CLASS XI PHYSICS

WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

1.WORK – Work is said to be done, if a force acting on a body is able to actually move
it through some distance in the direction of force.

2.SCALAR PRODUCT – The scalar product of the two vectors ⃗ A and ⃗B is defined as the
product of the magnitudes of the vectors ⃗ A and ⃗
B and the cosine of the angle between
them. It is denoted by ⃗
A. ⃗
B. It is also known as dot product of the two vectors.
Mathematically, if θ is the angle between the vectors ⃗A and ⃗B. Then,

⃗
A. ⃗
B= A B cos θ

3.WORK DONE BY A CONSTANT FORCE – The work done by a constant

force(constant) is measured as the product of the magnitude of force and the distance
covered by the body in the direction of force.

F displaces a body through displacement ⃗S in the direction of force.

If the force ⃗
Then, work done
W = F S,
Where F and S are the magnitude of the force vector (⃗ F ¿ and the displacement vector (
⃗S ¿ respectively, the displacement being in the direction of force.

In case Force ⃗F acts along a direction making angle θ with the direction of
displacement ⃗S as shown in the figure, then work done is found by resolving the force
into two rectangular components :
(i) F x along the direction of displacement ⃗S,

| F x | = F cos θ

(ii) and F y along perpendicular to displacement ⃗S,

| F y| = F sin θ

As the body does not move in the direction of component of force ⃗

F y , the component
⃗
F y , does no work. On the other hand, work done by component ⃗Fx

W =|⃗
F x||S
⃗ |=¿
W =F S cos θ

Work done by the force may be measured as the dot product of the force applied and
the displacement caused by the force. As work done is dot product of the vectors, it is a
scalar quantity.
When ⃗ F and ⃗Sare perpendicular to each other,
 F . ⃗S=FScos 90º ¿ FS ( 0 )=0
W =⃗
Therefore, if a body moves in a direction perpendicular to that in which the force acts,
the force does no work.

Dimensions and units of work – The dimensional formula of work is [ M L T −2 ] . Its SI

unit is joule and is denoted by J.

1 Joule ¿ 1 newton x 1 metre ¿1 Nm

Therefore, work done is said to be one joule, if a force of one newton displaces a body
through one metre in the direction of force.

4.NATURE & TYPES OF WORK – Work done is given by W =⃗

F . ⃗S

Therefore, work done will be positive, negative or zero depending on whether the angle
between ⃗ F or ⃗Sis acute, obtuse or is 90º. Also, the work done is zero, when either ⃗F or
⃗S or both ⃗ ⃗
F and S are zero.
a)Example of Positive Work :
i) When a body falls freely under gravitational pull, the work done by gravity is positive.
ii) When a horse pulls a cart on a level road, the work done is positive.

b) Example of Negative Work :

i)When a body is made to slide over a rough surface, the work done by frictional force is
negative.
ii) When two like charges move toward each other, the work done by the force acting
between them is negative.

c) Example of Zero Work :

i) When a coolie travels on a platform with a load on his head, work done by the coolie
is zero.
ii) When a body is moved along a circular path with the help of a string, the work done
by tension in the string is zero.

5.WORK DONE BY A VARIABLE FORCE –

a)Mathematical Treatment – Work done in moving a body from the point A to b under
the action of a varying force.
Suppose that at any time, the body is at point P and the force on the body is ⃗
F.
⃗ ⃗
Suppose that it moves from the point P to Q, such that PQ =ds which is an infinitesimally
small displacement. The force varies between the points P and Q but due to very small
value of ⃗
ds , it may taken constant over the small displacement. Therefrore, small
amount of work done by the force ⃗ F between the points P and Q is given by

dW =⃗ F.⃗
ds
the work done in moving the body from the point A to B can be obtained by integrating
the above equation between proper limits. Thus, total work done in moving the body
from the point A to B is given by
 B
W =∫ ⃗
F.⃗
ds
A

If S1and S2 are magnitudes of the initial and final displacements of the body at the points
A and B with respect to the reference point O,

S2

W =∫ ⃗
F.⃗
ds
S1

F and ⃗
In case ⃗ ds are along the same direction, then
S2

W =∫ Fds
S1

b)Graphical Treatment –
The work done by a force is also given by the area under the portion of force-
displacement graph between the displacements corresponding to the initial and final
positions of the body. Suppose that the force varies with displacement (in magnitude) as
represented by the graph AB in the figure. Corresponding to the point P, the magnitude
of the force is F(¿ PPꞋ ) and ds(¿ P Ꞌ Q Ꞌ) is infinitesimally small displacement from the
point P to Q in the direction of the force. Therefore,

Fds = small work done between points P and Q = PPꞋ x P Ꞌ Q Ꞌ

= area of the shaded strip PQQꞋPꞋ,
Provided ds is so small that corresponding to both the points P and Q, magnitude of
the force may be considered as F. Total work done can be calculated by dividing the
whole path into elementary portions such as PQ and in each case, work done will be
equal to area of the small shaded strip, such as PQQꞋPꞋ. Therefore, total work done
between the points A and B is equal to sum of the areas of the shaded strips formed
between points A and B under the force-displacement curve i.e.

