MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Department of Physics

E201: WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

ROMERO, Von Joby M.

2009102874 BSChE-2 Group 3
PHY11L-A4
SCORE
SDS
(5)
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Abstract
(5)
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Introduction
(10)
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Methodology
(10)
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Results &
Discussion (10)
Conclusion ______
(10)
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Acknowledgment ______
& Reference (10)
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Total = ____

October 18, 2010

ABSTRACT. The core viewpoint of this experiment is to illustrate how work, energy and power are interrelated to each
other. A fan cart, smart timer, and a track were used in order to define work and power as well as the energy
conservation principle. Computation was also done on the work of a motion along a curved path produced. Initial
measurement of force and recording of displacement and time were two primary steps for obtaining work and power.
When the fan cart moves at a longer distance, it produces a greater amount of work. On the other hand, since the object
is moving horizontally, the power is remained constant. Afterwards, work and energy (gravitation potential energy) was
obtained on a much complicated means because it displaces on a curve path. Continual increase in pulling the object is
done in order to raise it at a certain height. Later in that, it is found out that potential energy and work are of the same
magnitude which can be proven by the law of conservation of energy and work-energy theorem.

INTRODUCTION

Aircrafts do normally take off from the deck of ships For a body moving along ⃑⃑𝑠 , displacement with a
through catapult system (catapult – mechanism for constant force ⃑⃑⃑𝐹 , work can be defined as:
launching aircraft at a speed sufficient for flight). Large
force is applied to the aircraft as it is displaced across 𝑾 = ⃑⃑⃑𝑭 . ⃑⃑𝒔 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟑
the deck of a ship. Obviously, the purpose of this is to
attain a certain speed before it can remain airborne The SI unit for work is J, Joule which is equal to 0.7376
which the catapult provides. In the language of ft.lb in British System.
kinematics, it is described as the motion of the plane
having accelerated. In the language of Newton’s law, it For instance that ⃑⃑⃑𝐹 is not parallel to displacement, only
can be explained as the net force of the object is the component parallel to the displacement can only
causing it to accelerate. Nonetheless, another language
affect work. The angle θ between⃑⃑⃑𝐹 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ⃑⃑𝑠, is related by:
can be used by physicist to explain this phenomenon. It
is through the concept of work and energy. This
𝑾 = 𝑭𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒔𝛉 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟒
experiment intended to explain how work, energy and
power are different and how they are related as well.
When force is in the same direction with displacement
which is the maximum, work is simply:
One vital concept of physics is the energy. The universe
possesses energy and matter. For simplicity, matter is a 𝑾 = 𝑭𝒔 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟓
substance and energy is used to move these substances.
Energy is appearing in various forms. Among those are
It is related to the magnitude of the vector dot product
kinetic, gravitational potential, elastic potential, electric of force and displacement. Thus, by analysis, for angle θ
potential, thermal, chemical, etc. Work, on the other
is 900, force is perpendicular to displacement. Therefore,
hand, is the change in energy from one form to another
W=Fscos(900)=0.
by means of an external force. When work is done on
an object, therefore, the object is said to have either
On the other hand, Power, which is another term in
gained or lost a certain amount of energy of a particular physics, is the rate of time at which work is done. Power
type. The total work done on a particle by all forces that
is a function of time unlike in work which is a function of
act on it is equal to the change in its kinetic energy, also
displacement. Similarly, power is also a vector dot
known as the work-energy theorem.
product of vectors force and velocity. It is given by the
equation:
This can derived from:
𝜟𝑾 𝒅𝑾
𝑷 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟔
𝑾 = ∫ 𝑭𝒅𝒙 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟏 𝒕→∞ 𝜟𝒕 𝒕→∞ 𝒅𝒕

𝑑𝑣
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑣 It can be also expressed as:
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑣 𝑭𝜟𝒔
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑚𝑣 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑚𝑣𝑑𝑣 𝑷= = 𝑭𝒗 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟕
𝑑𝑥 𝜟𝒕

𝑣2
𝑷 = ⃑⃑⃑𝑭 . 𝒗
⃑ 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟖
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑚𝑣𝑑𝑣
𝑣1
1 1
= 𝑚𝑣2 2 − 𝑚𝑣1 2 One part of the experiment is where a hanging object
2 2
= 𝐾2 − 𝐾1 tied in a string with a certain length, R. It is constantly
𝑾 = 𝜟𝑲 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟐 raised where work and potential gravitation energy is
computed. On a motion of a body moving in a curved
path, a figure represents the system below:
 METHODOLOGY

The first experiment is generally divided into two parts.

