s kx
2

W mg
1
2
3

U s 4 10 0.147
2

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
5.2.3 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
The initial of total energy = the final of total energy
OR

E E
i f

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
OR

Ki U i K f U f
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.9 :
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 5.15. 30 cm
a. Describe the energy conversion
occurred after the sphere is
dropped onto the spring until the
x
spring experiences maximum
compression, x.
b. Calculate the speed of the sphere just
before strikes the spring. Before After
c. Determine the maximum compression, x. Figure 5.15
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
47
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution :
a.

h 30 cm

h0 v
x
h1
h2
(1) (2) (3)
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
at height h0 above ground at height h1 above ground compressing the spring by x.
therefore U = mgh0 and it is with speed, v just before The speed of the sphere at
stationary hence K = 0. this moment is zero. Hence
strikes the spring. Therefore

1 2
E 1 mgh0
1
E2 mgh1 mv 2
2
E3 mgh2 kx
2 48
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
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),

E E
1
1 2
2

mgh0 mgh1 mv
2
mg h0 h1 mv and h h0 h1
1 2
2
v 2 gh
v 29.810.30

49
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
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),

E E
2 3
1 2 1 2
mgh1 mv mgh2 kx
2 2
mg h1 h2 mv kx and x h1 h2
1 2 1 2
2 2
1.59.81x 1.52.43 2000 x 2
1 2 1
2 2

50
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.10 :

m1 m2
m1 u1
m2 h
Figure 5.16
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
5.16. 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) 51
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution : m1 5.00 10 3 kg; m2 1.00 kg; h 5.50 10 2 m
a.

v12 0

u2 0 m1 m2
u1 u12
m1 m2 h
m1 m2
(1) (2) (3)
Applying the principle of conservation of energy involving the
situation (2) and (3), E2 E3
K U
1
m1 m2 u12 2 m1 m2 gh
2
u12 2 gh 29.81 5.50 10 2
52
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution : m1 5.00 10 3 kg; m2 1.00 kg; h 5.50 10 2 m
Applying the principle of conservation of linear momentum
involving the situation (1) and (2),

p1 p2
m1u1 m1 m2 u12

5.00 10 3 u1 5.00 10 3 1.00 1.04

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

Q E E
1 2

Q m1 u1 m1 m 2 u12
1 2 1 2

2 2

2
3 2
1
2

Q 5.00 10 209 5.00 10 3 1.00 1.04
1 2

53
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.11 :

Smooth
pulley

2m
P
Figure 5.17
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
5.17. 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)
54
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution : mP 2.0 kg; mQ 4.0 kg; h 2 m; u 0

Smooth Smooth
pulley pulley

Q v P

2m 2m Q
P v
Initial Final
Applying the principle of conservation of mechanical energy,

E E
i f U Q U P K P KQ
1 1
mQ gh mP gh mP v mQ v 2
2
2 2
4.09.812 2.09.812 2.0v 4.0v 2
1 2 1
2 2
55
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Exercise 5.3 :
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
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
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
56
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Exercise 5.3 :
4.

Figure 5.18
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 57
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Exercise 5.3 : C
5. u
A
10 m
B D
Figure 5.19
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 5.19 (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
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Learning Outcome:
5.3 Power and mechanical efficiency (1 hour)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
(a) Define and use power:
Average power, W
Pav
t
Instantaneous Power, dW
P
dt

(b) Derive and apply the formulae P F v
(c) Define and use mechanical efficiency,
Poutput
100%
Pinput
and the consequences of heat dissipation.
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

5.3 Power and mechanical efficiency

5.3.1 Power, P
is defined as the rate at which work is done.
OR the rate at which energy is transferred.
If an amount of work, W is done in an amount of time t by a
force, the average power, Pav due to force during that time
interval is
W E
Pav
t t
The instantaneous power, P is defined as the instantaneous
rate of doing work, which can be write as
W dW
P limit
t 0 t dt
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
is a scalar quantity.
The dimension of the power is

P W ML2T 2
ML2T 3
t T
The S.I. unit of the power is kg m2 s3 or J s1 or watt (W).
Unit conversion of watt (W), horsepower (hp) and foot pounds
per second (ft. lb s1)

1 hp 746 W 550 ft. lb s 1

Consider an object that is moving at a constant velocity v along
a frictionless horizontal surface and is acted by a constant force,
F directed at angle above the horizontal as shown in Figure
5.20. The object undergoes a displacement of ds.

