Work, Power, and

Energy
Discover the fascinating
world of work, power, and
energy. Learn about their
definitions, principles,
types, conservation, and
real-life applications.

AV by Anamarie Valdez
Definition of Work

What is work? Examples

Work is the Lifting a

measure of Formula box,
energy pushing a
transfer that Work (W) = Force (F) ×
cart, or
occurs when Distance (d) × cos(θ).
climbing
an object is stairs.
moved against
a force.
Work-Energy Principle

1 Concept 2 Formula 3 Illustration

The work Work (W) A ball rolling
done on an = Change down a hill
object is in Kinetic gathers speed
equal to the Energy due to the
change in its (ΔKE). work done by
kinetic the
energy. gravitational
force.
 Types of Energy

Potential Energy Kinetic Energy Thermal Energy

The stored energy of an The energy The internal energy
object based on its possessed by of an object due to
position or condition. a moving the motion of its
object due to particles.
its motion.

Chemical Energy

The energy stored in

the bonds between
atoms.
Conservation of Energy
Illustration
A swinging pendulum's potential energy
converts to kinetic energy and back.
1 Principle
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed,
only transferred or transformed.
2
3 Real-Life Example
A roller coaster transforming potential energy
into kinetic energy throughout the ride.
Power and Its Relation
to Work
1 Definition 2 Formula

Power is the rate at which work Power (P) = Work (W) / Time
is done or energy is transferred. (t).

3 Real-Life Example

A light bulb's power rating indicating how quickly electrical energy is

converted to light.
Calculating Power

Step 1: Step 2: Measure Step 3: Compute

Calculate Work Time Power
Determine the Record the Divide the
amount of work time it takes work by the
done in a given to complete time to find
situation. the work. the power.
 Real-Life Applications of Work,
Power, and Energy

Solar Energy Hydropower Wind Power

Converts sunlight into electrical Harnesses the energy of flowing Transforms the kinetic energy of
energy using photovoltaic cells. water to generate electricity. wind into mechanical or electrical
energy.
 Physicist’s definition of “work”

(n A s
ot dist∥
ca
a l
ve ar
ct
or dist
)

Work = F x dist∥
Atlas holds up the Earth
But he doesn’t move,
dist∥ = 0

Work= Fx dist∥ = 0

He doesn’t do any work!

Garcon does work when
he picks up the tray

but not while he

carries it around
the room

dist is not zero,

but dist∥ is 0
 o r
c t n
Why this definition? ve atio
A qu
e

Newton’s 2nd law: F=m a

A Definition of work
eq sca
ua lar + a little calculus
tio
n

Work= change in ½mv2

This scalar quantity is given
a special name: kinetic energy
Work = change in KE

This is called:

the Work-Energy Theorem

 Units

Kinetic Energy = ½mv2

m
kg 2
2

s
work = F x dist∥ same!
=1Joule
m
N m =kg 2 m
s
 Work done by gravity
end

start
dist dist∥
change in
vertical height
W=mg
Work = F x dist∥
= -mg x change in height
= -change in mg h
 Gravitational Potential Energy

Workgrav = -change in mgh

This is called:
“Gravitational Potential
Energy” (or PEgrav)

change
Workgrav
in PE
= -change
grav = -Work
in PE
grav
grav
 If gravity is the only force
doing work….
Work-energy theorem:

-change in mgh = change in ½ mv2

0 = change in mgh + change in ½ mv2

change in (mgh + ½ mv2) = 0

mgh + ½ mv2 = constant

 Conservation of energy

mgh + ½ mv2 = constant

Gravitational Kinetic energy
Potential energy

If gravity is the only force that does work:

PE + KE = constant

Energy is conserved
Free fall
height
(reminder)
t = 0s 80m
V0 = 0

t = 1s 75m

V1 = 10m/s
60m
t = 2s
V2 = 20m/s

t = 3s 35m
V3 = 30m/s

t = 4s
0m
V4 = 40m/s
m=1kg free falls from 80m
t = 0s mgh ½ mv2 sum
V0 = 0 h0=80m 800J 0 800J
t = 1s
V1 = 10m/s; h1=75m 750J 50J 800J

t = 2s
V2 = 20m/s; h2=60m 600J 200J 800J

t = 3s
V3 = 30m/s; h3=35m 350J 450J 800J

t = 4s
V4 = 40m/s; h4=0 0 800J 800J
pendulum

W=mg

Two forces: T and W

T is always to the motion

┴
 Pendulum conserves energy
E=mghmax
E=mghmax

hmax

E=1/2 m(vmax)2
Roller coaster
 Work done by a spring
Relaxed
Position
F=0

x
F
I compress
the spring

(I do + work;
spring does
-work)
Work done by spring = - change in ½ kx2
 Spring Potential Energy

