General Physics 1| Module 3 1

Saint Columban College

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
7016 Pagadian City

S T U D E N T ’ S L E A R N I N G M O D U L E

Student’s Name: ___________________________ Date: ____________________

Grade & Section:______________ Subject: _________________

Content Standard:
The learners demonstrate an understanding of:
✓ Dot or scalar product
✓ Work done by a force
✓ Work-energy relation
✓ Kinetic energy
✓ Power
✓ Conservative and non-conservative forces
✓ Gravitational potential energy
✓ Elastic potential energy
✓ Equilibria and potential energy diagrams
✓ Energy Conservation, Work, and Power Problems

Learning Competencies:
✓ Calculate the dot or scalar product of vectors to solve for work.
✓ Determine the work done by a force (not necessarily constant) acting on a system.
✓ Define work as scalar or dot product of force and displacement.
✓ Interpret the work done by a force in one dimension as an area under a force versus position
curve.
✓ Relate the gravitational potential energy of a system or object to the configuration of the
system.
✓ Relate the elastic potential energy of a system or object to the configuration of the system.
✓ Explain the properties and effects of conservative forces.
✓ Solve problems involving work, energy, and power.
Learning Contents:
IV. Kinematics: Motion in Two Dimensions
Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration for Motions in Two Dimensions and Three
Dimensions
Projectile Motion, Circular Motion, and Relative Motion

V. Newton’s Laws of Motion and their Applications

Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
 General Physics 1| Module 3 2

Applications of Newton’s Laws of Motion

Applications of Newton’s Laws to Single-body and Multibody Dynamics

Learning Resources:
1. Caintic, H. (2017). General Physics I for Senior High School. Quezon City, Philippines:
C&E Publishing Inc.
2. David, O. (2020). General Physics 1 (Second ed.). Makati City, Philippines: DIWA
LEARNING SYSTEMS INC
3. Young, H.D., Freedman, R.A., & Ford, A.L. (2011). University Physics (13th ed.). San
Francisco California: Pearson Education Inc.

Core Values:
➢ Determination ➢ Patience
➢ Open-mindedness ➢ Scientific Intuition
➢ Objectivity

Panagdait sa Diyos ug sa Tanang Kabuhatan!

Welcome to the third module of General Physics 1. In
this module, you will learn about one important form
of energy called kinetic energy, or energy of motion,
and how it relates to the concept of work. We’ll also
consider power, which is the time rate of doing work,
then expand the ideas of work and kinetic energy
into deeper understanding of the concepts of energy,
and the conservation of energy. If you have any
inquiries, please refer from the contact information
provided below.

THE SCIENCE TEACHERS

Ms. Cherry A. Potestas, LPT, M.A.
Biological Science
Science Laboratory Coordinator

FB Profile Link:
https://www.facebook.com/cherry.potestas

Email: potestascherry25@sccpag.edu.ph

Contact #: 09661526252
 General Physics 1| Module 3 3

Ms. Quennie S. Broca

General Physics/Physical Science
STEM 11 Coordinator

FB Profile Link:
https://www.facebook.com/quennie.broca.5/

Email: quenieebroca@sccpag.edu.ph

Contact #: 09563304989

Ms. Ivy Banquiao

General Chemistry

FB Profile Link:
https://www.facebook.com/ivy.banquiao

Email: ivyestanerobanquiao@gmail.com

Contact #: 09639777019

Mr. Mark Lyndon Borongan

General Physics

FB Profile Link:
https://www.facebook.com/mathcomborongan

Email: markborongan.gs@sccpag.edu.ph

Contact #: 09317179056
 General Physics 1| Module 3 4

Module No. 3.1 Work, Energy, And Energy

Conservation
Time Frame: 2 weeks

Lesson 3.1.1: Work and Its Relation to Energy

Learning Targets: At the end of the lesson, I can:

✓ Calculate the dot or scalar product of vectors to solve for work;
✓ Determine the work done by a force (not necessarily constant) acting on a
system;
✓ Define work as a scalar or dot product of force and displacement; and
✓ Interpret the work done by a force in one dimension as an area under a force
versus position curve.

We do work on a bally by throwing it. When we do so, we are transforming chemical

energy which we obtained from food into energy of motion of the ball. We do work on an object
when we lift it since we bring the object away from the Earth’s surface. The heavier the object or
the higher we lift it, the more work is accomplished. Two things enter into every case where work
is done: the exertion of a force and the movement of that certain object by the given force.

❖ Dot or Scalar Product of Vectors

We can get the product of vector quantities with a scalar. This is called dot or scalar
product. Dot or scalar product is an important concept in physics because it is used to solve for
physical quantities. One of these qualities is work. Dot or scalar product can quantitatively define
the work done in a system. Thus, one must learn how to get the scalar product of vectors.

If we have two or more physical quantities, we can add or subtract them only if they have
the same dimensions. It will be meaningless to say that we can add vectors of different kinds, say
velocity and acceleration. However, we can combine vectors of different kinds by multiplication
to yield a quantity of new dimension. The first kind of vector multiplication is the multiplication
of a vector by a scalar, c. This results to a new vector in the same direction as the original vector
but whose magnitude has been changed c times. Dividing a vector by a scalar c is simply
multiplying the vector by the reciprocal of c.

