STE 2105 General Physics 1 Instructional Materials

Lesson 7: Work, Energy and Power

Introduction

If you want to move an object/system, you need to either push or pull to exert effort; and by
applying force/s changes the objects motion/state. Whenever an object moved from one place to
another as a result by this force/s then the work is done on the system/object.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Calculate dot or scalar product of vectors

• Determine the work done by a force on a system
• Explain the properties and effects of conservative and non-conservative forces
• Solve problems involving work, energy conservation and power

Discussion

Scalar Product

The product between the projection of a vector and the other vector that yields to result which is
a scalar quantity

Figure 5.1 Dot product 𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙

Figure 5.1 shows the scalar or dot product of vectors 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵 ⃗⃗. The vectors are connected by
placing both tails on the same point. The angle between two vectors ranges only from 0 to 180.
⃗⃗ onto vector 𝐴⃗, this projection is equal to B cos . The
The figure also shows projection of vector 𝐵
dot product can now be expressed as:
𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙 5.1
STE 2105 General Physics 1 Instructional Materials

Alternatively, can define 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝐵 ⃗⃗ multiplied by component of vector 𝐴⃗

⃗⃗ to be the magnitude of 𝐵

Figure 5.2 Dot product 𝐵𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙

Hence,
𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙 = 𝐵𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙

The dot product of unit vectors is:

𝑖̂ ∙ 𝑖̂ = (1)(1) cos 0 = 1
𝑗̂ ∙ 𝑗̂ = 𝑘̂ ∙ 𝑘̂ = 1
𝑖̂ ∙ 𝑖̂ = (1)(1) cos 0 = 1
𝑖̂ ∙ 𝑗̂ = (1)(1) cos 90 = 0
𝑗̂ ∙ 𝑘̂ = 𝑘̂ ∙ 𝑖̂ = 0
Thus, dot product of identical unit vector is 1, while dot product of two different unit vectors is 0.

Dot product algebraically:

𝐴̂ ∙ 𝐵̂ = (𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂) ∙ (𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂)
𝐴̂ ∙ 𝐵̂ = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧
Example 5.1: given the vectors
𝐴 = 4𝑖̂̂ +3𝑗̂̂−5𝑘; and 𝐵 = 4𝑖̂̂ +3𝑘

Find: (a) 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝐵
⃗⃗

(b) Angle between 𝐴⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵

⃗⃗

Solution:

for (a)
𝐴̂ ∙ 𝐵̂ = 4(4) + 3(0) − 5(3)

𝐴̂ ∙ 𝐵̂ = 16 + 0 − 15 = 1
STE 2105 General Physics 1 Instructional Materials

For (b)

𝐴̂ ∙ 𝐵̂ = 𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜙
Solve for 𝜙

−1
𝐴̂ ∙ 𝐵̂
𝜙 = cos
𝐴𝐵
1
𝜙 = cos −1
√50(5)

𝜙 = 88.4°
Work

We define work as a result of applied force and the objects displacement and its SI unit is Joule:

1 Joule = 1 Newton (1 meters)

𝑊 = 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑⃗ 5.2

𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑 cos 𝜙
Work can either be positive, negative or zero

Figure 5.3 Identifying work

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Example 5.2: (a) How much work is needed to lift a bag of groceries that weighs 200N to a height
of 1.5m ? (b) how much work is needed to lift the bag of twice weight at 1.5 m?

Solution: we still need to draw FBD in order to solve problems regarding work. But for now, since
the applied force is only one and is parallel to displacement, then it is convenient not to draw FBD
for this problem.

(a)
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑 cos 𝜙

𝑊 = 200𝑁(1.5𝑚) cos 0

𝑊 = 300 𝐽

(b)
𝑊 = 400𝑁(1.5𝑚) cos 0

𝑊 = 600 𝐽

Just like how we treat several forces acting on a single body. We can also get the sum of each
work done by various forces to solve for the total work done upon the object.

Example 5.3: If you pushed a crate of 100N on a frictionless surface by 12N of force forward and
displaced for 5 m. calculate the total work done on the crate.