Workspring = -change in ½ kx2

This is the:
“Spring’s Potential
Energy” (or PEspring)

Workspring = -change in PEspring

change in PEspring = -Workspring
 If spring is the only force doing
work….
Work-energy theorem:

-change in ½ kx2 = change in ½ mv2

0 = change in ½ kx2 + change in ½ mv2

change in ( ½ kx2 + ½ mv2) = 0

½ kx2 + ½ mv2 = constant

 Conservation of energy
springs & gravity

mgh + ½ kx2 + ½ mv2 = constant

Gravitational spring Kinetic energy
potential energy potential energy

If elastic force & gravity are the only force doing work:
PEgrav + PEspring + KE = constant

Energy is conserved
 example

grav PE

KineticE

Spring PE
 Two types of forces:

“Conservative” forces “Dissipative” forces

forces that do + & – work forces that only do – work

•Gravity •Friction

•Elastic (springs, etc) •Viscosity

•Electrical forces •….

-work  heat
•…
-work  (no potential energy.)
change in PE
(-)Work done by frictionheat
 Thermal atomic motion
Air solid

Heat energy= KE and PE associated with

the random thermal motion of atoms
 Work-energy theorem
(all forces)
Workfric = change in (PE+KE)
Work done potential energy
dissipative Kinetic
From all energy
Forces Conservative forces
(always -)

-Work
Work fric
fric = = change
-change in
in heat
heat energy
energy

-change in Heat Energy =

change in (PE+KE)
 Work – Energy Theorem
(all forces)
0 = change in Heat Energy +
change in (PE+KE)
0 = change in (Heat Energy+PE+KE)

Heat Energy + PE + KE = constant

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy conversion while skiing
Potential energy

Potential energykinetic energy

Friction: energy gets

converted to heat
 Units
Heat units:
1 calorie = heat energy required to raise the
temp of 1 gram of H2O by 1o C
Kg m2/s2

1 calorie= 4.18 Joules

 Food Calories
1 Calorie = 1000 calories = 1Kcalorie
The Calories you read on food labels

1 Calorie= 4.18x103 Joules

7 x 106 J

8 x 105 J 2 x 106 J
 Power

amout of energy
Rate of using energy: Power = elapsed time

Joule
Units: 1 second = 1 Watt

A 100 W light bulb

consumes 100 J of
electrical energy each
second to produce light
 Power
• Power is a measure of how quickly work is
done. The faster work is done, the greater
the power.
• Formally, power is the amount of work
done in a given amount of time. If work W
is done in time t, then the power delivered
is defined as follows:

© 2014 Pearson
Education, Inc.
 Power

• To be powerful, an engine must produce a

substantial amount of work in a relatively
short time. Similarly, you produce more
power when running up a flight of stairs
than when walking up.

© 2014 Pearson
Education, Inc.
 Power

• The unit of power is the watt (W). The watt,

named after Scottish engineer James Watt, is
defined as 1 joule per second. Thus,
1 watt = 1 W = 1 J/s
• A typical compact fluorescent lightbulb has a
power of 23 W.
• Another familiar unit of power is the horsepower
(hp). The horsepower is defined as follows:
1 horsepower = 1 hp = 746 W
© 2014 Pearson
Education, Inc.
 Power
• Human power output is limited to about 1
hp.
• A leisurely walk up a flight of stairs
requires about 130 W, or 1/6 hp. A person
running up the same stairs might be able
to produce a little over hp.
• Examples of power appear in the table
below.

© 2014 Pearson
Education, Inc.
 Power
• Power output is an important factor in the performance of
a car.
• The greater the power, the less the time it takes a car to
accelerate.
• Power depends on force and speed. As a car travels a
distance d, the work done by the engine W = Fd, and the
power it delivers is

• Therefore, power is equal to force times speed.

© 2014 Pearson
Education, Inc.
 Other units

Over a full day, a work-horse can

have an average work output of
more than 750 Joules each second

1 Horsepower = 750 Watts

 Kilowatt hours
energy
Power = time  energy = power x time

 power unit x time unit = energy unit

Elec companies use: Kilowatts x

hours
(103 W) (3600 s)

1 kilowatt-hour = 1kW-hr

= 103 W x 3.6x103 s = 3.6x106 Ws

J

HECO charges us about 15 cents /kW-hr