Given vectors A and B, the scalar product of these two vectors, written 𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 (read as A
dot B), is defined as 𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 = 𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃, where A is the magnitude of A, B is the magnitude of B,
and 𝜃 is the smaller angle between the two vectors.
 General Physics 1| Module 3 5

The equation can be written as

𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃 = 𝐴(𝐵 cos 𝜃 ) or

𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃 = 𝐵(𝐴 cos 𝜃 )

It can be recognized that the right-hand sides of the equations are the magnitude of A times
the magnitude of the projection of B on A, and the magnitude of B times the magnitude of the
projection of A on B, respectively. In the dot product, we start with two vectors and end up with a
scalar quantity whose dimension is the product of the dimensions of the two original vectors.

What happens when a vector quantity is multiplied by another vector quantity? The product
is called the vector product or cross product. This is a different concept from a scalar product.
This is also a useful concept in solving for work.

❖ Work in Physics

When we exert a force to move on object in a straight line in the direction of the force, we
do work on the object. The work done on the object by the applied force is defined as the product
of the force, F, and the displacement, d, through which the object is moved. In mathematical form,
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑.

Work can be categorized into two: (1) work done to change the speed of an object and (2)
work done against another force. In the first category, one example is the work done in changing
the speed of the car. We either speed it up or slow it down. In the second category, one example is
what an archer does on a bow. When he stretches the string of the bow, work is done against the
elastic forces of the string. Another example is when the ram of a pile driver is raised; work is
done against the force of gravity/ When we do pushups, we do work against our own weight. We
accomplish work on something when we exert a force to move it against the influence of an
opposing force.

If a man is moving a crate along a horizontal plane, we say that he is doing work. He does
work only if there is movement against an opposing force. The opposing force, in this case, can be
friction. In lifting an object, the opposing force is gravitational force on the object. When we exert
 General Physics 1| Module 3 6

a force to draw the string of an arrow, the opposing force we are working against is the elastic
force of the strong of the bow. When we push something with a stronger force or move it at a
longer distance, we will do more work. As we have discussed before,

𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒, 𝑊 = 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 (𝑁𝑒𝑤𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠) × 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 (𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠)

where the displacement used must be the distance moved in the direction of the force. If the force
is in Newton (𝑁) and the displacement is in meter (𝑚), work is then measured in joules (J). One
joule (1 𝐽) of work is done when a force of 1 𝑁 moves through a displacement of 1 𝑚 in the
direction of the force.

Examples

1. A stevedore lifts a cargo of 10 kg from the floor to a truck 1.2 m high. How much work is
done by the stevedore?

Given: 𝑚 = 10 𝑘𝑔

𝑑 = 1.2 𝑚

Required to find: work done, 𝑊

Solution:

The opposing force 𝐹 is the weight of the load.

𝐹 = 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝑚𝑔 = 10 𝑘𝑔 (9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 ) = 98 𝑁

The work done, 𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑

𝑊 = 98 𝑁 (1.2 𝑚) = 117.6 𝐽

2. Trigo pushes his box of toys against a frictional force of 0.5 𝑁 for a distance of 5 meters.
How much work does he do?
Given: 𝐹𝑓 = 0.5 𝑁
𝑑 = 5𝑚
Required to find: work done by Trigo against friction
Solution:
The force exerted by Trigo to push the box is equal in magnitude but opposite in
direction to the frictional force he worked against, 𝐹𝑓 .
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑓 𝑑 = 0.5 𝑁 (5 𝑚) = 2.5 𝐽
 General Physics 1| Module 3 7

❖ Work as a Scalar or Dot Product of Force and Displacement

Work is a scalar quantity which is characterized only by a magnitude and a sign. To solve
for it, the force vector 𝐹 and displacement vector 𝑑 must be multiplied. When we multiply these
two vectors, 𝐹 and 𝑑, we obtain a scalar quantity, work.

Let us consider two vectors A and B as shown in Figure 1 below. The two vectors are
separated by an angle 𝜃.

Figure 1 Vectors A and B separated by an angle 𝜃

The dot product of A and B is defined in terms of the magnitude of A and B as 𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 =

𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃, which reads as 𝐴 ∙ 𝐵. It is clear that we can write it as 𝐴(𝐵 cos 𝜃 ) 𝑜𝑟 𝐵(𝐴 cos 𝜃 ). This
suggests that the dot product can be regarded as the product of the magnitude of one vector and
the component of the other in the direction of the first. The magnitudes A and B are always
positive. But the dot product may be positive, negative, or zero depending on the value of the angle
𝜃.

So, if A and B are perpendicular to one another, the dot product is zero. The order of the
vectors in the dot product is not important, that is 𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 = 𝐵 ∙ 𝐴. Note that the product of the
magnitude of the vector itself is just the squared magnitude of the vector, 𝐴 ∙ 𝐴 = 𝐴2 or 𝐵 ∙ 𝐵 =
𝐵2.

The properties of the dot product exactly match the properties of work. Remember that we
define it as

𝑊 =𝐹∙𝑑

We can write the vectors A and B in terms of their components:

𝐴 = 𝐴𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘

𝐵 = 𝐵𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘

Then, the dot product is

𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧
 General Physics 1| Module 3 8

So work is a scalar and can be written as 𝑊 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑.

