Work, Energy and Power

Work, W
Push a wall
Push the chair
What do you notice?
Which one moved? The chair
Which one do you think did work? The chair because it moved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVRH9d5PW8g

Work

Definition
Work is done when a force applied causes the object to move in the direction of the applied
force.

s
For example: The box above is pushed by a force, F and it moves a distance of s

Work is calculated using the equation

W=Fxs
Where s = distance in the same direction as the force (parallel distance)

Unit of Work
Nm

#1
A box of weight 60N is lifted from the ground to a shelf 2m high.
What force is required to lift the box? Why?
60N to overcome the weight.

Calculate the work done in lifting the box

W=Fxs
= 60N x 2m
= 120Nm

Energy, E
Energy is the ability to do work.
When work is done energy is used.
Therefore, work done = energy used
Unit of Energy: Joule, J

NB
Even though 1J = 1Nm,
We can say Nm or J of work BUT we can only say J of energy.

Power, P
Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is used.
Work done
Power =
time taken
P = W/t
OR
Energy used
Power =
time taken
P = E/t

Unit of Power: Watt , W

1 W = 1Js-1
1 W = 1 Nms-1

NB: Work, Energy and Power are scalar quantities.

#2
In dragging a box for 7s you use 700J of energy.
How much power did you develop?
P = E/t
= 700J/ 7s
= 100Js-1
= 100W

How much work did you do?

W = 700J
= 700Nm

If the distance you dragged the box was 10m, how much force was required?
W=Fxs
700Nm = F x 10m
700 Nm/ 10m = F
70N = F

#3
A boy of mass 55kg climbs to the top of a mountain of height 2000m in two hours.
What was the power he developed?
Types of Energy

Chemical Energy
Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds including food

Mechanical Energy
These include Kinetic Energy, EK and Gravitational Potential Energy, EP.

Kinetic Energy, EK
This is the energy that an object has when it is in motion.

EK = ½ mv2
where v = speed of the object.

Eg A car of mass 500kg moves with speed 30ms-1. Determine the kinetic energy of the car.
EK = ½ mv2
= ½ x 500kg x (30ms-1)2
= 250 x 900
= 225 000J

Potential Energy
This the stored energy an object has due to its state or position.

Example
Elastic Potential Energy is the stored energy of compressed springs and stretched elastics.
Chemical Potential Energy is the energy that is stored in foods and other chemicals.

Gravitational Potential Energy is the energy stored by an object due to its position above the
ground. The higher the object is above the ground, the greater the potential energy.

We will be concentrating on the Gravitational Potential Energy EP, at this time.

Gravitational Potential Energy EP

EP = mg Δ h
where m = mass
g = gravitational field strength or acceleration due to gravity
Δ h = change in height.

Eg
Calculate the potential energy for a box of mass 6kg is raised to a height of 3m.
EP = mg Δ h
= 6kg x 10Nkg-1 x 3m
= 180J
A motor lifts a block of mass 6.0kg through a height of 4m in a time of 3s. Calculate the power
used by the motor?