Work and

Energy
 Topics to be Covered
Work
Energy
Kinetic Energy
Potential Energy
Law of Conservation of Energy
Power
 Work
In daily life, work includes any effort, but in science, work is different.
Activities like reading, writing, or thinking use energy, but no work is done
scientifically.

→ Example: A man is completely exhausted in trying to

push a rock, but work done is zero as rock is stationary.

→ Example: A man standing still with heavy suitcase

may be tired soon but he does no work in this situation
as he is stationary.
 Work
Work is done when a force produces motion in a body.

→ Work is done when a force causes displacement in the direction of the

applied force.

Condition for work done:

Force should be applied on the body.

Body should be displaced.
 Case I

F s

Work done in moving a body is equal to the product of force and

displacement of body in the direction of force.

W=Fxs
 Case II

In vertical direction:
Force = F sinθ
Displacement = 0
W=Fxs
W=0

In horizontal direction:
Force = Fcosθ
Displacement = s

W = F.s.cosθ
θ = Angle between Force and Displacement
 Special Cases:

θ = 0° θ = 90° θ = 180°

W = F × s × cos(0°) W = F × s × cos(90°) W = F × s × cos(180°)

cos(0°) = 1 cos(90°) = 0 cos(180°) = -1

W=F×s W=0 W = -F × s

Positive Work Zero Work Negative Work

Rest Uniform Motion

F s
s F

s
F
Work done by Coolie or Porter:
Q. Look at the activities listed below.
Reason out whether or not work is done in the light of your
understanding of the term ‘work’
(i) Suma is swimming in a pond.
(ii) A donkey is carrying a load on its back.
(iii) A wind-mill is filling water from a well.
(iv) A green plant is carrying out photosynthesis.
(v) An engine is pulling a train.
(vi)Food grains are getting dried in the sun.
(vii) A sailboat is moving due to wind energy.
(i) Suma is swimming in a pond
Work is done: Suma applies a force to move herself through the water,
causing displacement.

(ii) A donkey is carrying a load on its back

No work is done: The force applied by the donkey is vertical (upward),
but the displacement is horizontal. Since the force and displacement
are not in the same direction, no work is done.

(iii) A windmill is filling water from a well

Work is done: The windmill applies a force to lift the water, causing
displacement in the direction of the force.
(iv) A green plant is carrying out photosynthesis
No work is done: Photosynthesis involves a chemical process, but
there is no displacement of the plant as a result of a force, so no
mechanical work is done.

(v) An engine is pulling a train

Work is done: The engine applies a force to move the train, and there
is displacement in the direction of the applied force.

(vi) Food grains are getting dried in the sun

No work is done: The drying process is due to heat, but there is no
mechanical displacement caused by a force.
(vii) A sailboat is moving due to wind energy
Work is done: The wind applies a force to the sailboat, causing it to
move, and there is displacement in the direction of the force.
Q. If a body is moving in the horizontal direction, then work done by
the force of gravity will be?
Zero, because gravity acts vertically, and displacement is horizontal.

Q. When a body is moving in a circular path then work done by the

centripetal force will be?
The work done by the centripetal force is zero. The centripetal force
always acts towards the center of the circle, while the displacement of
the body is tangential to the circular path. Since the force and
displacement are perpendicular, no work is done.
Q.A person carries a heavy load and walks on a level road. Is any work
being done in this case? Explain.
No, because the force (vertical) and displacement (horizontal) are
perpendicular, so no work is done.

Q. What is the work done by the force of gravity on a satellite moving

round the earth? Justify your answer.
Zero, since the force of gravity is perpendicular to the satellite's
displacement.
Q. A porter lifts a luggage of 15 kg from the ground and puts it on his
head 1.5 m above the ground. Calculate the work done by him on the
luggage.
Q. Chintulal applied a force of 10 N and moved a book 30 cm in the
direction of the force. How much work was done by Chintulal ?
Q. A force of 5 N is applied to an object, causing it to move 3 meters in
the direction of the force. Calculate the work done.
 Work Done by a Spring
When Spring is Compressed When Spring is Stretched

Force and displacement are in opposite Force and displacement are in opposite
directions, so work done by the spring is directions, so work done is negative.
negative. W = -F × s W = -F × s
 Units of Work Done:

W=Fxs W=Fxd
W = N-m erg = dyne-cm

SI Unit of Work done = Joule (J) 1 erg = 1 dyne-cm

1 Joule is the amount of work done when a force of 1 Newton displaces

an object by 1 meter in the direction of the force.
1 Joule (J)=1 Newton (N)×1 meter (m)
1 Joule = 1 Newton meter (N·m)
 Energy

Energy is defined as the ability to do work. Its unit is the same as that of
work. Energy is a scalar quantity.
SI unit of energy or work = Joule (Nm) or Kgm²s⁻².

