Energy, Work and Power

o Energy is the ability to do work

o There are many different forms of energy. The common types are listed in the table
below

Types of energy Description Examples

Light energy The radiant energy visible to the Light from fluorescent lamps
eye. It is released by an object that
is shining or burning

Elastic potential energy
The energy stored in an elastic Energy stored in a stretched
material when it is stretched or rubber band
compressed. Elastic materials
change shape under the action of a
force. Once the force is removed,
they return to their original shape

Electrical energy
The energy due to the flow of Energy from a lightning bolt
charged particles (electrons or ions).
Electrical energy is used to run
electrical appliances at home and
machines in factories

Thermal energy (or heat The energy related to the Heat from boiling water
energy) temperature of an object. If the
temperature of an object increases,
the thermal energy possessed by
the object also increases.

Chemical energy The energy stored in the chemical Energy stored in food
bonds between atoms or molecules.
This energy is stored in the food
that we eat

Gravitational potential Energy possessed by an object due Stored energy of objects in high
energy to its position in a gravitational places
field.
The 𝑃𝐸 of an object of mass 𝑚 at a
height ℎ in a gravitational field of
strength g can be calculated by the
following equation:

𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
 Height ℎ is usually taken as the
vertical distance from the ground
(i.e. the reference point is on the
ground). The 𝑃𝐸 of an object on the
ground is zero (because ℎ = 0)

Kinetic energy The energy possessed by an object Energy of a moving car

due to its motion.
The 𝐾𝐸 of an object of mass 𝑚
moving at a speed 𝑣 is given by:

1
𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2

Nuclear energy Energy stored in the nucleus of an Energy between sub-atomic

atom particles

Sound energy A mechanical wave produced by the Music from a radio speaker
vibration of particles in matter

o Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy are collectively known as mechanical
energy
o Energy can be converted from one form to another
Examples:
a. Burning matchsticks : chemical potential energy ⟶ thermal energy + light energy
b. Photosynthesis : light energy ⟶ chemical energy

Principle of Conservation of Energy

The Principle of Conservation of Energy states that the total amount of energy in an isolated
system is constant. In other word, energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can be
expressed by the following

Total initial energy = total final energy

Example
If a basketball of 2 kg is dropped from a height of 4 m, what is the speed of the basketball
when it hits the ground?

Solution

Initial position:
𝑃𝐸 = 2 kg × 10 m s −2 × 4 m
= 80 J

Final position:
Gravitational 𝑃𝐸 lost by stone = 80 J
𝐾𝐸 gained by stone = 80 J
𝐾𝐸 at ground = 80 J
1
× 2 kg × 𝑣 2 = 80 J
2
𝑣 2 = 80 J
𝑣 = 80
= 8.94 m/s

Exercise
1. A car with a mass of 800 kg moves with velocity of 10 m/s, what is the kinetic energy of
the car?

2. An object is placed 10 m high from the ground and has a mass of 10 kg.If the acceleration
due to gravity is 10 m/s 2 , what is the potential energy that the body has?

3. If a basketball of 0.625 kg is dropped from a height of 1.5 m, what is the speed of the
basketball when it hits the ground?
Work
Work done 𝑊 on an object is defined as the product of force 𝐹 acting on the object and
distance travelled 𝑠 by the object in the direction of the force

𝑊 = 𝐹𝑠

The SI unit of work done is identical to that of energy, joule J .

Power
Power 𝑃 is the rate of work done 𝑊.

𝑊
𝑃=
𝑡

where 𝑃 = power (watt)

𝑊 = work (joule)
𝑡 = time taken s

Example
A man weighing 600 N climbed a small hill of height 10 m in 12 s. Calculate the average
power generated by the man

Solution

Energy gained by man = gain in gravitational potential energy

= 𝑚𝑔ℎ

= 600 N × 10

= 6000 J

𝑊
Average power generated 𝑃 =
𝑡

6000 J
=
12 s
= 500 W
Exercise
A bucket is used to collect water from a well 4.5 m deep. When it is full, the bucket can carry
100 N of water. Calculate the average power needed to collect four buckets of water in one
minute

Efficiency
o Efficiency is the ratio between useful energy output 𝐸𝑜 and energy input 𝐸𝑖

𝐸𝑜
Efficiency =
𝐸𝑖

o Dividing the fraction by time taken 𝑡 we obtain the following variation:

𝐸𝑜
𝑡 useful power output 𝑃𝑜
Efficiency = 𝐸𝑖 =
total power input 𝑃𝑖
𝑡

Example
The efficiency of a power station with a 1.8 GW output is 32%. What is the input power?

Solution

𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡
× 100% = 32%
𝑃𝑖𝑛
1.8 GW
= 0.32
𝑃𝑖𝑛
1.8 GW
𝑃𝑖𝑛 =
0.32
= 5.6 GW

Exercise
A spring has 20 J of elastic potential energy when fully compressed. The compressed spring is
then used to propel a toy car forward. If the efficiency of the spring is 60%, calculate the
amount of energy lost