IB Physics Work, Energy and Power Questions.

1.

2.

3.

An object of mass m1 has a kinetic energy K1. Another object of mass m2 has a kinetic energy
K1
K
K2. If the momentum of both objects is the same, the ratio 2 is equal to

A.

m2
m1 .

B.

m1
m2 .

C.

m2
m1

D.

m1
m2

A rocket is fired vertically. At its highest point, it explodes. Which one of the following
describes what happens to its total momentum and total kinetic energy as a result of the
explosion?
Total momentum

Total kinetic energy

A.

unchanged

increased

B.

unchanged

unchanged

C.

increased

increased

D.

increased

unchanged

The graph below shows the variation with displacement d of the force F applied by a spring on
a cart.

5
4

The work done by the force in moving the cart through a distance of

/ N

3
2
1
0

1
d

/ 10

2
m

2 cm is

A.

10 10 J.

B.

7 10 J.

C.

5 10 J.

D.

2.5 10 J.

2
2

(1)

4.

An electric motor is used to raise a weight of 2.0 N. When connected to a 4.0 V supply, the
current in the motor is 1.5 A. Assuming no energy losses, the best estimate for the maximum
steady speed at which the weight can be raised is
1

A.

0.3 m s .

B.

3.0 m s .

C.

9.0 m s .

D.

12.0 m s .

1
1

(1)

5.

The diagram below shows the variation with displacement x of the force F acting on an object in
the direction of the displacement.

F
R
Q

P
0 W
0

V
x1

T
x2

Which area represents the work done by the force when the displacement changes from x1 to x2?
A.

QRS

B.

WPRT

C.

WPQV

D.

VQRT
(1)

6.
An engine takes in an amount E of thermal energy and, as a result, does an amount W of
useful work. An amount H of thermal energy is ejected. The law of conservation of energy and the
efficiency of the engine are given by which of the following?
Law of conservation of energy

Efficiency

A.

E=W+H

B.

E=W+H

W
E

C.

E+H=W

W
H

D.

E+H=W

W
EH
(1)

7.

A machine lifts an object of weight 1.5 10 N to a height of 10 m. The machine has an overall
efficiency of 20%. The work done by the machine in raising the object is
3

A.

3.0 10 J.

B.

1.2 10 J.

C.

1.8 10 J.

D.

7.5 10 J.

4
4
4

(1)
8.

The variation with time of the vertical speed of a ball falling in air is shown below.

During the time from 0 to T, the ball gains kinetic energy and loses gravitational potential
energy Ep. Which of the following statements is true?
A.

Ep is equal to the gain in

kinetic energy.

B.

Ep is greater than the gain

C.

Ep is equal to the work done against air resistance.

D.

Ep is less than the work done against air resistance.

S pe ed

0
0

T ti m e

in kinetic energy.

(1)

9.

The diagram below represents energy transfers in an engine.

in p u t e n e rg y
E

e n g in e

u s e fu l o u tp u t e n e rg y
E

IN

O U T

w a s te d e n e rg y
EW
The efficiency of the engine is given by the expression
EW

A.

E IN

EW

B.

E OUT

E OUT

C.

E IN

E OUT

D.

EW

.
(1)
F

10.

A spring is compressed by a force F.

For a compression e, the force F is given by F = ke. When the compression force is removed,
the spring returns to its original length in time t. The best estimate for the power developed by
the spring during its expansion is

A.

ke
.
2t

B.

ke
.
t

C.

ke 2
.
2t

D.

ke 3
.
t
(1)

11. This question is about work, energy and power.

(a) Define the work done by a force.
(2)

A body of mass m is in a gravitational field of strength g. The body is moved through a distance h at
constant speed v in the opposite direction to the field.
(b) Derive an expression in terms of
(i)

m, g and h, for the work done on the body;

(2)

(ii) m, g and v, for the power required to move the body.

(2)

(c) A mass falls near the Earths surface at constant speed in still air. Discuss the energy changes, if
any, that occur in the gravitational potential energy and in the kinetic energy of the mass.
(3)

12.

This question is about projectile motion and the use of an energy argument to find the speed
with which a thrown stone lands in the sea.
Christina stands close to the edge of a vertical cliff and throws a stone. The diagram below (not
drawn to scale) shows part of the trajectory of the stone. Air resistance is negligible.
P

1 5 m s 1
O

25 m

sea
Point P on the diagram is the highest point reached by the stone and point Q is at the same
height above sea level as point O.

(a)

At point P on the diagram arrows to represent

(i)

the acceleration of the stone (label this A).

(1)

(ii)

the velocity of the stone (label this V).

(1)
1

The stone leaves Christinas hand (point O) at a speed of 15 m s in the direction shown. Her
hand is at a height of 25 m above sea level. The mass of the stone is 160 g. The acceleration due
2
to gravity g = 10 m s
(b)

(i)

Calculate the kinetic energy of the stone immediately after it leaves Christinas
hand.
(1)

(ii)

State the value of the kinetic energy at point Q.

(1)

(iii)

Calculate the loss in potential energy of the stone in falling from point Q to hitting
the sea.
(1)

(iv)

Determine the speed with which the stone hits the sea.
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

13.

This question is about power output of an outboard motor.