1 Joule of energy is the amount of energy required to do 1 Joule of work.

1. Kinetic Energy: Energy due to motion.

2. Potential Energy: Energy due to height or position.
3. Chemical Energy: Stored in substances and released in reactions.
4. Heat Energy: Energy from hot objects or particles moving faster. Different Forms
5. Light Energy: Energy from light sources like the sun or a bulb.
6. Sound Energy: Energy from vibrating objects, creating sound.
7. Electrical Energy: Energy from electric current or moving charges.
of Energy
8. Nuclear Energy: Energy from splitting or joining atomic nuclei.
 Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its motion, whether
horizontal or vertical. It is a scalar quantity.
Kinetic energy is always positive and depends on the mass and velocity
of an object. The equation for kinetic energy is:

K.E = Kinetic Energy

M = mass of object
v = velocity of object
 DERIVATION:
Consider an object of mass m moving with an initial velocity u. When a constant force F acts on it over a
displacement s, the work done is:
W=F×s
This work causes the object’s velocity to change from u to v, with an acceleration a produced. The kinetic
energy is the work done in changing the velocity of the object.
 Work-Energy Theorem
The work-energy theorem, also known as the principle of work and kinetic
energy, states that the total work done by the sum of all the forces acting on
a particle is equal to the change in the kinetic energy of that particle. It can be
written as the equation:

W = △K.E.
Q. (a) If both the mass and the velocity of an object are doubled, what
will be the new kinetic energy compared to the original?
(b) If the mass is kept constant and the velocity is tripled, how many
times will the kinetic energy increase? Also find the percentage change
in Kinetic Energy?
Q. A bullet of mass 0.02 kg is fired with a velocity of 400 m/s. Calculate
the kinetic energy of the bullet.
Q. A car weighing 1000 kg and traveling at 30 m/s stops at a distance
of 50 m decelerating uniformly. What is the work done by the brakes?
Q. Two balls, A and B, have masses of 5 kg and 10 kg, respectively. Ball
A moves at a velocity of 15 m/s, and ball B at 10 m/s. Which ball has
more kinetic energy?
Q. The masses of scooters and bikes are in the ratio of 2:3, but both are
moving with the same speed of 108 km/h. Compute the ratio of their
kinetic energy.
Q. What is the work required to increase the velocity of a car from 36
km/h to 72 km/h if the mass of the car is 1500 kg?
 Potential Energy

Potential energy is the energy an object has due to its position,

properties, or forces acting on it. It allows the object to do more work.
For example, a stretched rubber band or a ball above the ground have
potential energy.

w = mgh
 Derivation of P.E.

onsider an object of mass “m” raised to a height h.

The force needed to lift the object is its weight
F=mg
Work done to raise the object:

W = Force × Displacement = mg × h = mgh

This work is stored as gravitational potential energy:

E P = mgh
 POTENTIAL ENERGY OF AN OBJECT AT A HEIGHT

Gravitational Potential Energy: The work done in raising an object from

the ground to a certain point against gravity.

E P = mgh

The potential energy depends on the chosen

reference level (ground level or zero level).
The work done by gravity depends on the
vertical height difference, not the path taken.
 Potential Energy: Examples
When an archer releases an arrow, the elastic potential energy stored in the
bowstring is converted into kinetic energy.

When someone jumps on a trampoline,

the springs in the bed store elastic
potential energy as they stretch.

When a ball hits the strings of a racket,

the strings deform and then return to
their original shape.
 Potential Energy: Examples
A stretched rubber band will return to its original shape when the force
stretching it is removed, as long as it's not stretched beyond its limit.

A spring gains energy when it's displaced from its equilibrium position.
Springs are often used to store energy and release it when needed, such as
in mousetraps or car suspension systems.
Q. Find the work done required to raise an object of mass 6 kg to a
height of 15 m and then bring it down to the height of 5 m. Also, find
the net work done.
Q. An object of mass 10 kg is raised to a height of 6 meters. Calculate
the potential energy possessed by the object. (Take g = 9.8 m/s²)
Q. A bag of wheat weighs 200 kg. To what height should it be raised so
that its potential energy may be 9800 J? (g = 9.8 m/s²)
Q. A car is accelerated on a level road and attains a velocity 4 times its
initial velocity. How does its potential energy change?
Q. A laborer, whose own mass is 50 kg, carries a load of an additional
60 kg on his head to the top of a building 15 m high. Find the total work
done by him. Also, calculate the work done if he carries an additional
block of mass 10 kg to the same height. (Take g=10 m/s²)
Q. A ball of mass 15 kg is thrown vertically upwards and reaches a
maximum height of 5.0 m. Calculate the work done by the force of
gravity during this vertical displacement.
 Law of Conservation of Energy
According to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or
destroyed. It can, however, be transformed from one form to another. When
all forms of energy are considered, the total energy of an isolated system
remains constant.
 Conversion of Potential and Kinetic Energy
Consider an object of mass m falling freely from a height h.
At the start:
Potential Energy (PE) = mgh
Kinetic Energy (KE) = 0 (since velocity = 0)
Total Energy = mgh
During the fall:
Potential Energy decreases as height decreases.
Kinetic Energy increases as velocity increases.
Just before reaching the ground:
PE = 0 (h = 0)
KE is at its maximum.