Solution: Draw FBD

Normal

Displacement

Crate Applied force

Weight

Three forces acts on the crate: weight, normal force and applied force. The total work is now:

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2 + … 5.3
STE 2105 General Physics 1 Instructional Materials

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0 + 0 + 12𝑁(5𝑚) cos 0

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 60 𝐽

Work as Area Under the Curve of a Force-Position Graph

Example 5.3: Given the force vs position graph, solve for the work done.

Figure 5.4 Force vs Position graph

Solution:

The work is area of the trapezoid;

1
𝑊 = (𝑏1 + 𝑏2 )ℎ
2
1
𝑊 = 15𝑚 + 7𝑚)8𝑁
2

𝑊 = 88 𝐽

Power

Amount of work done per unit of time. Has SI unit of Watt: 1 watt = J/s

∆𝑊 𝐹∆𝑥
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = = 𝐹𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 5.4
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡
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Instantaneous power is given by:

𝑑 𝑑𝑟⃗
𝑃= ∫ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 𝐹⃗ = 𝐹𝑣 cos 𝜃
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

1 horsepower = 746 watts.

1 calorie (cal) = 4.186 J

1 Calorie (food calorie, Cal) = 1000 cal = 1 kcal

Energy

A scalar quantity; an extensive property of a physical system. It is the capability to change the
state of a system. The SI unit of energy is Joule.

Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but can be changed into different forms. The two major
categories of energy are kinetic energy known as energy in motion and potential energy known
as energy at rest or stored energy.

Table 5.1 Forms of Energy

Word-Energy Theorem

Consider an object of mass m with initial velocity v1 moving on a straight line. A constant net force
is applied on the object as the object moves from x1 to x2 having a constant acceleration as velocity
approaches v2.
STE 2105 General Physics 1 Instructional Materials

Figure 5.5 Object moving in a straight line

The net work done on the object is:

𝑥
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∫𝑥 2 𝐹𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹𝑥 [𝑥(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )]

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )

And since we have constant acceleration:

2 2
𝑣2𝑥 = 𝑣1𝑥 + 2𝑎𝑥 ∆𝑥
2 2
𝑣2𝑥 − 𝑣1𝑥
= 𝑎𝑥 ∆𝑥
2
Then,

2 2
𝑣2𝑥 − 𝑣1𝑥
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚( )
2
1 1
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝑣22 − 𝑚𝑣12
2 2
1
𝑇 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∆𝑇 5.5

Thus, the net work done on an object is equal to the change of kinetic energy.
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Example 5.4: how much work must be done to an object of mass 2 kg initially at rest, to have a
velocity of 10 m/s ?

Solution:

𝑊 = 𝑇2 − 𝑇1

1
𝑇 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2
1
𝑊 = 2𝑘𝑔(10𝑚/𝑠)2
2

𝑊 = 100 𝐽

Potential Energy and Work Done by Gravitational Force

The work done by weight or gravitational force on a uprising object is

𝑦2
𝑊𝑔 = ∫ 𝐹 𝑑𝑦 cos 180°
𝑦1

𝑦2
= −𝑚𝑔 ∫ 𝑑𝑦
𝑦1

𝑊𝑔 = −(𝑚𝑔𝑦2 − 𝑚𝑔𝑦1 )

𝑊𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔𝑦1 − 𝑚𝑔𝑦2

𝑊𝑔 = −∆𝑉𝑔 5.6

Example 5.5: A 1200-kg roller coaster car moves from point 1 to point 2, and then to point 3. (a)
What is the gravitational potential energy at 2 and 3 relative to point 1? (b) What is the change
in potential energy when car undergoes from points 2 to 3?
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Figure 5.6 Roller coaster path

Solution:

(a)
𝑉2𝑔 = 1200𝑘𝑔 (9.8 𝑚⁄ 2 ) (10𝑚) = 117,600𝐽
𝑠

𝑉3𝑔 = 1200𝑘𝑔 (9.8 𝑚⁄ 2 ) (−15𝑚) = −176,400𝐽

𝑠
(b)
𝑉3𝑔 − 𝑉2𝑔 = −176,400𝐽 − 117, 600𝐽 = −294, 000𝐽

Work Done by Elastic Force

A block on a horizontal, frictionless surface is connected to a spring. The spring force or

restoring force, FS exerted by the spring on a mass attached to it as it displaces is