F


Figure 5.20
ds 61
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Therefore the instantaneous power, P is given by

and dW F cos ds
dW
P
dt
P
F cos ds and
v
ds
dt dt
P Fv cos
OR

P F v
where F : magnitude of force
v : magnitude of velocity

: the angle between F and v

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.12 :
An elevator has a mass of 1.5 Mg and is carrying 15 passengers
through a height of 20 m from the ground. If the time taken to lift
the elevator to that height is 55 s. Calculate the average power
required by the motor if no energy is lost. (Use g = 9.81 m s2 and
the average mass per passenger is 55 kg)
Solution : h 20 m; t 55 s
M = mass of the elevator + mass of the 15 passengers
M = 1500 + (5515) = 2325 kg
According to the definition of average power,
E Mgh
Pav Pav
t t

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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Example 5.13 :
An object of mass 2.0 kg moves at a constant speed of 5.0 m s1
up a plane inclined at 30 to the horizontal. The constant frictional
force acting on the object is 4.0 N. Determine
a. the rate of work done against the gravitational force,
b. the rate of work done against the frictional force,
c. the power supplied to the object. (Given g = 9.81 m s2 )
1
Solution : m 2.0 kg; v 5.0 m constant; f 4.0 N
s

N v

s
y mg sin 30
x f 30
mg cos 30
30
W mg 64
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution : m 2.0 kg; v 5.0 m s 1 constant; f 4.0 N
a. the rate of work done against the gravitational force is given by
Wg

mg sin 30 s cos

and 180
t t
Wg
t

mg sin 30
s
t
and v
s
t

Wg
t

mg sin 30 v
Wg
t

2.09.81sin 30 5.0
Wg
OR Fg v cos
t
Wg
t

mg sin 30 v cos180
65
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution : m 2.0 kg; v 5.0 m s 1 constant; f 4.0 N
b. The rate of work done against the frictional force is
W f
fv cos and 180
t

c. The power supplied to the object, Psupplied

= the power lost against gravitational and frictional forces, Plost
Wg W f
Psupplied
t t

66
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
5.3.2 Mechanical efficiency,
Efficiency is a measure of the performance of a machines,
engine and etc...
The efficiency of a machine is defined as the ratio of the useful
(output) work done to the energy input.
is a dimensionless quantity (no unit).
Equations:
Wout
100%
Ein
OR

Pout
100%
Pin
where Pout : power produced by the system
Pin : power supplied to a system
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Notes :
In practice, Pout< Pin hence < 100%.
The system loses energy to its surrounding because it may
have encountered resistances such as surface friction or
air resistance.
The energy which is dissipated to the surroundings, may
be in the form of heat or sound.

Example 5.14 :
A 1.0 kW motor is used to lift an object of mass 10 kg vertically
upwards at a constant speed. The efficiency of the motor is 75 %.
Determine
a. the rate of heat dissipated to the surrounding.
b. the vertical distance travelled by the object in 5.0 s.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2 )
68
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Solution : m 10.0 kg; 75%; Pin 1000 W
a. The output power of the motor is given by
Pout
100 %
Pin
Pout
75 100
1000
Therefore the rate of heat dissipated to the surrounding is
Rate of heat dissipated Pin Pout 1000 750

b. Pout Fv cos where 0 and F mg

Pout mgv cos 0
Since the speed is constant hence the vertical distance in 5.0 s
h
is v
t
69
CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Exercise 5.4 :
Use gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81 m s2
1. A person of mass 50 kg runs 200 m up a straight road inclined
at an angle of 20 in 50 s. Neglect friction and air resistance.
Determine
a. the work done,
b. the average power of the person.
ANS. : 3.36104 J; 672 W
2. Electrical power of 2.0 kW is delivered to a motor, which has an
efficiency of 85 %. The motor is used to lift a block of mass
80 kg. Calculate
a. the power produced by the motor.
b. the constant speed at which the block being lifted vertically
upwards by the force produced by the motor.
(neglect air resistance)
ANS. : 1.7 kW; 2.17 m s1
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CHAPTER 5 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Exercise 5.4 :
3.

10 1

Figure 5.21
A car of mass 1500 kg moves at a constant speed v up a road
with an inclination of 1 in 10 as shown in Figure 5.21. All
resistances against the motion of the car can be neglected. If
the engine car supplies a power of 12.5 kW, calculate the
speed v.
ANS. : 8.50 m s1

71