S2

∫ Fds= Area ABB Ꞌ AꞋ

S1
6.KINETIC ENERGY – The energy possesses by a body by virtue of its motion is called
Kinetic energy.

Expression for Kinetic energy – Consider a body of mass M moving with velocity v
such that the body is at rest initially. Suppose that a constant force ⃗ F is applied on the
⃗
body, till its velocity becomes ⃗v along the direction of force. Let S be the displacement of
the body during this time

Then, work done by the force,

W =⃗ F . ⃗S =FS

If a⃗ is acceleration produced in the motion of body, then according to Newton’s second

law of motion,
⃗F =M ⃗a
As the vector a⃗ is along the direction of ⃗
F , in the above equation so the equation
becomes

W=MaS - (i)

Using the relation : v ²−u ²=2 aS

v ²−(0)²=2 aS or
v²
a=
2S

v² 1
W= Mx x S= M v ²
2S 2

As this much amount of work done on the body of mass M will set the body moving with
velocity v from its state of rest, it is equal to kinetic energy of the body. Therefore,
 1
Kinetic energy = 2 M v ²
7.WORK-ENERGY THEOREM – It states that the work done by a force acting on a
body is equal to the change produced in the kinetic energy of the body.

Suppose that a body is initially at rest and the force ⃗

F is applied on the body to
⃗
displace it through ds along the direction of the force. Then, the small work done

F.⃗
dW =⃗ ds=FdS

According to Newton’s second law of motion,

F=M a,

Where a is acceleration produced( in the direction of force) on applying the force.

dv dv
.∴ dW = M a dS = M S (as a = )
dt dt

dS dS
Or dW = M dv = M v dv (as v = )
dt dt

Therefore, work done by the force in order to increase its velocity from u(initial velocity)
to v (final velocity) is given by
v v
1 1
. W =∫ M v dv=M ∫ v dv= Mv ²− Mu ²
u u 2 2

Hence, work done on a body by a force is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.

7.POWER – The time rate of doing work is called power. If an agent performs the work
W in time t, then average power

W
. Pav =
t

Since power is ratio of two scalars(W and t), it is a scalar quantity.

The instantaneous power is defined as the limiting value of the average power as time
interval approaches to zero.

dW
P¿
dt

The work dW done by a force F for a displacement dr is dW = F.dr. The instantaneous

power can also be expressed as
 dr
P¿ F .
dt

P¿ F . v

where v is the instantaneous velocity when the force is F.

UNITS & DIMESIONAL FORMULA – The SI unit of power is Watt(W) and the
dimensional formula of power is [ M L ² T −3 ] .

1 joule
1 Watt =
1 sec

The power of an agent is said to be 1 watt, if one joule of work is done in one second.

Bigger units of power are Kilowatt and Megawatt

1KW = 103 watt and

1MW = 106 watt

Another unit of power is horsepower(hp).

1 hp = 746 W

In engineering, horse power (h.p.) is the practical unit of power.

8a)CONSERVATIVE FORCES – A force is said to be conservative, if the work done by

the force in moving a body between any two points is independent of the path followed.
A force is said to be conservative, if the work done by the force in moving a particle
Along a closed path is zero. The forces which follow the inverse square law are the
conservative forces such as Gravitational force.

b)NON CONSERVATIVE FORCES – If the work done by a force in moving a body over
a closed path is non-zero, the force is said to be a non-conservative force. Frictional
Force is an example of non-conservative force.

9.POTENTIAL ENERGY – It is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position

or configuration(shape or size).
The potential energy of a system(configuration) may be defined as the amount of
work done in bringing the bodies constituting the system to their present locations after
having been removed to positions infinite distance apart. In case the force between the
two bodies constituting the system is attractive, such a system is said to possess
negative potential energy and if the force between the two bodies is repulsive in nature,
Such a system is said to possess positive potential energy.
 Depending upon the nature of force operating in the system, the potential
energy of the system can be of different types :
a)Gravitational Potential energy

b)Electrostatic Potential energy

c)Elastic Potential energy

DERIVATION OF GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY – A system of two material
bodies exerting gravitational attractive force on each other possesses gravitational
potential energy. A material body and the earth form a two body system. The change in
potential energy of the body-earth system, when the body is raised to a height h, is
termed as the potential energy of the body, present at a height h above the ground.

Consider that a body of mass M is lying at point A on the surface of earth. If g

is acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth, it will be attracted towards the
centre of the earth with a force Mg, equal to the weight of the body. In order to move the
body up from point A to B with zero acceleration, a force equal to Mg has to be applied
on the body in upward direction.
 If the body is moved through a height h, then work done
W = force x displacement = Mgh
This work done is stored inside the body as its gravitational potential energy at point B.
Therefore,
Potential energy = Mgh
In fact, = Mgh will be equal to the change in gravitational potential energy of the body in
going from the point A to B.
10.PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY – It states that the energy can
neither be created nor be destroyed but can only be converted from one form to
another. It is one of the fundamental laws and is always obeyed in all the processes
taking place in the universe.
The total energy of an isolated system always remains constant.

