12

General Physics 1
Quarter 1 –Module 26
Work, Energy and Power in Context
Science – Grade 12

Quarter 1 – Week 7 – Module 26: Work, Energy and Power in Context

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Rachel D. Lee

Editors: Benjie L. Cadag

Voltaire G. Furio
Alex Barrameda
Edgardo J. Bungcag

Reviewers: Benjie L. Cadag

Voltaire G. Furio
Alex Barrameda
Edgardo J. Bungcag

Language Editor: Jonnalyn N. Jalmasco

Layout Artist: Ma. Rachel B. Espino, Antonio L. Morada

 Solve problems involving work, energy,
and power in contexts such as, but not
limited to, bungee jumping, design of
roller-coasters, number of people required
to build structures such as the Great
Pyramids and the rice terraces; power and
energy requirements of
human activities such as sleeping vs.
sitting vs. standing, running vs. walking.
(STEM_GP12WE-Ihi-55)
 Work, Energy and Power in Context

Work, Energy and Power are terms that we usually encounter in our everyday life. It’s
interesting though that these terms may mean differently in the context of Physics. It is also
interesting that these words is arguably the most used terms in classical physics.
Work is defined as the dot product of force and the displacement it gives an object.
Energy is given the definition as the ability to do work. In this module, you will be dealing with
kinetic and potential energy. Power on the other hand is described as the rate of doing work.
In this module, you will analyze several situations by applying your understanding about these
concepts.

Source: https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/metals/the-roller-coaster-thrill-provided-by-steel/

At the end of the module, you should be able to

• describe the relationship between work and

energy;

• differentiate conservative and

nonconservative forces;

• analyze situations where mechanical energy

is either conserved or not; and

• calculate for work, energy or power in given

word problems.

1
 PRETEST

I. Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. A girl carries a heavy box quickly up a flight of stairs. A boy of the same weight
carries the same box slowly up the flight of stairs. Which statement is true?
a. The girl did less work than the boy c. The girl has less power than the boy
b. The girl did more work than the boy d. The girl has more power than the boy
2. A 20-kg box falls from a bridge that is 50-m high. What is the Potential energy of
the box after it travelled 35 meters downward?
a. 2940 J b. 3920 J c. 6860 J d. 9800 J
3. A 4-kg object I is placed 3 m from the ground; another
object II with a mass of 2 kg is placed on a height of
6 m. Which of the following statements is true?
a. The 4kg object has greater potential energy
b. The 2kg object has greater potential energy
c. The two objects have the same potential energy
d. The potential energy of the two objects are Source: https://silo.tips/download/work-power-energy-
multiple-choice-psi-physics-multiple-choice-questions

incomparable.
4. What happens to the body on which work is done?
a. It loses energy c. No change in the energy
b. It gains energy d. First, it loses then it gains
5. If there an object has a kinetic energy, it must also have __________.
a. Speed b. Acceleration c. Force d. Impulse

II. Direction: Write T is the statement is correct and F if the statement is incorrect.

1. Kinetic energy is a vector quantity.

2. The total mechanical energy does not change non conservative forces act on an
object.
3. Doing the same amount of work in less time requires a greater power output.
4. A force acting perpendicular to an object’s displacement does negative work.
5. The gravitational potential energy of a moving object is always zero.

2
 Work Mode: On or Off?
You have already discussed about work in previous
ELICIT modules where you found that work = Fdcosθ. Using this
definition of work, determine whether work is done in the
following situations and explain why you say so. If there is
work done, identify which does the work.

