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Week 6

SELF-LEARNING PACKAGE IN

GENERAL PHYSICS 1
Work, Mechanical Energy and
Elastic Potential Energy

Learning Competencies:
• Determine the work done by a force acting on a system STEM_GP12WE-If-41
• Define work as a scalar or dot product of force and displacement
STEM_GP12WE-If-42
• Interpret the work done by a force in one dimension as an area under a Force vs.
Position curve STEM_GP12WE-If-43
• Relate the gravitational potential energy of a system or object to the configuration
of the system STEM_GP12WE-Ig-48
• Relate the elastic potential energy of a system or object to the configuration of the
system ` STEM_GP12WE-Ig-49
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Aim at the Target!

Week 5 module gave you some ideas about dynamics of motion which
tackle forces and Newton’s laws of motion, but this week your task is to ex-
plore the dynamics of energy and work that may further broaden your un-
derstanding of various physical phenomena happening around us.
For this Topic, you will explore the concepts such as work, mechanical
energy and elastic potential energy and you will be guided by the following
objectives:

1. Determine the work done by a force acting on a system

2. Define work as a scalar or dot product of force and displacement
3. Interpret the work done by a force in one dimension as an area un-
der a Force vs. Position curve
4. Relate the gravitational potential energy of a system or object to the
configuration of the system
5. Relate the elastic potential energy of a system or object to the con-
figuration of the system speeds on banked curved roads.

Try This!

Which of the following system do you think WORK is done (has nonzero work)?
Explain your answer in your Physics notebook.

F vconst
v

Carrying a load while

walking in a horizontal Pushing a box
path with constant
Pushing a sturdy
velocity
Wall

Image Source: Evan’s space at wordpress.com

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Keep This in Mind!

1.0 Definition of Work

• In layman’s term, it refers to activities that require physical and mental
effort.
• In physics, work is associated to the change in kinetic energy (or ener-
gy in motion) and/or change in potential energy or energy in position.
• Mathematically, it refers to the scalar product of the net force( generally
a constant force) acted upon or by the body and the displacement made
due to that force.

1.1 Standard Equation Of Work

Work (W) =

F = force
s = displacement

Note : The standard unit of energy in SI units is

Joule (J) in honor of James Prescott Joule,
is an equivalent unit of Work.

1 Joule = 1Nm

1.2 Work as a Result of Scalar Product

Scalar/Dot Product—a multiplication of two vector quantities, resulting
to a product which is a scalar quantity.
If A=(x1, y1) and B=(x2, y2), then A•B = (x1•x2) + (y1•y2)
Example: If A= (2, 3) and B = (-3, 5), then A•B = (2)•(-3) + (3)•(5)
= -6 +15 = 9 units
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Keep This in Mind!

If two vectors are multiplied using a
Work (W) = scalar product, then it is equal to the
product of their magnitudes time the
cosine of the angle between them.

1.3. Positive, Negative and Zero Work

The Force has a component in the

direction of a displacement. The
work on the object is POSITIVE.

The Force has a component in the

opposite direction of a displace-
ment. The work on the object is
NEGATIVE.

The Force is perpendicular to the

direction of a displacement. The
work on the object is ZERO.

Note: Work is zero in three cases: (1) when Net force is zero, that is when
the object moves with constant velocity, (2) when displacement is zero, that
is when the object, despite of a constant force, it remains stationary, and (3)
when force is perpendicular to the direction of the displacement
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ACTIVITY 1

“Work, Work, Work!”

Instruction: List at least two activities showing work done on the object is
positive, negative, or zero. Copy the table in a separate paper and
perform the activity

Activity Remarks for Work Done

Example: Pushing a 10kg box over a surface, and move it 3m on Positive

the direction of the force
1.

2.

Example: Pulling a carabao towards west, but the carabao Negative

moves due east.
1.

2.

Example: Pushing a concrete wall Zero

1.

2.

ANALYSIS 1

To deepen your ideas about the activities, answer all the guide ques-
tions in a separate answer sheet;
1. In an activity wherein you sweat, and become exhausted, is there a possi-
bility that even with your effort you did a zero work? Explain your answer.
2. It is said that work is an integrated concept of energy transformation,
what is your stand about this?
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Exercises 1

Example1: Two tugboats pulled a disabled tanker. Each tugboat exerts a con-
stant force of 1.0 x106N, one 20o east of North, and the other 20o west of
North. If the tanker displaced 1.0 km due north, what then is the total work
done on the tanker?
Given: F1 = 1.0 x106N, 20o E of N F2=1.0 x106N, 20o W of N
s = 1.0 km, N or 1000m, N

0 0
F2 20 20 F1

0 0
F2 20 20 F1

Free-body Diagram

Actual Diagram

Required: F1y = ? F2y = ? = F1y +F2y =? W=?