Work can be done only when a force is exerted on a body, while the body at the same time
moves in such a way that the force has a component along the line of motion. The illustrations in
Figure 2 below show different cases of work being done on an object.

Figure 2 Work done in different cases

 General Physics 1| Module 3 9

Examples
1. A crate is moved 2 𝑚 along a horizontal floor at a constant speed by a force of 50 𝑁 which
makes an angle of 30° above the horizontal. How much work is done on the crate by the
force?

Given: 𝐹 = 50 𝑁
𝑑 = 2𝑚
𝜃 = 30°
Required to find: 𝑊
Solution:
𝑊 = 𝐹 (cos 𝜃 )𝑑 = 50 𝑁 cos 30° (2 𝑚)
𝑾 = 𝟖𝟔. 𝟔𝟎 𝑱
2. A 200 𝑔 object is dragged 50 𝑐𝑚 upward with a uniform velocity along a plane inclined
30° with the horizontal by a force parallel to the incline. The coefficient of kinetic friction
between the object and the plane is 0.25. (a) How much work is done by the applied force?
(b) What is the total work done on the object by the different forces acting on it?
Given: 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠, 𝑚 = 200 𝑔
𝜇𝑘 = 0.25
Required to find: (a) work done by the applied force
(b) the total work done on the object by the different forces acting on it
Solution: Draw first the free-body diagram of the body.

(a) 𝑊 = 𝐹𝐴 (cos 30°)𝑑

𝐹𝐴 − 𝐹𝑓 − 𝐹𝑔 sin 30° = 0
 General Physics 1| Module 3 10

where
𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔 cos 30° = 0.25 (1.96 𝑁)(0.866)
𝐹𝑓 = 0.424 𝑁
𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔 = 0.2 𝑘𝑔 (9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 ) = 1.96 𝑁
𝐹𝐴 = 𝐹𝑓 + 𝐹𝑔 sin 30°
𝐹𝐴 = 0.424 𝑁 + 1.96 𝑁 (0.5) = 1.404 𝑁
1𝑚
𝑊 = 1.404 𝑁 (0.866) (50 𝑐𝑚 × 100 𝑚)

𝑊 = 1.404 𝑁 (0.866)(0.5 𝑚) = 0.61 𝐽

(b) 𝑊𝑓 = 𝐹𝑓 (cos 30°)(0.5 𝑚) = 0.424 𝑁 (0.866)(0.5 𝑚) = 0.184 𝐽
𝑊𝑔 = 0.61 𝐽 − 0.184 𝐽 = 0.426 𝐽

❖ Work Done by a Varying Force: Area Under the Force Versus

Position Curve
In our previous discussion, we considered just the work done by a constant force.
However, most of the time, when we are doing work, the force we exert on a body varies in
magnitude and direction during the displacement of the body on which it is acting. An example of
this case is a stretching spring. When we hang a load to a spring, it slowly stretches because the
stretching force is increases as the spring elongates. If that is the case, how are we going to
calculate the work done when the force acting on the body varies?
The work done by a varying force can be calculated by using a method in calculus
called integration. However, it is more useful and interesting to use the graphical method of
finding the work done by a variable force.
Let us suppose that we plot the components 𝐹 cos 𝜃 of the force 𝐹 parallel to the
displacement 𝑑. If 𝐹 cos 𝜃 is constant, we shall get the following graph.
 General Physics 1| Module 3 11

The work done by the force 𝐹 is just the area under the curve. Since 𝐹 (cos 𝜃 ) is
parallel to the displacement 𝑑, then
𝑊 = (𝐹 cos 𝜃 )(𝑑2 − 𝑑1 )
This is the area of the curve.
If 𝐹 (cos 𝜃 ) is a varying force, we shall get a curve in a graph of 𝐹 (cos 𝜃 ) versus
displacement, such as the curve in Figure 3 below.

Figure 3 The total work done is the sum of the shaded areas.

We can divide the curve into several strips and get the area for each segment. The
summation of these areas under the curve is equal to the total work done, or in equation form,
𝑊 = ∆𝑊1 + ∆𝑊2 + ⋯ + ∆𝑊𝑛
In stretching a spring, the force is 𝐹 = 𝑘𝑥 where 𝑘 us the spring constant. Since the
displacement and force are in the same direction, cos 𝜃 is equal to 1. The area of the curve of 𝐹
versus 𝑥 is a triangle whose base is 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥1 and altitude is 𝑘𝑥𝑓 , so the work done by the spring is
1 1
𝑊 = ( ) (𝑥𝑓 )(𝑘𝑥𝑓 ) = 𝑘𝑥𝑓 2
2 2
❖ Relationship Between Work Done by a Constant Force and the
Change in the Kinetic Energy of the System
We discussed work done by forces where the resultant force acting on the body is
zero. We will now consider the bodies where the resultant force is not equal to zero. Let us consider
an object of mass 𝑚 which is acted upon by a constant nonzero resultant force. See Figure 4 below
for the illustration.
 General Physics 1| Module 3 12

Figure 4 A body acted upon by a resultant force

If the object is moving with constant acceleration, we have

𝑣𝑓 2 −𝑣𝑖 2
𝑎= or 𝑣𝑓 2 − 𝑣𝑖 2 = 2𝑎𝑑
2𝑑

From the Newton’s second law of motion, we have

(𝑣𝑓 2 −𝑣𝑖 2 )
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 = 𝑚 2𝑑

which can be written as

(𝑣𝑓 2 −𝑣𝑖 2 )
𝐹∙𝑑 =𝑚 or
2𝑑
1 1
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 − 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2
1 1
𝑊 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 − 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2
1
but the kinetic energy (𝐾𝐸) of an object is the scalar quantity 2 𝑚𝑣 2.