1. A crate rests on a stationary truck. Is there work done on

the crate? Explain.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

2. The truck moves forward but the acceleration is not

enough to make the crate slide forward. Is there work done
on the crate? Explain.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

3. The truck moves forward with enough acceleration to

make the crate slide forward. Is there work done on the
crate? Explain.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

4. A man holds the crate in the air while the truck moves
forward. The movement of the truck is slow enough that the
man does not slide forward. Is there work done on the crate?
Explain.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

5. A man pushes the crate forward as the truck moves

forward. is there work done on the crate? Explain.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Image Source: https://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/question-2-box-rests-top-flat-bed-truck-box-

mass-m-18-kg-coefficient-static-friction-box-t-q4298608

3
 Energy-zer
You have also already discussed about energy
being the capacity to do work. Energy is neither created
nor destroyed, it is simply transferred or transformed. In
previous modules you dealt with mechanical energy
(ME) as the total of potential energy (PE) and kinetic
energy (KE). This is written as:
ME = PE + KE where
PEg = magh m = mass ag = acceleration due to gravity
1
KE = mv2 h = height v = velocity
2

Analyze the illustration of a block at different points of its path as it freely slides down a ramp.
Fill in the missing values.

Source: Hewitt, Paul G. Conceptual Physics Practice Book, 10th Edition. Illinois: Pearson Education Inc., 2006.

1. Let’s say you have a block that has twice the mass of the block in the illustration. How
high should you put it to have the same PE as the block in the illustration before sliding
down the ramp?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. Compare the velocity of your block in number 1 just before it hits the floor to the velocity
of the block in the illustration at the same position.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. NASA once again invited the public to have
their names sent to Mars on a future
mission. It will be a while before human
could ever inhabit Mars however, if
astronauts can make the same experiment
as that in the illustration, what will be the
value of the PE at the top of the ramp? https://attracttour.com/2020/07/trending-nasa-send-your-
𝑚 name-to-mars-steps-how-to-join/
(NOTE: acceleration due to gravity on mars is 3.72 2 on the average while acceleration
𝑠
𝑚
due to gravity on earth is 9.8 2).
𝑠
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

4
 Work and Energy
You’re doing a great job!
Now let us explore the concepts of work and energy even
further. These concepts are actually related to each other.
The Work – Energy Theorem actually states that the net
work (Wnet) done on an object is equal to its change in
kinetic energy. This is expressed in the equation below
Wnet = ΔKE = KEf – KEi = ½mvf2 - ½mvi2
where Wnet is the net work ΔKE is the change in kinetic energy m = mass
KEf = final kinetic energy KEi = initial kinetic energy
vf = final velocity vi = initital velocity
Let’s use the concepts discussed in analyzing the sample problem below.

A 75-kg man tries bungee jumping

for the very first time. The bungee
cord when unstretched is 20 meters.
He jumps off a bridge spanning over
a river from a height of 55 meters.
After some time, the bungee cord
reaches the maximum stretch of 45
meters. Assume that the air
Source: https://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/objectives--
resistance and the mass of the cord identify-potential-kinetic-energy-situation-draw-corresponding-energy-bar-char-q11715135
are negligible.
A. How much work is done on the man?
B. What is the velocity of the man just before it stops momentarily when the bungee cord
is at its maximum stretch?
Let’s analyze and solve.
a. The fall is a linear motion. As the man falls, his PE also changes.
PEg = magh
ΔPEg = maghf - maghi = magΔh
Remember that w = Fdcosθ. Now F= mag and the Δh is the displacement. Since it is a
linear motion, cosθ = 1.
∴ ΔPEg = maghf - maghi = magΔh = Fd = work done
So we can now solve for the work done.

Given:
m=75kg ag= 9.8m/s2 hi=55m hf=55m-45m=10m
Required: W
Solution:
W = magΔh = mag(hf-hi) = (75kg)(9.8m/s2)(10m-55m) = -33, 075J
Note: Negative work means loss of energy. Since we are dealing with PE this means
that as the man falls, his PE decreases.