𝐹𝑠 = −𝑘𝑥 5.7

where x is the position of the block relative to its equilibrium (x = 0) position and k is the spring
constant which determines the stiffness of the spring. This force law for springs is called as
Hooke’s Law.

if the block undergoes an arbitrary displacement from x1 to x2, the work done by the spring force
on the block is

𝑥2
1
𝑊𝑒 = ∫ −𝑘𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = − 𝑘𝑥 2 (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )
𝑥1 2

1 1
𝑊𝑒 = 𝑘𝑥12 − 𝑘𝑥22
2 2
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𝑊𝑒 = −∆𝑉𝑒

Conservative vs Non-Conservative forces

Conservative forces are path independent and reversible. They have hey have these two
equivalent properties:

1. The work done by a conservative force on a particle moving between any two points is
independent of the path taken by the particle.
2. The work done by a conservative force on a particle moving through any closed path is
zero. (A closed path is one in which the beginning and end points are identical.)

Gravitational force or weight and elastic force or spring force are example of conservative forces.
In general the change in potential energy associated with a conservative force is equal to the
negative of the work done by that force if the object is moved from one point to another point.

𝑊𝑐 = −∆𝑉 5.8

A force is non-conservative if it does not satisfy properties 1 and 2 for conservative forces. The
net force acting on an object or system is equal to the sum of the conservative and non-
conservative forces. Thus, the net work can be written as:

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∫ 𝐹⃗𝑛𝑒𝑡 ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫(𝐹⃗𝐶 + 𝐹⃗𝑁𝐶 ) ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∫ 𝐹⃗𝐶 ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ + ∫ 𝐹⃗𝑁𝐶 ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗

𝑊𝑁𝐶 = 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 − 𝑊𝑐

From equation the general form of work-energy theorem is

𝑊𝑁𝐶 = ∆𝑇 + ∆𝑉 5.9

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

When the work done by non-conservative forces are zero. Then,

0 = ∆𝑇 + ∆𝑉

0 = 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 + 𝑉2 − 𝑉1
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𝑇1 + 𝑉1 = 𝑇2 + 𝑉2

The mechanical energy is defined as

𝐸 ≡𝑇+𝑉 5.10

Conservation of Mechanical energy

5.11
𝐸1 = 𝐸2

Energy Diagrams

These diagrams show the relative potential energy of a system

Figure 5.7 Energy Diagram

Equilibrium condition:
𝑑𝑉
𝐹𝑥 = − =0 5.12
𝑑𝑥
Types of equilibrium: equilibrium point x=a
STE 2105 General Physics 1 Instructional Materials

Lesson 7: Work, Energy and Power

Assessment

Instruction. Tell which law of motion explains the following questions (1-4). Place your answer on
the provided answer sheet.

1. An ideal spring of negligible mass is 12.00 cm long when nothing is attached to it. When
you hang a 3.15-kg weight from it, you measure its length to be 13.40 cm. If you wanted
to store 10.0 J of potential energy in this spring, what would be its total length? Assume
that it continues to obey Hooke’s law.

2. A 10.0-kg box is pulled by a horizontal wire in a circle on a rough horizontal surface for
which the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.250. Calculate the work done by friction during
one complete circular trip if the radius is (a) 2.00 m and (b) 4.00 m.

3. A 0.65-kg ball undergoes free-fall from a height of 1.00 m above the ground find the ff.
(a) Using the kinematic equation for uniformly acceleration motion, determine the speed
at the given vertical positions above the ground
(b) Find the corresponding kinetic energy, potential energy and mechanical energy for
every vertical position.
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ASSESSMENT ANSWER SHEET

Name: ______________________________________________

Course, Yr & Sec: ______________________________________________

Date of Submission: ______________________________________________

Lesson # _____: __________________________________________

Assessment is given after each lesson. Summarize your answers on the table given below.

Question # Answer
1

3.