11.CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY – Consider a body of mass M lying

at rest at the point A at a height h above the ground such that the sum of its kinetic and
potential energies at all the points of motion will remain constant, as the body falls freely
under gravity.
At point A. Since the body is at rest at the point A,

1 2
Kinetic energy of the body = M ( 0 ) =0
2

Also, Potential energy of the body = M g h

Therefore, Total mechanical energy at the point A = K.E + P.E

=0+Mgh
=Mgh
At point B. Suppose that the body falls through a height x and reaches the point B. Its
height above the ground will become (h−x). Let v be the velocity of the body at the point
B.

Using equation, v ²−u ²=2 a S ,

2
v ²−( 0 ) =2 g x (as a = g)

v ²=2 g x

1 2 1
Therefore, kinetic energy of the body = M v = M (2 g x ¿=M g x
2 2

Also potential energy of the body = M g (h−x)

Therefore, total mechanical energy at the point B = K.E. + P.E.

= M g x +¿M g (h−x)
=Mgh

At point C. When the body finally reaches point C on the ground, its height above the
ground is obviously zero. Let V be velocity acquired by the body on reaching the ground

Then, using the equation v ²−u ²=2 a S ,

2
V ²−( 0 ) =2 gh (as a = g)

V ²=2 gh

1 2 1
Therefore, kinetic energy of the body = M V = M ( 2 g h )=M g h
2 2

Also, Potential energy of the body = M g (0) = 0

Therefore, total mechanical energy at the point C = K.E. + P.E.

= M g h +0
=Mgh

So by this derivation, it is clear that for a freely falling body, the sum of the kinetic and
potential energies always remain the same. As the body falls, its potential energy
decreases but at the same time, its kinetic energy increases by an equal amount.

12.COLLISON – Collision between two bodies is defined as mutual interaction of the

bodies for a short interval of time as a result of which the energy and momentum of the
interacting bodies change.
Collision between two billiard or between two automobiles on a road are
a few examples of collision from every-day life. In physics, a collision is said to have
occurred, if the two bodies physically collide against each other or even when the path
of the motion of one body is affected by the other.

The collision between two bodies are of following three types :

a)Elastic Collision – Those collision, in which both momentum and kinetic energy of
the system are conserved, are called elastic collision.

b)Inelastic Collision – Those collision, in which the momentum of the system is

conserved but the kinetic energy is not conserved, are called inelastic collisions.

c)Perfectly inelastic collision – Those collisions, in which the colliding bodies stick
together after the collision and then move with a common velocity, are called perfectly
inelastic collision.

COLLISIONS IN ONE DIMENSION –

Consider two objects of masses m1and m2 such that the particle with mass m1 is
considered to move with speed u1 and the mass m2 is considered to be at rest. Now,
the mass m1 collides with the stationary mass m2 and this is depicted in the below figure.
Consider a completely inelastic collision in one dimension. Then, in the figure
.θ1= θ2 = 0

By law of conservation of momentum

.m1 u 1=¿+ m2 ¿ v

m1
. v= u - (i)
m1 +m2 1

The loss in kinetic energy on collision is

1 1
.∆ K = m1 u1 ²− ¿ + m2 ¿ v ²
2 2
 1 1 m1 ²
.∆ K = 2 m1 u1 ²− 2 m + m v² {By using equation (i)}
1 2

1 m1 1 m1
.∆ K = 2 m1 u1 ² [ 1− m ¿ = u ²
2 m1 +m2 1
1 +m 2

Consider next an elastic collision such that θ1= θ2 = 0

So, by law of conservation of momentum

.m1 u 1+ 0=m1 v 1+ m2 v 2 - (ii)

By law of conservation of Kinetic energy

.m1 u 1 ²+ 0=m1 v 1 ²+ m2 v 2 ² - (iii)

By equations (ii) and (iii)

.m1 u 1 ( v 2−u1 )=m1 v 1 (v 2−v 1 )

.OR v 2 ( u1−v 1 )=u 1 ²−v 1 ²

¿ ( u1−v 1 ) (u1 + v 1)

Therefore, v 2=¿ u1 + v 1 - (iv)

On substituting this in equation (ii)

(m ¿ ¿ 1−m2)
. v 1= u1 ¿
m1 +m2

and

(2 m¿ ¿1 u )
1
. v 2= m + m ¿
1 2

If the two masses are equal

v 1=0 and v 2=u1

COLLISIONS IN TWO DIMENSION –

Consider the plane determined by the final velocity directions of m1∧m2 to be x− y
plane. The x−¿ y−component equations are :

.m1 u 1=m1 v 1 cos θ 1+ m2 v 2 cos θ2

0 = m1 v 1 sin θ 1−m2 v 2 sin θ2

If the collision is elastic,

1 1 1
. m1 u1 ²= m1 v 1 ²+ m2 v 2 ²
2 2 2

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