Therefore, 𝑊 = 𝐾𝐸𝑓 − 𝐾𝐸𝑖

𝑊 = ∆𝐾𝐸
Examples
1. Find the 𝐾𝐸 of a body of mass 5.0 𝑘𝑔 which is traveling at a constant speed of 5 𝑚⁄𝑠 .
Given: 𝑚 = 5.0 𝑘𝑔
𝑣 = 5 𝑚⁄𝑠
Required to find: 𝐾𝐸
Solution:
1
𝐾𝐸 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2
1
𝐾𝐸 = 2 (5.0 𝑘𝑔)(5 𝑚⁄𝑠 )2

𝐾𝐸 = 62.5 𝐽
2. A 1 𝑘𝑔 block is thrown with a velocity of 2 𝑚⁄𝑠 along a horizontal floor. The coefficient
of friction, 𝜇𝑘 , between the block and the floor is 0.20. (a) What is the 𝐾𝐸 and speed of
the block after traveling a distance of 50 𝑐𝑚? (b) How far will the block go before it comes
to rest?
Given: 𝑚 = 1 𝑘𝑔
𝑣1 = 2 𝑚⁄𝑠
 General Physics 1| Module 3 13

𝜇𝑘 = 0.20
Required to find: (a) 𝐾𝐸 and 𝑣 after traveling 50 𝑐𝑚
(b) 𝑑 traveled before the block comes to rest
Solution:
(a) 𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇𝑁 = 0.2(9.8 𝑁) = 1.96 𝑁
𝐹𝑓 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹𝑓 1.96 𝑁
𝑎= = = 1.96 𝑚⁄𝑠 2
𝑚 1 𝑘𝑔
1
𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 2 (1 𝑘𝑔)(2 𝑚⁄𝑠 )2

𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 2 𝐽
1𝑚
𝑊𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 = 1.96 𝑁 (50 𝑐𝑚 × 100 𝑐𝑚)

𝑊𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 = 0.98 𝐽 after traveling 50 𝑐𝑚

(b) 2𝑎𝑑 = 𝑣𝑓 2 − 𝑣𝑖 2
𝑣𝑓 2 −𝑣𝑖 2
𝑑= 2𝑎
2
0−(1.96 𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
𝑑= = 0.98 𝑚 (Note: the negative 𝑎 is a deceleration.)
2(−1.96𝑚⁄𝑠 2)

Well done! After learning about work and

its relation to energy, you can now answer
Activity No. 1, which can be found on
pages 1-3 1 of your General Physics 1
activity sheets and apply what you have
learned from the topic.
 General Physics 1| Module 3 14

Lesson 3.1.2: Work, Power, and Energy

Learning Targets: At the end of the lesson, I can:

✓ Relate the gravitational potential energy of a system or object to the

configuration of the system; and
✓ Relate the elastic potential energy of a system or object to the configuration of
the system.

❖ The Work-Energy Theorem and Kinetic Energy

We expect that if we do work, we will get something as a result. In physics, we always
get a result from the effort that we have exerted to perform work on an object, like setting the
object in motion, making the object rotate, and making the object jump or roll. We have discussed
the important relationship between work and the change in kinetic energy. This is known as the
1 1
work-energy theorem. In equation form, it is written as 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 − 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 or 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 =

𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐾𝐸 − 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐾𝐸.

Examples
1. A water skies whose mass is 70 𝑘𝑔 has an initial speed of 6 𝑚⁄𝑠 . Later, the speed of the
skier becomes 11 𝑚⁄𝑠 . Determine the work done by the net force acting on the skier.
Given: 𝑚 = 70 𝑘𝑔
𝑣𝑖 = 6 𝑚⁄𝑠
𝑣𝑓 = 11 𝑚⁄𝑠
Required to find: work 𝑊 done on the skier
Solution:
1
𝑊 = 2 (𝑚)(𝑣𝑓 2 − 𝑣𝑖 2 )
1
𝑊 = (70 𝑘𝑔)[(11 𝑚⁄𝑠)2 − (6 𝑚⁄𝑠 )2 ]
2

𝑊 = 2,975 𝐽
2. A 0.075 𝑘𝑔 arrow is fired horizontally. The bowstring exerts an average force of 65 𝑁 on
the arrow over a distance of 0.90 𝑚. With what speed did the arrow leave the bow?
Given: 𝑚 = 0.075 𝑘𝑔
𝐹 = 65 𝑁
𝑑 = 0.90 𝑚
Required to find: 𝑣𝑓
Solution:
𝑊 = (𝐹 ∙ 𝑑 ) = 65 𝑁 (0.90 𝑚) = 58.5 𝐽
1 1
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 − 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2
2 2
1
Since 𝑣𝑖 = 0 and 𝑊 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2
 General Physics 1| Module 3 15