Total energy remains constant during the fall:

Potential Energy (PE)+Kinetic Energy (KE)=Constant
mgh + ½mv²= constant
Mechanical energy = P.E + K.E
Some other examples of Conservation of Energy:
Torch: Chemical energy (batteries) → Electrical energy → Light & heat energy.
Pendulum: Kinetic energy ↔ Potential energy (constant total energy).
Loudspeaker: Electrical energy → Sound energy.
Microphone: Sound energy → Electrical energy.
Generator: Mechanical energy → Electrical energy.
Burning fuels: Chemical energy → Heat & light energy.
Body metabolism: Chemical energy (food) → Thermal energy (body warmth).
Electric Bulb: Electrical energy → Light & Heat energy
Hydroelectric Power Plant: Water's potential energy → Kinetic energy (turbine) →
Electrical energy
Electric Heater: Electrical energy → Thermal energy
Reservoir: Potential energy → Kinetic energy → Mechanical energy → Electrical energy
Electric Fan: Electrical energy → Kinetic energy
Thermal Power Plant: Chemical energy (fuel) → Thermal energy → Kinetic energy
(turbine) → Electrical energy
Some other examples of Conservation of Energy:
Q. Two masses m and 2m are dropped from heights h and 2h. On
reaching the ground, which will have greater kinetic energy and why ?
Q. A stone of mass 2 kg is released from a height of 100 m. Calculate its
kinetic energy, potential energy, and total energy when it is halfway
down.
Q.An archer stretches a bow with an elastic potential energy of 200 J.
When the arrow is released, what will be its kinetic energy and velocity,
if the mass of the arrow is 0.5 kg? Use the law of conservation of
energy.
Q. A 10 kg ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 15
m/s. Calculate the maximum height reached by the ball using the law of
conservation of energy. Ignore air resistance.
 POWER
Power is defined as the rate of doing work. It is equivalent to an amount
of energy consumed per unit time.

Unit: Joule/sec

1 Watt is defined as the power required to do 1 Joule of work per second.

1 Watt=1 Joule/second(J/s)

Larger rates of energy transfer are measured in kilowatts (kW).

1 kW =1000 W = 1000 J/s
Average power is calculated by dividing the total energy consumed by the total time
taken, useful when power varies over time.
Q. A crane lifts a load of 500 kg to a height of 10 meters in 20 seconds.
Calculate the power of the crane.
Q. A lamp consumes 1000 J of electrical energy in 10 s. What is its
power ?
Q. Shobhit (70 kg) and Digraj sir (60 kg) climb a wall of height 20 m in
20 s and 10 s respectively. Who is more powerful?
 Commercial Unit of Energy
Kilowatt Hour (kW h)
The joule is a small unit, making it inconvenient to express large amounts of
energy. A larger unit of energy is the kilowatt hour (kW h).

If a machine uses 1000 J/s (1 kW) of energy and runs for 1 hour, it consumes
1 kW h.
6
1 kW h = 1000 W × 3600 s = 3.6×10 J

In households and industries, energy consumption is measured in kW h, often

referred to as 'units'.
1 unit = 1 kW h.
Q. An electric bulb of 60 W is used for 6 h per day. Calculate the
‘units’ of energy consumed in one day by the bulb.
1.A porter with a suitcase on his head is climbing up steps with uniform speed.
What is the work done by the 'weight of the suitcase' on the suitcase? Choose:
(a) negative
(b) positive
(c) zero
(d) undefined
2. Assertion (A): The energy possessed by an object of mass 10 kg when it is at a
height of 6 m above the ground is 588 J. Reason (R): Since work done on an
object at height is equal to mgh, energy equal to mgh is gained by the object.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct
explanation.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
3. The mass of body P is twice that of body Q, but its speed is half of Q. What is
the ratio of the kinetic energies of P and Q?
(a) 1:2
(b) 2:1
(c) 1:4
(d) 4:1
4. Two objects of masses 1 × 10³ kg and 4 × 10³ kg have equal momentum. What is
the ratio of their kinetic energies?
Options:
a) 2:1
b) 4:1
c) 1:4
d) 1:2
5. A stone is dropped from a certain height. As it falls, its potential energy
decreases. What happens to its kinetic energy?
Options:
a) It decreases
b) It remains the same
c) It increases
d) It becomes zero
“ Want power? First, do the ‘work’