Work,

Energy and
Power
Presentation done by: Alandzo Bird
Think About It!
Suppose you and your peer need to push
a huge crate. How does the movement of
the crate change when both of you push
in the same direction as opposed to
when you and your peer push in opposite
directions?

Share your answers with your partner.

This PowerPoint will cover
the following:
 What is “Work”? 🤔
Work is defined as the transfer of energy to an object when a force
acts upon it and causes it to move.

It can also be defined using the formula below:

Work(W)=Force(F)×Displacement(d)× COS (θ)

Where:
Force (F) is the applied force in newtons (N),
Displacement (x) is the distance the object moves in meters (m)
θ is the angle between the direction of the force and the direction of
displacement.
 Units of Work
The standard unit of work in the International System of Units
(SI) is theJoule (J). One joule is the amount of work done when
a force of one newton acts over a
displacement of one meter.

The Joule (J) unit can also be written as:

kg ⋅ m^2s^2 or N/m or Nm^2

 Conditions for Work to be done
For work to be done on an object:

There must be a force acting on the object.

The object must undergo displacement in the direction of the applied force.
If there is no displacement, no work is done, even if a force is applied.

For example, if you push against a wall and it doesn’t move, you're
applying force, but no work is done because the displacement is zero.
 Work done by different
forces
Positive Work Zero Work
Negative Work
When the force and the When there is no
displacement are in the When the force and the displacement or when the
same direction (e.g., displacement are in force is perpendicular to
pushing a box forward). opposite directions (e.g., the displacement.
Example: Pushing a sled friction acting against the Example: Holding a heavy
across the snow. The force motion of an object). box stationary in your
you exert and the Example: A car's brakes. hands. No displacement
displacement are in the The frictional force means no work is done,
same direction, so the opposes the movement, so even though you're
work is positive. the work done by friction is exerting a force
negative, converting kinetic
energy into heat.
 What is “Energy”? 👀
Energy is the ability to do work. It exists in various forms and can be
transferred or transformed from one type to another but cannot be created
or destroyed (conservation of energy).

Energy carries the same SI unit as Work, Joule (J).

NB: There is no fixed formula for Energy as it can be

interpreted differently based on the situation.
 Types of Energy
Energy comes in various forms such as:

Kinetic Energy Chemical Energy

Potential Energy Thermal Energy

Gravitational Potential Energy Nuclear Energy

Elastic Potential Energy Electrical Energy

 Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is a form of energy that an object or a particle has
by reason of its motion.
 Potential Energy
Stored energy due to an object’s position or state. The most
common types are: Gravitational and Elastic Potential Energy.

Formula: U = mgh
Gravitational Potential Energy
Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object has due to
its position above Earth, energy due to its height.
 Elastic Potential Energy
Elastic potential energy is energy stored as a result of applying a
force to deform an elastic object. The energy is stored until the
force is removed and the object springs back to its original
shape, doing work in the process.
 Chemical Energy
Energy stored in the bonds of molecules (e.g., in food or fuel).
 Thermal Energy
Energy due to the temperature of an object, often caused by the
motion of particles.
 Electrical Energy
Electrical energy is energy that results from the movement of
charged particles, such as electrons, through a conductor.
 Nuclear Energy
Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom, released in processes
like fission or fusion.
 Work - Energy Theorem
The Work-Energy Theorem states that:

The work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.

Formula:

W = ΔKE
Where, W is work
Δ, is for “change in”
KE, standa for kinetic Energy
 Conservation of Energy
The Law of Conservation of Energy
States that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it
can only be transformed from one form to another.
In an isolated system, the total energy remains
constant.

Formula:
 Mechanical Energy
In the absence of friction, the sum of the kinetic and
potential energy in a system remains constant.

Formula:

EM = EK + EP
Where, EM stands for Mechanical Energy
EK, stands for Kinetic Energy
EP, stands for Potential Energy
 Energy Transformation
Energy can transform between different forms.
For example, in a roller coaster, potential energy at the top
of the hill is converted to kinetic energy as it moves down.