2𝑊
𝑣𝑓 2 = 𝑚

𝑣𝑓 = √2𝑊 ⁄𝑚

𝑣𝑓 = √2(58.5 𝐽⁄0.075 𝑘𝑔)

𝑣𝑓 = 39.5 𝑚⁄𝑠

❖ Representation of the Work-Energy Theorem in a Graph

We have discussed how work-energy theorem was obtained based on the laws of
motion. It was derived to be
𝑊 = ∆𝐾𝐸
1 1
where ∆𝐾𝐸 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 − 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2
1
∆𝐾𝐸 = 2 𝑚(𝑣𝑓 2 − 𝑣𝑖 2 )
1
Therefore, 𝑊 = 2 𝑚(𝑣𝑓 2 − 𝑣𝑖 2 )
1
Since 𝑚 is a constant, then we can represent this relationship in a graph where we plot the work
2

in the ordinate and the square of the velocity in the abscissa. Therefore, we could have the
following graph representing the work-energy theorem.

∆𝑊 1
where = 𝑘 𝑜𝑟 2 𝑚
∆ (𝑣 2 )

❖ Relation of Power to Work, Energy, Force, and Velocity

When we discuss work, we are not only concerned about the work that is done on a
body; we are also concerned about the power doing it. We want to know how long it would take
us to do it.
 General Physics 1| Module 3 16

In looking for the time it takes to do a certain work, we want to know the rate at which
the work is done. We are looking for power, because by definition, power (𝑃) is the rate at which
work is done. In mathematical form,
𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘
𝑃=
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑊
𝑃=
𝑡
If we have two men doing the same work, we can compare their accomplishments by
determining their power. Let us say that two men have the same weight. They are to climb the
same hill. Thus, they will be doing the same amount of work. But if one of them climbed the hill
at a shorter time compared to the other, we can say that the man who did the work in a shorter time
has a greater power because his rate of doing the work is greater. If we want to know how fast the
work is done, we have to look for the amount of power he spent in doing the work.
How do we relate power to force, velocity, and energy? Power is defined as work
𝑾 𝑭∙𝒅
done per unit time or 𝑷 = , and work is 𝑊 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑. So, the power in terms of force is 𝑷 = .
𝒕 𝒕

We define velocity as the displacement covered per unit time. So, 𝑷 = 𝑭𝒗. Power is therefore
related to force and velocity as given by the equation above.

In the 𝑚𝑘𝑠 system of units, power is expressed in joules per second or 𝐽⁄𝑠. This is
also known as watt (𝑊 ) in honor of James Watt who invented the steam engine in the 18th century.
One watt (1 𝑊 ) of power is expended when one joule (𝐽) of work is done in one second (1 𝑠). A
power of 1,000 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 is equal to one kilowatt (1 𝑘𝑊 ). In the British system of units, power is
measured in horsepower (𝐻𝑃). One horsepower is equal to 0.75 𝑘𝑊. So, an engine rated at
134 𝐻𝑃 is a 100 𝑘𝑊 engine.
Examples
1. How many joules of work is done on an object when a force of 10 𝑁 pushes it a distance
of 10 𝑚? What is the power if the work was done in 5 𝑠?
Given: 𝐹 = 10 𝑁
𝑑 = 10 𝑚
Required to find: work done on the object, power
Solution:
𝑊 =𝐹∙𝑑
𝑊 = 10 𝑁 (10 𝑚)
𝑊 = 100 𝐽

𝑊
𝑃=
𝑡
100 𝐽
𝑃= 5𝑠

𝑃 = 20 𝐽⁄𝑠 𝑜𝑟 20 𝑊
 General Physics 1| Module 3 17

2. How much power is expended by a man moving a 500 𝑁 crate to a height of 20 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
in 60 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠?
Given: weight of the crate = 500 𝑁
𝑡 = 60 𝑠
𝑑 = 20 𝑚
Required to find: power by the man
𝑊
Solution: Use the formula 𝑃 = 𝑡

So we compute first the value of work, 𝑊.

𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑
𝑊 = 500 𝑁 (20 𝑚)
𝑊 = 10,000 𝐽
We can substitute this value of work to the formula to be used.
10,000 𝐽
𝑃= 60 𝑠

𝑃 = 166.67 𝑊

❖ Gravitational Potential Energy of a System

When we wind a spring mechanism, we do work. The spring acquires a type of energy
which can be used to do work. Energy can be stored in an object, like the wound spring, to be able
to do work. Energy can also be stored in an object by virtue of its position. For example, a box at
a tabletop has potential energy due to its position. A force was exerted to it to be able to put it in
that position. The product of that force and its position or height to which it was brought is equal
to the work done on it. This work stores gravitational potential energy to the body.
If we want to elevate an object against the Earth’s gravity, we have to do work on the
object in bringing it to the elevated position. The object, as a result, gains potential energy. This is
called gravitational potential energy. Other examples of gravitational potential energy stored in an
object are water in an elevated reservoir, an elevated ram or pile driver, and a boulder on top of a
mountain. All of these can-do works if released from their elevated positions. The work done in
elevating an object is equal to the gravitational potential energy stored in the elevated object. The
work done is equivalent to the weight of the elevated object multiplied by the distance to where it
is elevated. We therefore define gravitational potential energy (𝐺𝑃𝐸) mathematically as
𝐺𝑃𝐸 = 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 where 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑤 = 𝑚𝑔, so
𝐺𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
The illustration in Figure 5 shows books placed on different locations in a book shelf.
 General Physics 1| Module 3 18