T For the first half, calculations of work and power of a fan
θ R cart is the primary
θ
F concern. To do so,
materials such as fan
cart, track, smart
W timer, photogates,
pan with loads, etc.
are given to us in
assembling the set-
Figure 1: (a) Part 2 actual up. The fan cart has
diagram, (b) Free body diagram fan on it which aids it
to move. The fan has wooden blades, so we are careful
on using it while it is in motion. We set the track
𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹 − 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛θ = 0 horizontally on the table, as 00 as possible to minimize
errors. Initial determination of the force exerted by the
𝛴𝐹𝑦 = −𝑊 + 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠θ = 0 fan was determined in a trial and error basis. The track
is assumed to be frictionless – for an ideal
Dividing both equations: experimentation. String is attached at the end of the
cart and pan with
𝐹 = 𝑊𝑡𝑎𝑛θ loads to the other
end. The load has
varied masses. The
𝑊 = ∫ 𝐹𝑑𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
fan cart is allowed to
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑙 = 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑅𝑑θ move in such a way
that is pulling the pan
𝑊 = ∫(𝑊𝑡𝑎𝑛θ)𝑐𝑜𝑠θ𝑅𝑑θ with loads, moving
away from the pan.
θ
Loads were
𝑊 = 𝑊𝑅 ∫ 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ𝑑θ
0 continually added until such a time that the fan cart is
not moving – an indication that equilibrium is achieved.
𝑾 = 𝑾𝑹(𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝛉) 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟗 At this point, the force exerted by weight and the fan
cart are of the same magnitude (See Figure 2).
Aside from kinetic, another type of mechanical energy is
the potential energy. It is due to position or Direction of motion
configuration which is the possibility of work to be done.
Change in the gravitational potential energy is the work
done by gravity. It has an equation:
fan cart
𝑷𝑬𝒈 = 𝒎𝒈𝜟𝒚 𝐨𝐫 𝒎𝒈𝒉 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟏𝟎

Naturally for this case in our experiment, energy being

used are both potential gravitational energy and kinetic
energy. According to Law of Conservation of Energy,
energy is neither created nor destroyed, but transform
from one form to another. Law of Conservation of
Energy states that the sum of the total energy in the
universe is a constant quantity.
In the experiment, we will determine the power of the
fan cart by using the definition of work and energy
conservation principle as well as to compute work for a
motion along a curved path. It is also reflected how
energy is transformed or conserved.
dynamics track
?
pan + weight of mass
Figure 2. Setup for determining the force of cart
Afterwards, work was determined at different
displacement, so as to power where another attribute is
considered which is time. Fan cart is allowed to travel at
a specific displacement along the track. Photogates 1
and 2 serves as the initial and final positions,
respectively, to determine the length of displacement. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Time was measured using a smart timer. Note that
before releasing the fan cart to move, hold it for a while On the first part of the experiment, one minor error that
in order to generate the fan’s full force to avoid can be possibly done is performing the experiment not
mistakes. in a horizontal table. This would affect greatly in the
determination of force. For every angle θ, tilting of the
On the latter half of table, we could have:
the experiment, 𝐹 = 𝑇 + 𝑊𝑠𝑖𝑛θ instead of 𝐹 = 𝑇 alone.
determination of Where 𝑇 = 𝑊𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 𝑚𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑔
work and energy 𝑊 = 𝐹𝑠 = (𝑇 + 𝑊𝑠𝑖𝑛θ ) instead of Ts alone.
(gravitational | 𝑠(𝑇 − (𝑇 + 𝑊𝑓𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ) |
% 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝑥100%
potential) was done 𝑇𝑠
using an object 𝑊𝑓𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ (0.5048 kg)sinθ
= 𝑥100% = 𝑚 𝑥100%
with mass which is 𝑚𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑔 0.040𝑘𝑔 (9.8 2 )
raised time to time. 𝑠
= 𝟏. 𝟐𝟖𝟖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝛉 𝐱 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
The object with
mass used is bottle like shape with cylindrical body. This
object with mass is tied on a string. The other end of 140
the string is also tied into an iron stand. Initial height of
120
the mass and the length of the string connecting the
iron stand and the object were recorded. Repetitive 100

