Work, Energy and Power Class 11 Physics |

Notes
March 28, 2021 / Work, Energy and Power / By Ajay Jha

Work
Work is said to be done if a body gets displaced in the direction of applied force. It is a
scalar quantity. Its unit is Joule (J) in S.I. and erg in C.G.S. It is also defined as the dot

product of force ( F ) and displacement ( S ),

i.e. W = F .S

∴ W = FS Cosθ where θ is the angle between F and S .

Special cases:

1. When θ = 0º,

w = FScosθ = FScos0º = FS (+ve)

The positive sign shows that the work is done in the direction of applied force.

2. When θ = 180º

w = FScos180º = –FS (–ve)

The negative sign shows that the work is done in the direction opposite to applied
force.
3. When θ = 90º

w = FScos90º = 0 (+ve)

The +ve sign shows that the work is done in the direction of applied force.

Energy
The capacity of doing work is known as energy. It’s unit is Joule (J) in S.I. and erg in
C.G.S.

1J = 107 erg

Types of energy

1. Kinetic Energy (K.E.)

1
It is the energy possessed by a body due to its motion. It is given by K.E. = 2 mv2.

2. Potential Energy (P.E.)

It is the energy possessed by a body due to its position. It is given by P.E. = mgh

Mechanical energy

It is the sum of kinetic energy (K.E.) and potential energy (P.E.)

Power:
The rate of doing work is called power. It is given by

w F .S S
P= t = t =
F. t =
F. V = FVcosθ

If the displacement is produced is the direction of applied force, i.e. θ = 0º,

then P = wt = FV

–1
Its unit is Js–1 or watt (w)

1 K.W = 103w

1MW = 106w

1 H.P. = 746 w

1mW = 10–3w

1μW = 10–6w

1nw = 10–9w

Relation between K.E. and linear momentum (P)

Let us consider a body of mass ‘m’ moving with velocity ‘v’. Then we have

Linear momentum (P) = mv

1
and K.E. = 2 mv2

= 12 mv2× m
m

2 2
= 12 mmv

2
1 (mv)
=2 m

P2
∴ K.E. = 2m

Work – energy Theorem:

Work-energy theorem states that the change in kinetic energy of a body is equal to
work done.
Let us consider a body of mass ‘m’ moving with initial velocity ‘u’ at a point. If force ‘F’
is applied on it, it moves with constant acceleration ‘a’. After time ‘t’, its velocity
becomes ‘v’ at point B. Let ‘S’ be the displacement covered by the body in time ‘t’.

Then, the amount of work done on moving from A to B is

W = Fs

Or, W = mas …………… (i) [F = ma]

We have,

v2 = u2 + 2as

2 2
−u
Or, s = v 2a …… (ii)

From (i) and (ii),

2 2
v −u
W = ma 2a

1 1
Or, W = 2 mv2 – 2 mu2

Or, W = (K.E)final – (K.E)initial

∴W = ΔK.E

which is the work energy theorem.

If the body is moving in vertical direction under the action of gravity, then

ΔK.E. = ΔP.E.

∴W = ΔK.E. = ΔP.E.
Formulae

1. W = FScosθ

2. P = Wt = FVcosθ

For θ = 0O , P = Force× Velocity

2
P
3. K.E = 2m

4. W = ΔK.E = ΔP.E

Work done by Variable force

A force is said to be variable if it changes with respect to position.

Let us consider a variable force F(x) is applied on a body and the body displaces from
A to B in a fixed direction (X-axis). We can consider the entire displacement (AB) as a
sum of a number of infinitesimal displacements. Let PQ = dx is one of the
infinitesimal displacements. Then the small amount of work done in moving the body
from P to Q is given by

dw = F × dx = PS × PQ

or, dw = Area of rectangle PQTS

⌢
For dx→ 0, ST ≈ SR
∴ dw = area of strip PQRS ………… (i)

Now, the total work done in moving the object from A to B can be obtained by
integrating equation (i) from x = x1 to x = x2, we get,

x2 x2
w = ∫ dw = ∫ area of  strip P QRS
x1 x1

∴ w = area of ABCDA

This shows that the work done by the variable force is numerically equal to the area
between force curve and displacement axis.