Formula: Fy = /F/cos Ɵ , W=

Execute: F1y = F2y = (1.0 x106 N) (cos 200) = 9.4x105 N, North

= F1y +F2y = 2 (9.4x105 N, North) = 1.9 x 106 N, North
W = F•s = (1.9 x106 N)(1000m) cos 0 = 1.9 x109 Nm
W= 1.9 x109 J

The total work done by the tugboats is a whooping 1.9 billion Joules. If the
tugboats are angularly farther from each other, their total work done de-
creases. This is because the component of their force on the direction of dis-
placement also decreases.
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A. Solve the Problems carefully. Follow the steps in the previous example.
Write your answer on a separate answer sheet.
1. A box is pulled by a constant 100 N force using a rope elevated from a
surface with an angle of 450. If the box displaces 5.00 m horizontally,
what then is the work done on the box?
2. As the box slides on the slippery icy floor, you pulled the rope attached to
a box preventing it to move farther away. If you exert 300 N force on the
rope that is elevated with an 300 from the level ground, what then is the
work done on the box?
3. A truck has a gross weight of 1.0 x106 N. Assuming that the concrete
road has a coefficient of friction of 0.80, how much work is done by the
road, when the truck travelled its full 500m length?
4. A farmer is carrying a 50kg sack of rice, along a 20 m horizontal side-
walk. How much work is done on a sack of rice?

B. Copy the table below on a separate sheet of paper, then fill in the miss-
ing values to complete the table.

Angle from a
Displace-
Constant Net force Displace- Work done
ment
ment
Example: 500 N 600 10 m W= (500)(10)(cos 600)
= 2500 J

1000 N 200 50 m

250 N 800 500 J

340 N 2700 20 m

1200 10 m -4000 J

2000 N 1500 17320.5 J

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Keep This in Mind!

2.0 Work as Bound Area of Position-dependent Force Graph

When a body is applied by a force that is position dependent, then the
work done on a system is associated to the bound area of the graph in a Force
vs. position graph.
Mathematically,

F(s) = s
Force (N), East)

Bound Area

Position (m)

To find Work done from 0 to 8 m, you can use the area of triangle;
W = shaded Area = Area of triangle
W= 0.5 (base)(height) = 0.5 (8m)(8N) = 0.5(64Nm) = 32Nm or 32 J
You can also use the bound area by using the definite integral of a posi-
tion-dependent force;
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ACTIVITY 2

Bound Area of Position– dependent Force

Instruction: Given are the graphs of a position-dependent force, find the
work done using either the areas of triangles and/or rectangle, or using the
definite integral. Show your solutions in a separate sheet of paper.

F(s)= 0.25x2

Force (N),
Force (N),

Position (m)
Position (m)

Solve for the work done Solve for the work done
from 0 to 7m from 0 to 4m

ANALYSIS 2

To deepen your ideas about the activities, answer all the guide ques-
tions in a separate answer sheet;

1. Which graph do you think a work done will be solve comfortably using the
areas of triangle and rectangle? Using the definite integral?
2. What can you say about position-dependent force? Is it different from the
first equation of work, where force is constant? Explain you answer?
3. Can you cite at least one situation where work done involves force that is
independent of displacement or position? Where work done involves force
that is dependent of displacement or position?
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Keep This in Mind!

3.0 Mechanical Energy and Work

Kinetic Energy—it refers to form of energy involving motion of the
body or particle. It is equal to the amount of work re
quire to accelerate a particle/body from rest to speed v.

Gravitational Potential Energy– it refers to form of energy involv-

ing position of the body or particle and effects of pull of gravity.

Work-Energy Theorem– When forces act on particle while it under-

goes displacement, the particle’s kinetic energy changes by the
total amount of work done due to all forces acting on it. It is
valid to constant forces as well as varying forces.

Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy– it states that in a con-

servative environment, mechanical energy is always conserved, that
is, the sum of the kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy
of the particle/body is always constant.
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ACTIVITY 3

Instruction: A ball is thrown vertically upward (refer to the diagram below). If

Air friction is negligible, and the system follow the law of conservation
of M.E., solve for the unknown values and then complete the table be-
low. Copy the table and write your answer in a separate paper.

v4 = 0 , hmax = 10 m

v3 = 1m/s , h3 =____
v5 = _____ , h5= 7 m

v2 = _____ , h2 = 5m

v3 =11.7m/s , h6 =_____

v1 = _____ , h3 = 1 m

vmax = 14 m/s , h7 = 0

Height h Speed v
Position GPE(J) KE(J) Work(J)
(in m) (in m/s)
1 1

2 5

3 1

4(example) 10 0 4.9 0 4.9

5 7

6 11.7

7(example) 0 14 0 4.9 4.9

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ANALYSIS 3

To deepen your ideas about the activities, answer all the guide questions in
a separate answer sheet;

1. What can you say about the total work at any position of the ball?
2. When can you say that a system is conservative or conservation of me-
chanical energy is valid? Explain your answer.
3. Cite at least one situation/scenario where Law of conservation of mechan-
ical energy is valid? Is not valid?

Keep This in Mind!

4.0 Definition of Elastic Potential Energy

When a situation where potential energy is not gravitational in nature,
it can be of another form. One of which is when work is done to stretch or
deform a body. Anything that is deformable( something that can be
stretched like spring and rubbers) has the ability to store work in them
through deformation or stretching. The form of energy stored by a deforma-
ble bodies is called Elastic Potential Energy. A body that can return to its
original state or form after it is stretched or deformed is called an elastic
body. All elastic body has high resistance to permanent deformation.