A small boat is powered by an outboard motor of variable power P. The graph below shows the
variation with speed v of P when the boat is carrying different loads.
5 .0
4 .5

350 kg

4 .0
3 .5
3 .0
P / kW

300 kg

2 .5
2 .0
1 .5

250 kg

1 .0

200 kg

0 .5
0 .0

0 .0

0 .5

1 .0

1 .5

2 .0
2 .5
v / m s1

3 .0

3 .5

4 .0

The masses shown are the total mass of the boat plus passengers,

(a)

For the boat having a steady speed of 2.0 m s and with a total mass of 350 kg
(i)

use the graph to determine the power of the engine.

(1)

(ii)

calculate the frictional (resistive) force acting on the boat.

(2)
1

Consider the case of the boat moving with a speed of 2.5 m s .

(b)

(i)

Use the axes below to construct a graph to show the variation of power P with the
total mass W.

200

250

300

350

400

450
W / kg
(6)

(ii)

Use data from the graph that you have drawn to determine the output power of the
motor for a total mass of 330 kg.
(1)
(Total 10 marks)

14.

This question is about estimating energy changes for an escalator (moving staircase).
The diagram below represents an escalator. People step on to it at point A and step off at point
B.
B

30m

(a)

40

The escalator is 30 m long and makes an angle of 40 with the horizontal. At full
capacity, 48 people step on at point A and step off at point B every minute.
(i)

Calculate the potential energy gained by a person of weight 7.0 10 N in moving

from A to B.
(2)

(ii)

Estimate the energy supplied by the escalator motor to the people every minute
when the escalator is working at full capacity.
(1)

(iii)

State one assumption that you have made to obtain your answer to (ii).
(1)

The escalator is driven by an electric motor that has an efficiency of 70%.

(b)

Using your answer to (a) (ii), calculate the minimum input power required by the motor
to drive the escalator.
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

15.

The point of action of a constant force F is displaced a distance d. The angle between the force
and the direction of the displacement is , as shown below.

Which one of the following is the correct expression for the work done by the force?
A.

Fd

B.

Fd sin

C.

Fd cos

D.

Fd tan
(1)

16.

This question is about driving a metal bar into the ground.

Large metal bars can be driven into the ground using a heavy falling object.
o b je c t
m a s s = 2 .0 1 0 3 k g

bar
m ass = 400 kg

In the situation shown, the object has a mass 2.0 10 kg and the metal bar has a mass of
400 kg.
1

The object strikes the bar at a speed of 6.0 m s . It comes to rest on the bar without bouncing.
As a result of the collision, the bar is driven into the ground to a depth of 0.75 m.
(a)

Determine the speed of the bar immediately after the object strikes it.

(4)

10

(b)

Determine the average frictional force exerted by the ground on the bar.
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

17.

Electric motor (NOTE TO SOLVE THIS YOU NEED TO KNOW SOME STUFF FROM
THE ELETRIC CIRUITS UNIT The power of a motor is given by P=I2R or P=IV
where I is current, V is voltage and R is resistance)
(a)

In an experiment to measure the efficiency of a small dc electric motor, the motor is

clamped to the edge of a bench. The motor is used to raise a small weight that is attached
to a pulley wheel by cotton thread. The pulley wheel is rotated by the motor. The thread
wraps around the pulley wheel, so raising the weight.
axel
m o to r

p u lle y w h e e l

c o tto n th re a d

w e ig h t
S id e v ie w

E n d -o n -v ie w

The time taken for the motor to raise the weight through a certain height is measured. It is
assumed that the weight accelerates uniformly whilst being raised. The weight of the
cotton thread is negligible.
(i)

Draw a labelled free-body force diagram of the forces acting on the accelerating
weight.
(3)

(ii)

The weight has a mass of 15 g and it takes 2.2 s to raise it from rest through a
height of 0.84 m. Calculate the tension in the thread as the weight is being raised.
2
(Acceleration of free fall g = 10 m s .)
(4)

(b)

In a second experiment, the current is adjusted so that the weight of mass 15 g is raised at
constant speed. The motor is connected to a 6.0 V supply and it now takes the motor 3.4 s
to raise the weight through 0.84 m.
(i)

Suggest how it might be determined that the weight is being raised at constant
speed.
(2)

11

(ii)

Determine the power delivered to the weight by the motor. (Acceleration of free
2
fall g = 10 m s .)
(2)

(iii)

The current in the motor is 45 mA. Estimate the efficiency of the motor.
(2)
(Total 13 marks)

18.

Mechanical power
(a)

Define power.
(1)

(b)

A car is travelling with constant speed v along a horizontal straight road. There is a total
resistive force F acting on the car.
Deduce that the power P to overcome the force F is
P = Fv.
(2)

(c)

A car drives up a straight incline that is 4.80 km long. The total height of the incline is
0.30 km.

4 .8 0 k m
0 .3 0 k m

The car moves up the incline at a steady speed of 16 m s . During the climb, the average
2
resistive force acting on the car is 5.0 10 N. The total weight of the car and the driver
4
is 1.2 10 N.
(i)

Determine the time it takes the car to travel from the bottom to the top of the
incline.
(2)

(ii)

Determine the work done against the gravitational force in travelling from the
bottom to the top of the incline.
(1)

(iii)

Using your answers to (i) and (ii), calculate a value for the minimum power output
of the car engine needed to move the car from the bottom to the top of the incline.
(4)

(iv)

State one reason why your answer to (iii) is only an estimate.

(1)
(Total 11 marks)
12