Work done by constant force

Force is said to be constant if it does not change with respect to position.

Let us consider a body of mass ‘m’ moving with initial velocity ‘u’ at a point. If force ‘F’
is applied on it, it moves with constant acceleration ‘a’. After time ‘t’, its velocity
becomes ‘v’ at point B. Let ‘S’ be the displacement covered by the body in time ‘t’.

Then, the amount of work done on moving from A to B is

W = Fs

Or, W = ma s …………… (i) [∵F = ma]

We have,

v2 = u2 + 2as

v 2 −u2
Or, s = 2a ………… (ii)
From (i) and (ii),

2 2
−u
W = ma v 2a

1 1
Or, W = 2 mv2 – 2 mu2

Or, W = (K.E)final – (K.E)initial

∴W = ΔK.E

Hence, Work done by constant force is equal to change in kinetic energy of the body.

Principle of Conservation of energy (Mechanical):

Principle of Conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor
destroyed, but can be changed from one form to another form.

For a freely falling body, the total mechanical energy of the body remains constant
throughout the motion.

Let us consider an object of mass ‘m’ is initially at rest at point A, which is at a height
of ‘h’ from the ground level. The object is allowed to fall freely under the action of
gravity. After covering a distance ‘x’, it reaches point B and finally reaches the ground
level at point C.

At position A

Height = h and velocity = VA = 0

∴ K.EA = 12 mVA2 = 0

And P.EA = mgh

Now, mechanical energy at point A = (M.E.)A = K.EA + P.EA

= 0 + mgh

= mgh

∴ M.EA = mgh ……….. (i)

At position B

Height = h – x and velocity = VB

We know, VB2 = VA2 + 2aS

or, VB2 = VA2 + 2ghx

= 0 + 2gx

1
Now, K.EB = 2 m (VB)2

= 12 m × 2gx = mgx

P.EB = mg(h – x)

Now, mechanical energy at B, (M.E)B = K.EB + P.EB

= mgx + mg(h – x)

= mgx + mgh – mgx

= mgh
∴ M.EB = mgh ………… (ii)

At position C

Height = 0 and velocity = VC

We know,

VC2 = VA2 + 2gS

or, VC2 = 0 + 2gh

Now, K.EC = 12 m(VC)2 = 12 m × 2gh = mgh

P.EC = mgh × 0 = 0

Now, mechanical energy at C, M.EC = K.EC + P.EC

= mgh

∴ M.EC = mgh ……… (iii)

From (i), (ii) and (iii)

M.EA = M.EB = M.EC

This shows that for a freely falling body, the total energy (mechanical) remains
constant throughout the motion.
Fig: Variation of K.E. and P.E. with height

One dimensional collision

a. Elastic collision

A collision is said to be elastic if both linear momentum (P) and kinetic energy (K.E.)
remain conserved. There is no loss of energy in elastic collisions.

Let us consider two objects of masses ‘m1‘ and ‘m2‘ moving with velocities ‘u1‘ and ‘u2‘
respectively. Let ‘u1‘ is greater than ‘u2‘, then the two objects collide and more
separately with final velocities ‘v1‘ and ‘v2‘ respectively. Since the collision in elastic,
from conservation of linear momentum.

m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2

or, m1(u1 – v1) = m2(v2 – u2) ……….. (i)

And from conservation of kinetic energy,

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
2 m1u1 + 2 m2u2 = 2 m1v1 + 2 m2v2

or, m1(u12 – v12) = m2(u22 – v22) ………. (ii)

Dividing (ii) by (i),

u1 + v1 = u2 + v2

or, u1 – u2 = v2 – v1

∴ u1 – u2 = v2 – v1

Above result shows that velocity of approach is equal to the velocity of separation in
elastic collision, i.e. relative velocity of before collision is equal to that after collision.
elastic collision, i.e. relative velocity of before collision is equal to that after collision.