%Difference
pulling the mass using a horizontal force was done (See 80
Figure 3).
60
The force can be obtained using the spring balance. It is 40
important to do horizontal pulling to minimize errors. It
20
is also done in
order to take the 0
full account of the 0 50 100 150
force exerted. As Degreess of tilting
we pull it, height is
increasing. The
final height on each The parabolic trend in the % error of tilting of the
pull was recorded track. On the x, we could see the angle θ, while in y,
as well. Like in the we could see the % difference.
first part, it is done
in several trials as a Thus, for every increase of 10, percent error is increasing
technique of diminishing the percentage error. Finally, by around 1-2%.
gravitational potential energy of the mass as well as the
work done by the horizontal force is computed using the Another major source of error is when we immediately
obtained data. allow the fan cart to move and not holding it just for a
while in order for the fan to generate its full force. We
cannot easily quantify this error, but surely, it will
decrease the original force needed. Another problem we
encounter is when the power we had calculated is in
slightly increasing trend, this must be a problem with the
θ L time, because in the experiment, the power we had
F obtained is a function of time. Actually, power is
constant. Because of this, correction factor is needed.
m
Since, smart timer is closely to be accurate, we just add
an uncertainty number of ±𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓 𝒔. This would lead to
S h hf decrease of absolute deviation. Example of this are
ho shown in the table below: (for first two trials)
x
Experimental Value Absolute deviation
0.1614-0.005 = 1.95% to 0.50%
0.1564
Figure 3. Setup for determining work and PEg 0.3192-0.005 = 0.84% to 0.05%
0.3142
On the data proper, it is shown in the table below the
partial result of the first part of the experiment. It is
observed that as displacement is increasing, the work
done by the fan cart is also increasing. It also shows
that the power is constant. By graphing, the work-
displacement relation is linear. It has a slope of 0.392
which is equal to force (See figure below).
𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝛥𝑈 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ − 𝑚𝑔ℎ0 = 𝑚𝑔𝛥ℎ
By applying the law of conservation of mechanical
energy, we could say that it follows the general
interpretation this scenario even at varying direction
(circular path) is:
𝑇𝐸1 + 𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝑇𝐸2