Figure 5 Two books on different locations in a bookshelf (Source: https://engineerfix.com/what-is-potential-energy/ Retrieved

August 4, 2021)

The gravitational potential energy (𝐺𝑃𝐸), 𝑚𝑔ℎ, depends on the weight 𝑚𝑔 and the
height ℎ of the object. Potential energy is independent of the path taken to lift the book from the
ground to a certain height ℎ.
Example
Find the gravitational potential energy of the books in at different heights
(ℎ1 = 3 𝑚, ℎ2 = 2 𝑚, ℎ3 = 1 𝑚) given that the weight of each book is 10 𝑁.
Given: weight of each book = 10 𝑁
ℎ1 = 3 𝑚
ℎ2 = 2 𝑚
ℎ3 = 1 𝑚
Required to find: 𝐺𝑃𝐸1 , 𝐺𝑃𝐸2 , and 𝐺𝑃𝐸3
Solution: The formula to be used is 𝐺𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
𝐺𝑃𝐸1 = 10 𝑁(3 𝑚) = 30 𝐽
𝐺𝑃𝐸2 = 10 𝑁 (2 𝑚) = 20 𝐽
𝐺𝑃𝐸3 = 10 𝑁 (1 𝑚) = 10 𝐽

There are many forms of energy. Energy is the capacity to do work. Energy can be
changed from one form to another form. We have already observed in many cases that energy is
changed from one form to another, but the amount of energy always stays the same. It is because
energy cannot be created nor destroyed. This is called the principle of conservation of energy
which states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed; it is just converted from one form to
another.
Let us consider an example. A diver uses 5,000 𝐽 of chemical energy to climb a
diving board. This means he stored 5,000 𝐽 of gravitational potential energy (𝐺𝑃𝐸) and zero
 General Physics 1| Module 3 19

kinetic energy (𝐾𝐸). As he dives and falls down, his 𝐺𝑃𝐸 is converted to an equal amount of 𝐾𝐸.
At the ground level, all of his 𝐺𝑃𝐸 is converted to 𝐾𝐸. Note that the total amount of 𝐺𝑃𝐸 and 𝐾𝐸
the diver possesses during the process is always equal to 5,000 𝐽/
When a body freely falls from a certain height, its total energy is equal to its GPE at
its highest position, meaning 𝐾𝐸 is zero at this point. The moment it leaves its highest position, it
begins to acquire 𝐾𝐸 which is a conversion from 𝐺𝑃𝐸. See illustration in Figure 6

Figure 6 A body falling from a certain heigh (Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/1455069/4/images/26/Falling+objects.jpg

Retrieved August 04, 2021)

Example
Determine the energy of a swinging pendulum bob at its highest position, at the middle position,
and at its lowest position which will be considered the reference level. The length of the string is
1 𝑚 and the height of its position is 1.5 𝑚. The mass 𝑚 of the bob is 0.20 𝑘𝑔.
Given: 𝑚 = 0.20 𝑘𝑔
ℎ=1𝑚
Required to find: Total energy at the highest position, at the middle position, and at the lowest
position
Solution:
Total energy at the highest position
= 𝐺𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
= 0.20 𝑘𝑔 (9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )(1 𝑚)
= 1.96 𝐽
Since the total energy of the system must be the same,
Total energy at the middle position = 2 𝐽
Total energy at the lowest position = 2𝐽
 General Physics 1| Module 3 20

❖ Elastic Potential Energy of a System

We have discussed earlier that an object brought to some position above the surface
of the Earth has gravitational potential energy. So, when we allow it to fall, like a ram in a pile
driver, it can do work. On the other hand, a spring, when compressed or stretched, also has a stored
potential energy. We refer to this as elastic potential energy. A compressed or a stretched spring
can do work on an object which is attached to it. An example of a stretched or a compressed spring
doing work on an object is a door-closing gadget that we use with our screen doors. When an open
door is released, the compressed spring expands and does the work of closing the door. See Figure
7 below.

Figure 7 A door-closing unit (Source: http://demo.webassign.net/ebooks/cj6demo/art/images/c10/nw0396-n.gif Retrieved

August 04, 2021)

Let us find an expression for elastic potential energy. We have determined the work
done of the spring on an object. Consider a spring shown in Figure 8 below.

Figure 8 A stretched spring

In the spring shown, the initial position is 𝑥𝑖 and the final position is 𝑥𝑓 after the
object is released. The work done by the spring is 𝑊 = (𝐹 cos 𝜃 )𝑑 where 𝐹, the spring force, is
equal to −𝑘𝑥. Since the spring is stretched from 𝑥𝑖 to 𝑥𝑓 , the magnitude of the spring force changes
 General Physics 1| Module 3 21

from 𝑘𝑥𝑖 to 𝑘𝑥𝑓 . Since the magnitude 𝐹 is changing, to account for it, we take the average of the
1
two forces since the dependence is linear, so 𝐹 = 2 (𝑘𝑥𝑓 + 𝑘𝑥𝑖 ). The work done by the average

force is 𝑊 = (𝐹 cos 𝜃 )𝑑.