5
 b. Remember that Wnet = ΔKE = KEf – KEi = ½mvf2 - ½mvi2
Also, since the man is not moving at the top, KEi is 0, therefore Wnet = KEf = ½mvf2
2𝑊
From the equation, we get that vf = √
𝑚
Given:
m=75kg Wnet = 33, 075J
Required: vf
Solution:
2 (33,075𝐽)
vf = √ = 29.70 m/s
75𝑘𝑔

Now, give it a try.

Suppose the next tourist to try bungee jumping from the same bridge in the previous
problem is a 65-kg man. The bungee cord also reaches the maximum stretch of 45 meters.
Assume that the air resistance and the mass of the cord are negligible. Find:
a. Work done on the man
b. His velocity just before stopping momentarily at the maximum stretch of the bungee
cord.
Remember to show your complete solution.

a. Work done on the man

b. Velocity at the lowest point of the drop

6
 Conservative vs. Nonconservative Forces
You are doing great!
Based on our discussions and activities, work is caused
by a non-zero net force that moves an object to a certain
displacement. Forces can either be conservative or
nonconservative.
Let’s look at the comparison of these forces below

Conservative Force Nonconservative Force

Work done is independent of the path Work done depends upon the path
Work done in a closed path is zero Work done in a closed path is not zero
Total energy remains constant Energy is dissipated as heat energy
Work done is completely recoverable Work done is not completely recoverable
Force is the negative gradient of potential A potential energy function cannot be
energy defined
Gravitational force, magnetic force,
Friction, air resistance, tension, applied
electrostatic force and elastic force are
force are examples of this.
examples of this.
Source: http://www.brainkart.com/article/Conservative-and-non-conservative-forces_34555/
In normal situations, both conservative and nonconservative forces act simultaneously on an
object so the net work done is given by
Wnet = Wc + Wnc
Remember:
Wnet = ΔKE (from the Work – Energy Theorem)
Wc = - ΔPE (Wc comes from a loss of gravitational potential energy)

So we get ΔKE = - ΔPE + Wnc

Therefore, Wnc = ΔKE + ΔPE

Wnc = (KEf – KEi) + (PEf – PEi) = (½mvf2 - ½mvi2) + (maghf – maghi)

Let’s try to solve the sample problem below.

Source: https://www.uwgb.edu/fenclh/problems/energy/2/

An 850 kg roller coaster is released from rest at Point A of the track shown in the figure.
Assume there is no friction or air resistance between Points A and C. What average force is
required to bring the roller coaster to a stop at Point D if the brakes are applied at Point C?

7
Let us analyze.
You are asked to find stopping force given stopping distance of 120m. In other words,
you want to find how much force is required to convert the roller-coaster’s kinetic energy into
heat and sound in a given distance.
Given:
m = 850kg vi=0 hi=140m vf=0 hf=80m
ag = 9.8m/s 2
d = 120m θ = 180 O

Required: stopping force

Solution:
Wnc = (KEf – KEi) + (PEf – PEi) = (½mvf2 - ½mvi2) + (maghf – maghi)
Wnc = Fdcosθ
Fdcosθ = (½mvf2 - ½mvi2) + (maghf – maghi)
Fdcosθ = ½m(vf2 - vi2)+ mag (hf – hi) = ½m(0)+ mag (hf – hi)
𝑚 𝑎𝑔 (ℎ𝑓− ℎ𝑖 ) (850𝑘𝑔)(9.8𝑚/𝑠 2 )(80𝑚−140𝑚)
F= = = 4165 N
𝑑𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 (120𝑚)(𝑐𝑜𝑠180°)

Your turn. Solve the problem below. Make sure to show your complete solution.

Source: https://www.uwgb.edu/fenclh/problems/energy/2/

Suppose the roller coaster passes point A with a speed of 2 m/s. How much work must be
done by friction to bring the roller coaster to a stop at point D if the break is applied at point
C?