0.1800 where TE1 is the total energy at P1 and TE 2 for P2,

0.1600 y = 0.392x respectively.
0.1400
0.1200 𝑇𝐸1 = 𝐾𝐸1 + 𝑃𝐸1 , similarly, 𝑇𝐸2 = 𝐾𝐸2 + 𝑃𝐸2
𝐾𝐸1 + 𝑃𝐸1 + 𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝐾𝐸2 + 𝑃𝐸2
0.1000
0 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ0 + 𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 0 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ
0.0800 𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝑚𝑔𝛥ℎ
0.0600
0.0400 So, the total work done is actually equal to the
0.0200 gravitational potential energy.
0.0000
Algebraically, we can simplify say that 𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝑃𝐸𝑔 . By
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
application of trigonometry, we can derive the total work
formula the same with the PEg. Since,
Work-displacement graph where x is the 𝐿(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ) = h
displacement and the y is the work
In the result, it is obviously seen that % difference of
F=0.392 N
total work we had calculated from PEg is big. It is
Displacement Work
because there are many ways of committing a mistake
0.1 m 0.0392 J in this part. Some of these factors are:
0.3 m 0.1176 J
Time Work Power  measuring the angle
0.1614 s 0.0392 J 0.2429  determining the height
0.3192 s 0.1176 J 0.2456  assumption in determining the center of gravity
of the object
Power can be obtained using the work we had obtained.
 applying a extremely “horizontal force”
Through its definition, power can be expressed as work
per change in time.
The y-component of the tension doesn’t affect work
done by force. It only changes the direction of the mass.
We should expect that the power is constant. It is
because the fan cart is moving at a constant velocity These uncertainties have greatly affected the ideal result
and a constant force. It can be proven by the equation which makes the data unreliable. To minimize this, I
8, 𝑷 = ⃑⃑⃑𝑭 . 𝒗
⃑ = 𝑭𝒗𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝜽) where the angle is equal to suggest that maybe we could use a more symmetrical
zero. object (a cylinder, maybe) instead of what has been
used in the experiment. We also need a stand or an
For the second part, error may all come from human adjusting table where spring balance can be laid while
assumptions such as measuring. For an error cause by pulling to assure we are applying a horizontal force.
measuring the angle, we could make:
The graph of Δh-PEg and Δh-Work is compared below:
𝑊𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = 𝑤𝑅[cos(𝜃 + 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦) − co s(𝜃)]

If we had for example, Trial 1, we have measured 370,

but if the real value is 390, then, change in work is:

𝑊𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = (𝟒. 𝟗𝑵)(𝟎. 𝟐𝟑𝒎)(−𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟏) = −𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝑱

Even for varying force and even for a curve path of

motion, work-energy theorem is still applicable.
 0.900 w = 4.9 N L = 0.23 m
0.800 y = 4.9x Trial Angle Work %Diff with PEg
0.700 1 37 0.22 30%
0.600 2 50 0.39 33%
0.500
PEg

0.400 The total force we had applied in the object is

0.300 transformed into potential energy as it stops at a higher
0.200 height.
0.100
0.000 As additional information, the work done by tension in
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 this part is zero, while the work done by gravity is the
Change in height same as with the work done by the force but in negative
sign.

The Δh-PEg graph is linear which has an equation
of y=4.9x which means that the slope of the
graph is the mass of the object.
As height of object increases, higher potential energy it
restores. With each unit increase in height, work is done
against force of gravity and equal amount of energy is
stored. Potential energy of an object at the earth's
surface is not zero.
When a body moves away from the earth (i.e increases
its vertical distance from the surface of the earth), it has
to do work against the gravitational field which pulls the
body towards the earth. This work done by the body
against the gravitational field is stored as the potential
energy of the body. Therefore as we go higher from the
surface of the earth the potential energy of our body
increases.
CONCLUSION
The experiment aims to determine the power of the fan
cart by using the definition of work and the energy
conservation principle. The other objective is also to
compute work for a motion along a curved path.
I conclude that work is related to power. Power can be
determined using work by considering the time. It is
from its definition that power is the rate of doing work at
specific displacement.
The work has linear relation with displacement. If we
increase the displacement twice, work is also increasing
twice.
For a horizontal path, power of a certain body moving
along this path is constant. If it leveled, example, going
up stairs, it may vary because of the influence of gravity.

Our graph of Δh-Work is really different from the ideal It is best to hold the fan cart first before allowing it to
graph. To partially correct this huge error, linear move because by doing this, we are letting the fan to
trendline is used. The slope of this (5.01) is somewhat generate its natural force.
similar to the original equation (4.9).
Force which is parallel to displacement is doing the
maximum work. On the other hand, the force cannot
0.80 affect work if force is perpendicular to displacement.
0.70 y = 5.0148x - 0.1138
0.60 I conclude that energy appearing in various forms like
0.50 for example, mechanical energy, is conserved. It can be
Work

0.40 transformed from one form to another. It is known as

0.30 the law of conservation of energy.
0.20
The total work done of an object is merely the change in
0.10
kinetic energy or change in potential energy.
0.00
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 As object moves away from earth surface, the work
Change in height needed to do this against gravitational force is then
stored or converted as potential energy.