4.1 Work Stored in Elastic Body

For any ideal elastic body (such as spring or rubber bands),

the storing force (F) is defined as; F = kx, where k is force constant.
The larger the storing force of a body, the better it to store work in it. More-
over, the body with high force constant, and stretch more can have high
elastic potential energy.
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4.1.1 Work Done on or by the Ideal Spring

The spring momentarily at rest, It

means no work is done on or by the
spring

The spring stretches, It means work is

done on the spring. The spring does a
negative work on the block ( Storing
force is in opposite direction as that of
the displacement). Elastic potential
energy is stored in the spring.

The spring returns to its original state,

It means work is done by the spring.
The spring does a positive work on the
block (Storing force is in same direction
as that of the displacement). Elastic po-
tential energy is released by the spring.

The spring when compressed does a

negative work, thus storing Elastic po-
tential energy in the spring. On the
other hand, when compressed spring
returns to original state, it does positive
work, releasing the stored EPE.

Thus, the work done on or by the spring is denoted by the equations be-
low. (this equation is derived using the definite integral for work, since
this is an example of a position– dependent force)

(Work done on the Spring)

(Work done by the Spring)

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Reflect

In your physics notebook, kindly comply the tasks given.

Please Do it!
 Draw a big heart, inside it write your reflection about the essence of energy
in the universe, to your environment, and to yourself.

 Generate your own saying or quote that reflect your appreciation about
work.

Reinforcement & Enrichment

Practice Exercises
A. Solve the problems carefully. Follow the steps shown in the sample prob-
lems.
1. A cart is pulled by a constant 200 N force using a rope elevated from a
surface with an angle of 250. If the box displaces 10.0 m horizontally, what
then is the work done by the cart?
2. A sleigh sliding on a stiff icy mountainside obeys the law of conservation
of Mechanical energy. If the sleigh starts to move at the peak of a 1.00
km tall mountain;
(a) how much work is done on the sleigh as it reaches the base of the
mountain?
(b) how fast is the sleigh the moment it reaches the base?
(c) At what point is KE is maximum? GPE is maximum?
(d) At what point/s of the mountain the work done on the sleigh is maxi-
mum? Is it at the top, at the middle, at the base, or just the same at all
points? Explain your answer.

3. A force of 500 N stretches a certain spring a distance of 20.0 cm. (a) what
is the force constant of the spring? (b) What is the elastic potential energy
stored in a spring when compressed a distance of 10.0 cm?
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Assess Your Learning

I. Multiple Choice. Write only the letter that correspond best your answer.
1. It refers to a transfer of energy due to mechanical forces causing a body
move.
A. Mechanical Energy C. Elasticity
B. Work D. Heat exchange
2. Benjamen lifted a 20kg iron ball from the ground to a height of 50 cm.
How much work done on the iron ball?
A. 49 J B. 98 J C. 196 J D. 256 J
3. Which of the following requires the most work?
A. a 20 kg box rests on the top of 1.0m tall table
B. a boy pushes a 20 kg box on a rough surface and displaces 1.0m
C. a girl lifting a 20 kg box 1.0m off the floor
D. a dog barking on a 20 kg box 1.0 m away from it
4. Which of the following situation requires the least work?
A. walking upstairs C. lifting an apple 1.0m off the ground
B. pushing an immovable rock D. sliding on the curvy slide

5. A falling apple converted its ______ energy to _______energy.

A. Kinetic, Gravitational Potential C. Heat, Kinetic
B. Gravitational Potential, Kinetic D. Elastic Potential, Work
6. Why is it a law of conservation of mechanical energy is NOT valid for a
stretched or compressed spring?
A. The stretched or compressed spring is a conservative system
B. The work done on spring is due to position-dependent force
C. Storing force is always opposite the direction of the displacement
D. The spring is not affected by pull of gravity
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7. At what point/s did a roller coaster has the least potential energy?
A. Halfway down the hill C. At the top of the hill
B. at the base of the hill D. Halfway uphill
8. Mechanical energy is defined as the sum of both the potential energy
and the kinetic energy of an object. According to the law of conserva-
tion of Mechanical energy, what happens to mechanical energy if the
potential energy of an object decreases?
A. Mechanical energy also decreases
B. Mechanical energy remains unchanged
C. Mechanical energy increases
D. Mechanical energy increases then eventually decreases
9. Which of the following can store the highest elastic potential energy
when stretch or compressed?
A. A stainless steel shock absorber C. A big dishwashing sponge
B. A rainbow-colored slinky spring D. engine rubber belt
10. What happens when an object is moved against gravity, such as a
roller coaster moving uphill?
A. Potential energy is transformed to kinetic energy
B. Kinetic energy is transformed to gravitational potential energy
C. Mechanical energy is transformed to work
D. All of the above

References & Photo Credits

1.
Sears & Zemansky (2008). University Physics with modern Physics.(12th Edition). Pearson Addison-Wesley Publishing. Pp. 181-223