Efficiency: Not all energy

transformations are perfect. Some
energy is often lost as heat due to
friction or other factors.
 POWER
Power is the rate at which work is done
or energy is transferred.
It tells you how fast energy is being used
or transferred.
The unit of power is the Watt (W), where
1 watt equals 1 joule per second
(1 W = 1 J/s).
 More Information Formula

Power is about how quickly you can Power (P) = Work (W) / Time(t)
do something, like lifting a box or
turning on a light. P = Power (in watts, W)
W = Work done (in joules, J)
If you do the same amount of work, t = Time taken to do the work
but you do it faster, you are using
(in seconds, s)
more power. If you do the same
work, but take longer, you are using
less power. PS: The formula for power tells you how
much work is done every second.
 Energy Conversion
Energy comes in various forms,
such as mechanical, thermal,
chemical, electrical, and nuclear.
The conversion between these
forms often involves efficiency
losses, typically as heat. Below are
examples of energy forms and
their conversion in industry and
everyday life.
 Energy Conversion Cont’d
Mechanical to Electrical Electrical to Mechanical
Energy Energy

• Example: Wind turbines convert • Example: Electric motors used in

the kinetic energy of wind into manufacturing (e.g., conveyor belts).
electrical energy.
• Efficiency: Can exceed 90% for high-
• Efficiency: Modern wind turbines quality motors, though some energy is
are about 35-45% efficient because lost as heat.
some energy is lost to friction, heat,
and mechanical resistance.
 Energy Conversion Cont’d
Chemical to Thermal Thermal to Mechanical Energy
Energy
• Example: Steam turbines in power
• Example: Combustion of coal or plants convert thermal energy (from
natural gas in power plants. heated steam) into mechanical energy.

• Efficiency: About 33-40% for coal • Efficiency: Around 35-45%, with

plants due to heat loss during the significant losses due to heat dissipation.
process.
 Energy Conversion in the
Caribbean
Energy conversion efficiency depends on the technology and process
involved. While some conversions, like electric to thermal energy, are highly
efficient, others, like chemical to mechanical energy (e.g., car engines), are
less efficient due to significant energy losses. Improving efficiency is crucial
for reducing energy waste in both industrial and daily applications.

The Caribbean region, with its unique geographical and climatic features,
offers significant opportunities for renewable energy development and
non-traditional energy conversions. Below, we explore these renewable
sources and their energy conversion processes, specifically focusing on
their application in the Caribbean context:
 Energy Conversion in the
Caribbean Cont’d
Solar Energy
Energy Conversion Process: Solar panels (photovoltaic cells) convert sunlight (radiant
energy) into electricity (electrical energy).

Caribbean Applications

Rooftop solar panels on homes and businesses provide power for lighting, cooling, and
other household needs.
Solar water heaters convert solar energy into thermal energy for domestic use.
Relevance: With abundant sunlight year-round, the Caribbean is ideal for solar energy,
reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels.
 Energy Conversion in the
Caribbean Cont’d
Wind Energy

Energy Conversion Process: Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into
electrical energy.

Caribbean Applications

Wind farms, such as the Wigton Windfarm in Jamaica, contribute to national energy
grids.
Small wind turbines power remote communities and agricultural operations.
Relevance: Coastal and hilly regions in the Caribbean are particularly suitable for wind
energy due to steady trade winds.
 Energy Conversion in the
Caribbean Cont’d
Hydro Energy
Energy Conversion Process: Hydroelectric plants convert the potential energy
of water stored in dams or flowing rivers into mechanical energy (using
turbines), which is then converted into electrical energy.

Caribbean Applications

Small-scale hydroelectric plants in countries like Dominica and St. Vincent

and the Grenadines.
Relevance: While the Caribbean has limited large rivers, small hydro projects
are feasible in mountainous islands with ample rainfall
 Energy Conversion in the
Caribbean Cont’d
Geothermal Energy

Energy Conversion Process: Heat from beneath the Earth’s surface (thermal
energy) is converted into mechanical energy using steam turbines and then into
electrical energy.

Caribbean Applications

Dominica and Nevis are actively exploring and developing geothermal energy
projects to supply electricity to their populations.
Relevance: The volcanic origins of many Caribbean islands provide a strong
potential for geothermal energy.