Energy, work and

power
 Energy
 Energy is the ability to do work.
 The SI unit of energy is Joule (J).
 Energy exists in different forms.

ENERGY PROPERTIES / “ENERGY CONSERVATION’’

1. Energy cannot be created or destroyed.

2. It can be transferred from one form to another.
3. It can be stored in to be transferred later.
Energy type What is it? Example
Kinetic energy energy due to motion/ in moving objects. • a moving car

Gravitational Stored energy in raised objects. • Water in a dam

potential energy It is the energy possessed because of its position. • a book on a shelf
Chemical energy stored in chemical bonds (coal, oil, food) • glucose molecules have energy, but
potential energy starch has more bonds so stores more
energy.
• Fuel produces heat when burnt.

Strain or elastic something compressed or stretched has the • compressed spring /stretched elastic
potential energy potential to do work or has stored energy in it. band when released produces KE,
which can be used to do work.

Nuclear potential energy released when particles in atoms are • Nuclear fission; splitting a heavy
energy rearranged or an atom splits nucleus into lighter nuclei (nuclear
reactors).
• Nuclear fusion; union of light nuclei
into heavier ones (as in sun).

Electrical the energy carried by electrons energy transferred from a battery to a bulb
potential energy
Radiated light energy from electromagnetic waves • light , Infra red
energy
sound energy due to vibrating particles in sound waves • sound from a loudspeaker

Geothermal Energy from heat underground – stored in the • Found in volcanoes and thermal
Earth’s core. springs.
Internal energy kinetic + potential energy -
 Energy

• 2 forms of energy are;

1. Kinetic Energy
2. Potential Energy
 1.Kinetic Energy:

• When an object increases its velocity (accelerates) its KE

increases.
• When an object decreases its velocity (decelerates) its KE
decreases.
• Object moving with constant velocity has a fixed KE which
is neither increasing or decreasing.

• The formula to calculate KE is:

Kinetic Energy(J) = ½ x Mass(kg) x Velocity2(m/s)

KE = ½ m v2
 2. Potential Energy

• Objects have P.E. if they have been moved into a position

from which they can do work when released.

a) Strain Potential Energy:

A stretched spring has Potential Energy, it does work when it
is allowed to spring back to its normal length.
b.) Gravitational Potential Energy:
• A ball held up in air has Potential Energy and does work when it is
allowed to fall down to the ground by its weight.
Eg: If a ball of mass (m) in kg is at a vertical height (h) in m above
the ground,
 Downward force on ball = mg
 Upward force needed to lift ball = mg
 Distance moved = h
 Work done in lifting the ball = mgh
• Gravitational Potential Energy = mgh
(Change in P.E) ΔEp = mgh
mass – Kg
g – m/s2
h–m
Gravitational Potential Energy – Joule
Conservation of Energy
Loss of P.E = gain of K.E
mgh = ½ mv2
• Example:
20 J -P.E.
 The chemical energy stored in your body is 0 J -K.E.
transferred to the ball as K.E.
 The K.E of the ball becomes P.E at height (h).
 When the ball falls its P.E converts to K.E at
the ground.
10 J -P.E.
 As the ball hits the ground the K.E is changed 10 J -K.E.
into thermal and sound energy and P.E
becomes zero.

0 J -P.E.
20 J -K.E.
Problem:
1. A boulder of mass 500 g rolls over a cliff and reaches the
beach below with a velocity of 30 m/s. Find;
a) K.E of boulder as it lands.
b) P.E of boulder when it was at the top of the cliff.
c) The height of the cliff.
 Work
• Work is done only when a force moves and in the
same direction as the force.
Work = force x distance moved in direction of force
W=Fxd
• Work is a type of energy transfer.
• The SI unit of work is Joule (J)
• Joule is the work done when a force of 1N moves the
object, a distance of 1m.
(1 Joule = 1 Newton meter)
 TRANSDUCER
• A transducer is a device that converts energy
from one form to another.
 Electric bell – electrical to sound
 Loud speaker – electrical to sound
 Electric fan – electrical to kinetic
 Microphone – sound to electrical
 Electric bulb – electrical to light + heat
 Battery – chemical to electrical
 Hair dryer – electrical to heat + kinetic + sound
 Television – electrical to light + sound
 Electric iron – electrical to heat
 POWER
• Power is a measure of how quickly work is being done.
• Power is expressed in the equation:
Power =  work done = energy transfer
time taken time taken
Power = F x d
t
• The unit of power is watt (W) or J/s
• Larger units are the kilowatt (kW) and megawatt (MW)
• 1 kW = 1000 W
• 1 MW = 1000000 W
 Problem
1. What is the power of an engine that does 3000J of work in
60s?
Answer:
Power = work done / time taken
Power = 3000J/60s
= 50W
 Energy transfers
Energy can transfer or move from one form to another in
different ways. Devices such as lamps and heaters may be
involved, or processes such as burning. For example, energy can
be transferred:
• by heating
• mechanically
• electrically
• by radiation
Conservation of energy
 Energy Efficiency

• There are no devices that are 100% efficient – all waste energy
in some way.
• Mostly, energy is wasted in the form of heat.
Eg: modern LED bulbs are more efficient than compact
fluorescent bulbs which are more efficient than old fashioned
filament bulbs.
Calculating Energy and Efficiency

 Total energy (J) = useful energy out (J) + wasted energy out (J)

 Efficiency (%) = useful energy out (J) X 100

total energy in (J)

 Efficiency (%) = work done on load (J) X 100

work done by effort(J)