1
Substituting 𝐹, we get 𝑊 = 2 (𝑘𝑥𝑓 + 𝑘𝑥𝑖 ) cos 𝜃 (𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 )
1 1
𝑊 = 2 𝑘𝑥𝑓 2 − 2 𝑘𝑥𝑖 2

𝜃 is zero (0°) since the spring points in the same direction as the force. We can now
define 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 as the energy that a spring has when stretched or compressed. In mathematical
1
form, 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = 2 𝑘𝑥 2 .

Example
The force constant of a spring is 5 𝑁⁄𝑐𝑚. What is the 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 of the spring when
it is stretched a distance of 10 𝑐𝑚?
Given: 𝑘 = 5 𝑁⁄𝑐𝑚
𝑥 = 10 𝑐𝑚
Required to find: 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐
1
Solution: 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = 2 𝑘𝑥 2
1
𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = (5 𝑁⁄𝑐𝑚)(10 𝑐𝑚)2
2
1𝑚
𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = 250 𝑁 ∙ 𝑐𝑚 × 100 𝑐𝑚

𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 = 2.5 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 𝑜𝑟 2.5 𝐽

Great job! After learning about work,

power, and energy, you can now answer
Activity No. 2, which can be found on
pages 4-5 of your General Physics 1
activity sheets and apply what you have
learned from the topic.
 General Physics 1| Module 3 22

Lesson 3.1.2: Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces

Learning Targets: At the end of the lesson, I can:

✓ Explain the properties and effects of conservative forces;

✓ Identify conservative and non-conservative forces;
✓ Express the conservation of energy verbally and mathematically;
✓ Determine if energy conservation is application in a given example before and
after a description of a physical system; and
✓ Solve problems involving work, energy, and power.

❖ Conservative Forces
Gravitational force has an interesting property. When an object is moved from one
position to another by a gravitational force, the work done does not depend on the path taken by
the force moving the object. Let us say, a woman is hiking with a weight of 500 𝑁. See illustration
in Figure 9 below.

Figure 9 The work done by the gravitational force is the same for all three paths, because this force is conservative.

In path one and path 3, the woman took a circuitous path in reaching the final position,
while in path 2, the woman took a straight path. The diagram shows that the distance from the
initial position to the final position is one kilometer. If we are to calculate the done by the woman
when taking path 1, we will get her work done to be 500 N×1,000 meters=500,000 J. On the other
hand, the work done by the woman when taking path 2 is 500 N×1,000 meters=500,000 J. It can
be seen that despite the different paths taken, the work done is still the same or equal. Regardless
of the path taken, it does a work of 500,000 J.
If the work done by a force in moving an object is independent of the path taken to
do the work, then the force is said to be a conservative force. An example of a conservative force
is gravitational force. Other conservative forces are elastic force of a spring and electric force
between two electric charges.
 General Physics 1| Module 3 23

If we have a curved track like the one shown in Figure 10, assuming that there is no
friction along the track and that there is no air resistance, a ball dropped at point A will travel
through B, then will stop momentarily at C, then goes back through B, and will return to A which
is the starting point.

Figure 10 A ball sliding through a curved path

This kind of path which begins and ends at the same point is called a closed path. The
only force acting on the object is the force due to gravity. It is the only force that does work on the
object along the path. During the entire trip, the amount of positive work done on the object is
equal to the negative work on the return trip. So, the net work done on the object is zero. Therefore,
the work due to gravity is zero for a closed path. We can therefore state that

a conservative force is one that does no net work on an object moving in a closed path,
and starts and finishes at the same point

We can summarize the description of a conservative force in two ways. One is in

terms of an object moving two points and other one is in terms of an object moving along a closed
path.

❖ Non-conservative Forces
All forces that we have considered are conservative forces, which we can say are
ideal forces. But not all forces are conservative. There are those which we call non-conservative
forces. A force is non-conservative if the work it does on moving objects depends on the path of
motion of the object. One example of non-conservative forces is the kinetic frictional force which
points opposite to the direction of the sliding motion. It is also doing negative work. This work is
equal to the product of the kinetic frictional force and the length of the path taken, so over longer
paths, greater amount of work is done.
For a closed path, the total amount of work done by a non-conservative force is not
equal to zero. For instance, opposing the motion of an object traveling in a closed path is kinetic
frictional force which slows down the object in its track.
 General Physics 1| Module 3 24

Other examples of non-conservative forces are static friction, air resistance, tension,
normal force, and thrust force of a rocket.