Given:

Required:
Solution:

8
 Power Up
This time, let us look into another quantity that is
related to both work and energy – power. In physics,
power is defined as the rate of doing work. In symbols,
it is written as
𝑊
P=
𝑡

where: P = power W = work done t = time at which work is done

𝑑
Since work can also be defined as Fd, we can rewrite this equation as P = F• . note that d/t
𝑡
is equal to velocity so power can also be written as P = Fv. Another way of writing this is in
𝛥𝐸
terms of energy. That is work done is ΔE therefore P = . Power is a scalar quantity. Its unit
𝑡
is W (watts) which is equal to J/s.
Let us practice!
One of the most impressive
structures built in the ancient word
that still stands today is the Great
Pyramid of Giza. It is estimated to be
built with 2.3 million blocks which is
believed to have been taken from a
quarry 800 km away. Each block
weighs approximately 2.5 tons. In
modern experiments, they found that
groups of 20 men can haul each
block from quarry to pyramid in
about 20 minutes. How much power
Source: https://www.bizsiziz.com/demystifying-the-egyptian-pyramids-
did the group of 20 men needed to
with-hard-facts/
take 1 block from quarry to
pyramid?(1ton = 907 kg, a = 9.8m/s2)
Given: Solution:
907 𝑘𝑔 Solve for the work done first. Note that the motion is
m = 2.5 tons x = 2, 267.5 kg
1 𝑡𝑜𝑛
1000𝑚 linear so cosθ = 1 thus, W=Fd.
d = 800km x = 800,000m
1𝑘𝑚
60𝑠
t = 20 min x = 1200 s W = Fd = mad = (2,267.5kg)(9.8m/s2)(800,000m)
1 𝑚𝑖𝑛
a = 9.8 m/s2 = 1.78 x 1010J
Required: Power 𝑊 1.78 𝑥 1010 𝐽
P= = = 1.48 x 107 Watts
𝑡 1200𝑠
Formula:
P = W/t

Now, try this!

Say at the cite of the pyramid, there are two workers lifting loads. It takes the first
worker 2 seconds to lift a 100-kg load a distance of 20 cm. The second worker lifts a 200-kg
load a distance of 15cm in 3 seconds. Which worker everts more power? Show your
complete solution.

9
 Work, Energy and Power in Humans
Our own bodies, like all living organisms, are
energy conversion machines. Conservation of energy
implies that the chemical energy stored in food is
converted into work, thermal energy, and/or stored as
chemical energy in fatty tissue. The fraction going into
each form depends both on how much we eat and on our
level of physical activity. If we eat more than is needed to do work and stay warm, the
remainder goes into body fat.
The rate at which the body uses food energy to sustain life and to do different activities
is called the metabolic rate. The total energy conversion rate of a person at rest is called
the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and is divided among various systems in the body. The BMR
is a function of age, gender, total body weight, and amount of muscle mass (which burns more
calories than body fat).
If a person needs more energy than they Energy
consume, the body must draw upon the chemical Activity consumption
energy stored in fat. So exercise can be helpful (Watts)
in losing fat. However, the amount of exercise Sleeping 83
needed to produce a loss in fat, or to burn off Sitting at rest 120
extra calories consumed that day, can be large.
Standing relaxed 125
Sitting in class 210
Let’s try analyzing the problem below: Walking (5 km/h) 280
Moderate Cycling (13–18 km/h) 400
If a person who normally requires an average of Shivering 425
12,000 kJ of food energy per day consumes Climbing stairs (116/min) 685
13,000 kJ per day, she will steadily gain weight.
Fast Cycling (21 km/h) 700
How much bicycling per day is required to work
Playing basketball 800
off this extra 1000 kJ?

To answer this, let’s say that the person does moderate cycling, that means
that the energy consumption is 400W.

Given: Solution:
ΔE = 1000kJ = 1.0 x 106J t= ΔE/P = 1.0 x 106J/400W = 2500s
P = 400 W
Required: Time
Equation:
t=W/t = ΔE/t

Now, try this!