Further,

v1 = v2 + u2 – u1 ………. (iii)

And, v2 = v1 + u1 – u2 ……….. (iv)

From equation (i) and (iii),

m1[u1 – (v2 + u2 – u1)] = m2(v2 – u2)

or, m1[u1 – v2 – u2 + u1) = m2v2 – m2u2

or, 2m1u1 – m1u2 – m1v2 = m2v2 – m2u2

or, 2m1u1 – m1u2 + m2u2 = m1v2 – m2v2

or, 2m1u1 – u2(m1 – m2) = v2(m1 + m2)

2m1 u1 +u2 (m2 −m1 )

or, v2 = m1 +m2 ……….. (v)

From (i) and (iv),

m1(u1 – v1) = m2[(v1 + u1 – u2) – u2]

or, m1u1 – m1v1 = m2v1 + m2u1 – 2m2u2

or, m21 – m2u1 + 2m2u2 = m2v1 + m1v1

or, 2m2u2 + u1 (m1 – m2) = v1(m1 + m2)

2m2 u2 +u1 (m1 −m2 )

or, v1 = m1 +m2 ……….. (vi)

From (v) and (vi) give the final velocities of m2 and m1 respectively.
Special cases

1. Case I

When m1 = m2 = m (Say).

Then from equations (v) and (vi), we get,

2mu
v1 = 2m 2

∴ v1 = u2……….. (vii)

2mu
And, v2 = 2m 1

∴ v2 = u1……….. (viii)

Equations (vii) and (viii) show that in elastic collisions the colliding bodies exchange
their velocities if they have the same masses.

2. Case II

When m1 >>>> m2 and u2 = 0

Then from equations (v) and (vi), we get,

0+u1 m1
v1 ≈ m1

∴v1≈ u1

And, v2 ≈ 2u1

3. Case III

When m2 >>>> m1 and u2 = 0

Then from equations (v) and (vi), we get,

v1 ≈ – u1

And v2 ≈ 0

Q.1. Show that in one dimensional elastic collision, velocity of approach is equal to
velocity of separation.

i.e. [u1 – u2 = v2 – v1]

Q.2. Show that in one dimensional elastic collision, the colliding bodies exchange
their velocities (if they have the same masses). i.e. [u1 = v2 and u2 = v1]

b Inelastic collision

The collision is said to be inelastic if linear momentum is conserved but not the
kinetic energy. In inelastic collision, there is loss of kinetic energy.

Let us consider an object of mass ‘m1‘ moving with initial velocity ‘u1‘ collides with
another object of mass ‘m2‘, which is initially at rest (i.e. u2 = 0). After collision, the
colliding bodies combine and move together with common velocity ‘v’. Since the
collision is inelastic, only linear momentum is conserved, not the kinetic energy.

From the conservation of linear momentum,

m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v + m2v

Or, m1u1 + 0 = (m1 + m2)v [∵ m2 is initially at rest]

∴v= m1 u1
m1 +m2
……… (i)

The sum of K.E. before collision is

 1 1
K.E.1 = 2 m1u12 + 2 m1u22

∴ K.E.1 = 12 m1u12 …. (ii)

Now, the sum of K.E. after collision is

1 1
K.E.2 = 2 m1v2 + 2 m2v2

∴ K.E.2 = 12 (m1 + m2)v2…… (iii)

Dividing (ii) by (iii)

2
K.E.2 (m1 +m2 )v
K.E.1
= m1 u1 2

Using equation (i),

K.E.2 (m1 +m2 ) m1 u1 2

K.E.1 = m1 u1 2 ( m1 +m2 )

K.E. m
Or, K.E.21 = m1 +m
1
2

Or, K.E.2
K.E.1
<1

∴K.E.2 < K.E.1

Above relation shows that the kinetic energy after collision is less than that before
energy, i.e. there is loss in kinetic energy in inelastic collision.

Conservative Force
A force is said to be conservative if work done by it in a closed path (loop) is zero. The
work done by conservative force is path independent.

e.g. gravitational force, electrostatic force, magnetic force.

Non–conservative Force
A force is said to be non – conservative if work done by it in a closed path (loop) is not
zero. The work done by non – conservative force is path dependent.

e.g. viscous force, frictional force, etc.

Coefficient of Restitution (e):

It is defined as the ratio of velocity of separation to the velocity of approaches. It is
denoted by ‘e’ and given by

e = uv21 −v
−u2
1

(i) For perfectly elastic collision, e = 1

(ii) For perfectly inelastic collision, e = 0

(iii) Practice in collision, 0 < e < 1

Also Read: Laws of Motion Class 11

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