TOPIC: Work, Power
Date: 1st February, 2022
Objectives:
• Understand that mechanical or electrical work done is equal to the of motion that force is not required to move an
energy transferred
• Recall and use the equation for mechanical working
W = Fd =ΔE
• Define power as work done per unit time and as energy transferred ground, no net force is applied to keep the rock
per unit time; recall and use the equations
(a) P= (b) P=
Keywords- Energy, Joule, Watt
Reference- https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/9-1-work-
power-and-the-work-energy-theorem
Work
Work is application of force, f, to move an object over
a distance, d, in the direction that the force is applied.
Work, W, is described by the equation
W=fxd
Some things that we typically considered to be work
are not work in the scientific sense of the term. Let’s
consider a few examples. Think about why each of
the following statements is true.
•Homework is not work.
•Lifting a rock upwards off the ground is work.
•Carrying a rock in a straight path across the lawn at a
Homework is not work because objects are not
being moved over a distance. Lifting a rock up
off the ground is work because the rock is
moving in the direction that force is applied. The
last example is less obvious. Recall from the laws
object at constant velocity. Therefore, while some
force may be applied to keep the rock up off the
Power
moving forward at constant velocity. Power is the rate at which work is
done.
Example
An ice skater with a mass of 50 kg is gliding
across the ice at a speed of 8 m/s when her Power =
friend comes up from behind and gives her a
push, causing her speed to increase to 12 m/s.
How much work did the friend do on the Power =
skater?
Solution The SI unit for power is
Work done on an object or system increases its
energy. In this case, the increase is to the skater’s
the watt (W), where 1 watt equals 1
kinetic energy. It follows that the increase in joule/second (1 W=1 J/s).
energy must be the difference in KE before and
after the push.
Example Class Task

How much work is done when a weightlifter lifts a  200N barbell from

A boy of mass 50kg descended a flight of stairs the floor to a height of 2m?
which is 5m above the ground in 2seconds.
Calculate the rate of energy used by the boy. Take g
as 10m/s2 Home Task

Identify which of the following actions generates more power. Show your work.
Solution •carrying a 100N TV to the second floor in 50s or
•carrying a 24N watermelon to the second floor in 10s?
Power = =

= 1250W