❖ The Conservation of Mechanical Energy

In the study of work-energy theorem, we are led to the consideration of the potential
and kinetic energy. The sum of these two kinds of energy is called the total mechanical energy
𝑬𝑻 , so 𝐸𝑇 = 𝐾𝐸 + 𝑃𝐸. This can be expressed in terms of net work, 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 ,
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = (𝐾𝐸𝑓 − 𝐾𝐸𝑖 ) + (𝑃𝐸𝑓 − 𝑃𝐸𝑖 )
Rearranging the terms, we get
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = (𝐾𝐸𝑓 + 𝑃𝐸𝑓 ) − (𝐾𝐸𝑖 + 𝑃𝐸𝑖 )
Therefore,
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐸𝑓 − 𝐸𝑖

This states that the net work, 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 done by a non-conservative force is equal to the change in
energy from an initial value of 𝐸𝑖 to a final value of 𝐸𝑓 . The work-energy theorem can now be
written as 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐸𝑓 − 𝐸𝑖 .
The equation for net work done shows how the principle arises when only a
gravitational force does work on the object. We see that the net work done by the non-conservative
force is zero, 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0. The equation then becomes 𝐸𝑓 = 𝐸𝑖 which means that the final mechanical
energy 𝐸𝑓 is equal to the initial mechanical energy 𝐸𝑖 .
We can thus state the principle of conservation of mechanical energy as follows:

The total mechanical energy (𝑬𝑻 = 𝑲𝑬 + 𝑷𝑬) of an object remains constant as the object
moves, provided that the net work done by the non-conservative force is zero.

Examples
1. A cyclist is trying to leap across two hills by cycling horizontally off the taller hill. The
cyclist leaves the taller hill at a speed of 40 𝑚⁄𝑠 . Ignoring air resistance, find the final
speed with which the cyclist strikes the ground on the other hill.
Given: 𝑣𝑖 = 40 𝑚⁄𝑠
Height of taller hill = ℎ𝑖 = 50 𝑚
Height of small hill = ℎ𝑓 = 20 𝑚
Required to find: final velocity
Solution: Use the principle of conservation of mechanical energy.
1 1
𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑓 = 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑖
2 2

𝑣𝑓 = √𝑣𝑖 2 + 2𝑔(ℎ𝑖 − ℎ𝑓 )
 General Physics 1| Module 3 25

𝑣𝑓 = √(40 𝑚⁄𝑠)2 + 2(9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )(50 𝑚 − 20 𝑚)

𝑣𝑓 = 46.78 𝑚⁄𝑠
2. A 5 𝑚 rope is tied to a tree limb and used as a swing. Tarzan holds the rope in a horizontal
orientation. Assuming that the frictional force is zero and there is no air resistance,
determine the speed of Tarzan at the lowest point on the circular arc of the swing.
Given: length of rope = 5 𝑚
Required to find: speed of Tarzan at the bottom of his swing
Solution: Use the principle of conservation of mechanical energy.
1 1
𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑓 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑖
2

𝑣𝑓 = √2𝑔(ℎ𝑖 − ℎ𝑓 )

𝑣𝑓 = √2(9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )(5 𝑚)

𝑣𝑓 = 9.9 𝑚⁄𝑠
3. A roller coaster ride in a park includes a vertical drop of 60 𝑚. Assume that the roller
coaster has a speed of nearly zero when it reaches the top of the hill. Neglecting friction,
find the speed of the riders at the bottom of the hill.
Given: ℎ𝑖 = 60 𝑚
Required to find: final velocity, 𝑣𝑓
Solution: Use the principle of conservation of mechanical energy
1 1
𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑓 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝑖
2

𝑣𝑓 = √𝑣𝑖 2 + 2𝑔(ℎ𝑖 − ℎ𝑓 )

𝑣𝑓 = √0 + 2(9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )(60 𝑚)

𝑣𝑓 = 34.29 𝑚⁄𝑠
4. A 1,500 𝑘𝑔 car starts from rest and then accelerates for 5 𝑠. The magnitude of the
acceleration is 5 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 . Determine the average power generated by the net force that
accelerates the vehicle.
Given: 𝑚 = 1,500 𝑘𝑔
𝑡 =5𝑠
𝑎 = 5 𝑚⁄𝑠 2
𝑣𝑖 = 0 𝑚⁄𝑠
Required to find: average power, 𝑃
Solution: net force on car, 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 = (1,500 𝑘𝑔)(5 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )
𝐹 = 7,500 𝑁
Since 𝑣𝑖 = 0 𝑚⁄𝑠 and 𝑎 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡,
 General Physics 1| Module 3 26

1
𝑣̅ = 2 (𝑣𝑖 − 𝑣𝑓 )

𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡 = 𝑎𝑡
𝑣𝑓 = 5 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 (5 𝑠) = 25 𝑚⁄𝑠
1
𝑣̅ = 2 (0 − 25 𝑚⁄𝑠 ) = 12.5 𝑚⁄𝑠

𝑃̅ = 𝐹̅ 𝑣̅
𝑃̅ = 7,500 𝑁 (12.5 𝑚⁄𝑠)
𝑃̅ = 93,750 𝑊

Hooray! We are finally done with module 3. You can

now answer Activity No. 3, which can be found on pages
6-7 of your General Physics 1 activity sheets and apply
what you have learned from the last topic.

I hope that you had fun learning the topics. If you have
any questions, do not hesitate to contact me through
my email: quenieebroca@sccpag.edu.ph. Also, as a
reminder, submit only the answer sheets, not the
entire module. You may also write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper if you want. God bless in your
prefinal exam. See you in our next journey.

Prepared by: Quennie S. Broca