4(c) Work, Energy and Power (2 weeks)

Scheme of Work:
4.11 know and use the relationship between work, force and distance moved in the
direction of the force:
work done = force × distance moved

𝑊=𝐹×𝑑

4.12 know that work done is equal to energy transferred

4.13 know and use the relationship between gravitational energy, mass, gravitational field
strength and height:

gravitational potential energy=mass × gravitational field strength× height

GPE=m× g ×h

4.14 know and use the relationship:

kinetic energy=½× mass × speed 2

KE=½× m× v 2

4.15 understand how conservation of energy produces a link between gravitational

potential energy, kinetic energy and work

4.16 describe power as the rate of transfer of energy or the rate of doing work

4.17 use the relationship between power, work done (energy transferred) and time taken

work done
power=
time taken

W
P=
t

Force, Energy, and Work

Energy enables us to do jobs of work.  When work is done, energy is transferred.  We can say:
Energy transferred = work done
 
We can relate work and force by the simple equation:

work done ( J )=Force applied ( N ) × distance moved∈the direction of the force( m)

W =F × d

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Note that the direction of the force and the direction of the movement have to be the same.  If they
are at right angles, zero work is done. 
 
Work Done and Friction

When two objects slide across each other work is done against the force of friction.
 
When work is done against friction, most of the energy is turned to heat. 
 
Kinetic Energy

Movement energy is called kinetic energy  All moving objects have kinetic energy:
 objects moving in a straight line;
 objects going round in a circle;
 objects vibrating.
 
Working out Kinetic Energy
 
When a force is exerted on an object, energy is transferred from one form to another

F block starts to move

Work done by force F = Kinetic energy gained by block

Product of Force and displacement

work ( J )=force ( N ) × displacement (m)

W =F × d

For work to be done, the force must be in the direction of the displacement

2
kinetic energy ( J )=½ × mass(kg)× velocit y (m/ s)

2
Ek =½ m v

Proof: (assume the object starts from rest)

Ek gained = force x displacement

=mxaxs

= m x change in v x s
t

= m x change in v x s
t

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 = m x change in v x average v

= m x (v – 0) x (v + 0)
2

=½mv2

Falling object: (assume no air friction)

v = 0m/s

W = mg (this force exerted by gravity exerts on

an unbalanced force on the object
h causing it to accelerate)

work done by W = Ek gained by object

W x h = Ek

mgh = Ek

gravitational potential energy

As the object falls: Ep lost = Ek gained

2
gravitational potential energy ( J ) =mass( kg)× g (m/s ) ×height (m)

E p =mgh

Power is the rate of doing work (how quickly work is done) – equation provided in the examination

Work ( J )
Power ( W ) =
Time (t)

w
P=
t

Example Questions:

1. Calculate the work done when a 600 N weight is lifted through 3 m

2. Calculate the frictional force if 1600 J of heat energy are produced when a concrete slab is
moved horizontally through 4 m.
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 3. A 50 kg mass is lifted and it gains 3 kJ of potential energy. Calculate the distance moved.

4. A girl does 1000 J of work in 5 seconds. Calculate the power that she develops.

5. A 25 kW motor runs for 30 seconds. Calculate the energy transferred.

6. A man lifts a weight of 300 N through a vertical height of 2 m in 6 s. What is his power?

7. Calculate the potential energy gained when a 2 kg mass is raised by 3 m.

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 8. Calculate the increase in height when a 500 kg car gains 100 kJ of P.E.

9. Calculate the kinetic energy when a 2 g bullet is travelling at 340 m/s.

10. Calculate the speed of 5 kg bag of potatoes with 40 J of K.E.

11. A 5 g bullet is fired vertically into the air at an initial speed of 316 m/s.
(a) Calculate the initial kinetic energy.

(b) Assuming that all the kinetic energy is converted to potential energy, calculate
the maximum height reached by the bullet.

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 12. A man of weight 1000 N runs up a flight of stairs, rising a vertical height of 5 m in 10 s.
Calculate the power developed.

13. A walker climbs a hill 300 m high. If she has a mass of 50 kg, calculate the work done against
gravity.

14. How long will it take a 25 kW motor to lift a 1000 kg mass vertically through 20 m?

15. A 4 kg load is raised vertically through 2 m.

(a) What is the weight of the load?

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 (b) If the lift force is equal to the weight, calculate the work done when the load is
raised.

(c) How much gravitational potential energy is gained by the load?

(d) If the load is then dropped, state the kinetic energy when it reaches the
ground?

(e) How fast will it be travelling when it reaches the ground?

Sample Examination Questions

Q7 2015 Jun 1P
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Q11 2013 Jan 1P

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Q13 2012 June 1P

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