How much cycling must she do if she does fast cycling?
Given: Solution:

Required:
Equation:

(Source:https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/7-8-work-energy-and-power-in-humans/ )

10
 POST TEST

I. Direction: Solve the following word problems. Show your complete solutions.
1. At the start of a roller coaster ride, the 1000-kg car experiences a horizontal
force which causes it to accelerate at 5m/s 2, moving it a distance of 20m,
horizontally. How much work is done by this force?
Given: Solution:

Required:
Equation:

2. Suppose a farmer tending a part of the rice terraces wants to bring two 100-kg
sack of fertilizer 10 meters up the terraces. He does this in two ways. These
two ways are shown in the illustration. What is the work done by the gravity in
both cases?

Method 1 Method 2
Source: https://www.brainkart.com/article/Solved-Example-Problems-for-Physics--Work,-Energy-and-Power_34576/
Given: Solution:

Required:
Equation:

3. Say a person does 6.00 x 106 J of useful work.

a. What is his power output if he does this work for 8 hours?
b. Working at this rate, how long will it take this person to lift 2000 kg of bricks
1.50 m to a platform? (Work done to lift his body can be omitted because it
is not considered useful output here.

Given: Solution:

Required:

Equation:

11
 The following terms used in this module are defined as
follows:

Conservative Force – is any force whose work is independent of the path of the object acted
upon
Energy – is the capacity to do work
Kinetic Energy – is energy in motion
Nonconservative Force – is any dissipative force that takes energy away from the system
Potential Energy – stored energy
Power – is the rate of doing work
Work – is the transfer of energy. It is the application of force over a distance.
Work – Energy Theorem – states that the net work done is equal to the change in kinetic
energy

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PRETEST
1. D 2. A 3. C 4. B 5. A
1. F 2. F 3. T 4. F 5. F

ELICIT
1. No work is done on the crate because there is no displacement.
2. No work is done on the crate because its displacement is not caused by the forces
acting on it.
3. Work is done because the net force acting on the crate causes it to move a certain
displacement.
4. No work is done on the crate because its displacement is not caused by the forces
acting on it.
5. Work is done on the crate by the man pushing it.

ENGAGE
PE = 75J KE = 25J PE = 25J

1
1. h or half the height of the box in the illustration
2
2. The velocity of the more massive block is slower than the less massive block.
If vA is the velocity of the original less massive block, and v B is the velocity of the more
massive block, we get
1 1
The KE of the blocks is given by KEA = mAvA2 KEB = mBvB2
2 2
Note that KEA = KEB and 2mA = mB
1 1
Therefore mAvA2 = (2mA)vB2
2 2
1 2
vA = vB2
2
vB = 0.71vA
3. Note that PE = mgh on Earth at the top of the ramp is 75J. Therefore, mh = 7.65kg•m.
𝑚
PEM = mhg = (7.65kg•m)(3.72 2) = 28.46 J
𝑠

EXPLORE
Given:
m=65kg ag= 9.8m/s2 hi=55m hf=55m-45m=10m
Required: W
Solution:
W = magΔh = mag(hf-hi) = (65kg)(-9.8m/s2)(10m-55m) = - 28, 665 J

13
 a. Remember that Wnet = ΔKE = KEf – KEi = ½mvf2 - ½mvi2
Also, since the man is not moving at the top, KEi is 0, therefore Wnet = KEf = ½mvf2
2𝑊
From the equation, we get that vf = √
𝑚
Given:
m=65kg Wnet = 28, 665 J
Required: vf
Solution:
2 (28,665𝐽)
vf = √ = 29.70 m/s
65𝑘𝑔