w = 4.9 N I also conclude that at circular path, work-energy

Trial Change in height PEg theorem can still be applied. It is a proof that the total
1 0.065 0.319 work done to raise an object is equivalent to
2 0.12 0.588 gravitational potential energy restored. Aside from work-
energy theorem, law of conservation of mechanical
energy can prove total work is equal to PEg.
The use of the method in first part of the experiment will
give you accurate result. In oppose to the second, which
may give us unreliable data. It is due to second part has
many measuring steps, which leads us to make
assumptions and uncertainties.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank, first my group mates, for allowing
me to join with them in performing the experiment.
Without them, I can’t do this work alone.
I also want to thank our professor for introducing us the
topic for us to have an idea regarding the experiment.
Aside from that, I want to acknowledge the lab assistant
who trust us and let us borrow the apparatuses and for
orienting us for proper care of those.
I would also like to thank the author of our current text
book, because of all the ideas it had imparted to me
regarding the experiment as well as some hints of what
to write in this laboratory report.
Seriously, I want to acknowledge our school Main
Library, particularly the Internet Section, for allowing
writing or typing there my lab reports and surfing the
net for free. Without this privilege, I will not be able to
write all my ideas in the lab report, since I don’t want to
stay at computer shop near our house.
And finally, I would like to thank my family for
supporting me all the time in my studies, who are
encouraging me to pursue my dreams, and taking care
of me all of the time. They are the most valuable thing I
ever had.
REFERENCES
[1] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/catapult
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_catapult
[3] http://www.edinformatics.com/math_science/work_
en ergy_power.htm
[4] hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/work.html
[5] Young, H., Freedman, R., University Physics with
Modern Physics, 11th Edition, 2004
[6] http://www.mathsrevision.net/alevel/pages.php?
page=93
[7] http://www.launc.tased.edu.au/online/sciences/Phys
Sci/ done/kinetics/wep/Work.htm
[8] http://teacher.pas.rochester.edu/PHY_LABS/Appen
dixB/AppendixB.html
FREE SPACE
Rated K has featured some Math wizard in the
Philippines. One of them is Mang Ricardo who can be
able to determine the day of any date. He can solve it by
mind in just a few seconds. So, I wonder what is the
formula for that. According to
http://mathforum.org/dr/math/faq/faq.calendar.html, it
can be solved by two different methods. One of these
method is the Zeller’s Rule.
Zeller's Rule
The following formula is named Zeller's Rule after a
Reverend Zeller. [x] means the greatest integer that is
smaller than or equal to x. You can find this number by
just dropping everything after the decimal point. For
example, [3.79] is 3. Here's the formula:
f = k + [(13*m-1)/5] + D + [D/4] + [C/4] - 2*C.
 k is the day of the month.
 m is the month number. Months have to be
counted specially for Zeller's Rule: March is 1,
April is 2, and so on to February, which is 12.
(This makes the formula simpler, because on
leap years February 29 is counted as the last
day of the year.) Because of this rule, January
and February are always counted as the 11th
and 12th months of the previous year. In our
example, m = 11.
 D is the last two digits of the year. Because in
our example we are using January (see previous
bullet) D = 63 even though we are using a date
from 2064.
 C stands for century: it's the first two digits of
the year. In our case, C = 20.
Now let's substitute our example numbers into the
formula.
f = k + [(13*m-1)/5] + D + [D/4] + [C/4] - 2*C
= 29 + [(13*11-1)/5] + 63 + [63/4] + [20/4] -
2*20
= 29 + [28.4] + 63 + [15.75] + [5] - 40
= 29 + 28 + 63 + 15 + 5 - 40
= 100.
A remainder of 0 corresponds to Sunday, 1 means
Monday, etc. For our example, 100 / 7 = 14, remainder
2, so January 29, 2064 will be a Tuesday.
I’m so amazed that he can compute it mentally if he was
using this formula. Great! 