EXPLAIN
Given:
m = 850kg vi=2 m/s hi=140m vf=0
hf=80m ag = 9.8m/s2 d = 120m θ = 180O
Required: Wnc
Solution:
Wnc = (KEf – KEi) + (PEf – PEi) = (½mvf2 - ½mvi2) + (maghf – maghi)
Wnc = (½mvf2 - ½mvi2) + (maghf – maghi)
Wnc = ½m(vf2 - vi2)+ mag (hf – hi)
= ½(850kg)(0 – (2m/s)2)+ (850kg)(9.8m/s2)(80m – 140m)
= - 1700 J + - 499800 J
= -501, 500 J or -5.02 x 105 J
ELABORATE
Given: Solution:
Worker 1 Solve for the power of each worker.
m1 = 100 kg
1𝑚 𝑊1 𝑚1 𝑎1 𝑑1 (100𝑘𝑔)(9.8𝑚/𝑠 2 )(0.2𝑚)
d1 = 20cm x = 0.2m P1 = = = = 98W
100𝑐𝑚 𝑡1 𝑡1 2𝑠
t1 = 2s
a = 9.8m/s2 𝑊2 𝑚2 𝑎2 𝑑2 (200𝑘𝑔)(9.8𝑚/𝑠 2 )(0.15𝑚)
P2 = = = = 98W
Worker 2 𝑡2 𝑡2 3𝑠
m2 = 200 kg
1𝑚
d2 = 15cm x = 0.15m
100𝑐𝑚
Worker 1 and worker 2 exert the same amount of
t2 = 3s
power.
a = 9.8m/s2
Required: comparison of power
exerted
Formula:
P = W/t

14
EXTEND

Given: Solution:
ΔE = 1000kJ = 1.0 x 106J t= ΔE/P = 1.0 x 106J/700W = 1428.57s
P = 700 W
Required: Time
Equation:
t=W/t = ΔE/t

EVALUATE
1. Given: Solution:
m = 1000kg cosθ = 1 W = mad = (1000kg)(5m/s2)(20m)
a = 5m/s2 = 100,000 J or 1x105J
d = 20 m
Required: Work

Equation: W=Fd = mad

2. Given: Solution:
Method 1 Method 2 Method 1
m = 100kg m = 100 kg W=(100kg)(9.8m/s2)(10m) = 9800 J
a = 9.8m/s2 a = 9.8m/s2
d = 10 m θ = 30O Method 2
Required: Work Solve for the length of the travelled.
𝑜𝑝𝑝 𝑜𝑝𝑝 10𝑚
Equation: W=Fd = mad sinθ = hyp = = = 20m
ℎ𝑦𝑝 𝑠𝑖𝑛30 0.5
Since force is done at an angle, F=masinθ
F=(100kg)(9.8m/s2)(sin30) = 490N
W=Fd= (490N)(20m)= 9800 J

3. Given: Solution:
For a For a
W = 6.00 x 106J 𝑊 6000000𝐽
P= = = 208.33 W
3600𝑠 𝑡 28800𝑠
t = 8h x = 28,800s
1ℎ
For b
For b 𝑚𝑎𝑑 (2000𝑘𝑔)(9.8𝑚/𝑠 2 )(1.5𝑚)
t= = = 141.12s
m = 2000 kg 𝑃 208.33𝑊
d = 1.5m
a = 9.8 m/s2
Required:
a. Power
b. time
Equation:
a. P = W/t
𝑚𝑎𝑑
b. t = W/P =
𝑃

15
 REFERENCES

https://physics.ucf.edu/~lc/ch06-chow.pdf
http://images.pcmac.org/SiSFiles/Schools/VA/TazewellSD/GrahamHigh/Uploads/Presentatio
ns/Holt_Physics_Chapter_5.pdf
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/7-4-conservative-forces-and-potential-
energy/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/7-5-nonconservative-
forces/#:~:text=Forces%20are%20either%20conservative%20or,depends%20on%20the%20
path%20taken.&text=Less%20work%20is%20done%20and,the%20path%20in%20(b).
https://bpi.edu/ourpages/auto/2019/1/7/43859809/work%20energy%20practice%20quiz%20
answers.pdf

16