WORK,

ENERGY AND
POWER
ALL ABOUT WORK ALONG WITH ABILITY TO DO WORK AND
RATE OF DOING WORK.

Deepshikha Ghimire
Professor of Physics
Medical University of the Americas
Email: [email protected]
 Learning Objectives
At the end of this lecture, the students will be able to:
1.Define work and explain its mathematical expression.
2.Identify when work is positive, negative, or zero based on force
and displacement direction.
3.Define energy and its units.
4.Differentiate between kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy
(PE).
5.Explain the work-energy theorem.
6.State and explain the law of conservation of energy.
7.Solve problems involving the conversion of potential energy to
kinetic energy in case of free fall.
8.Define power and differentiate between average power and
instantaneous power.
9.Understand the SI unit of power and concepts like horsepower.
Examples of Work Done

• An engine of a moving vehicle does work.

• A body dropped from a height falls
towards the earth indicates that
the earth exerts a force of
attraction (called gravity) on the
body.
• The gravitational force does work
in pulling the body towards it.

Work is said to be done

scientifically when a force applied
on a body produces motion in it.
 Mathematical Definition
• Work done by the force is defined to be the product of
component of the force in the direction of the
displacement and the magnitude of this displacement.
• Work done = Component of Force x Displacement
W = (F cos θ) s = F s cos θ

W= F . s
Work done by a parallel force:

W = F s cos θ F
s
= F s cos 0°
=Fs

Work done by an oblique F

force: F
θ s
W = (F cos θ) s
= F s cos θ
Force ‘F’ is resolved into two rectangular
components.
F sinθ acting in the vertical direction does
not displace the body in that direction.
Therefore, work done by the component
F sinθ is zero.

Fcosθ acting in the horizontal direction

displaces the body in that direction.

F sinθ F

θ
F cosθ s

Therefore, Work done = Force component x Displacement

W = (F cosθ) s = Fs cosθ
When is work zero?

• For work to be
done, both force
(or component of F

force) and
displacement must
be present in a
W
body.

(i) If a force applied on

a body does not
produce displacement
in the body,
scientifically work is
not done.
Examples:
1. A man holding a book in his hands in a
stationary position does not do any work
since the weight of the book acting on him
does not produce any displacement.
2. A man trying to push a rigid and stationary
wall does not do work since the force applied
by him does not move the wall.
(ii) If a force applied on a body is zero, scientifically work is not done.

(Here, friction is absent and the body is under uniform motion.)

Some points about work:

1. Work is a scalar quantity; however, work can be positive, zero or negative.

2. Negative work does not mean it a vector quantity. Work done by friction is
negative as the displacement is opposite to the friction.
3. Dimension of work is [ML2T-2].
4. SI unit of work is ‘joule’ or ‘J’. 1 joule = 1 newton x 1 metre or 1 J = 1 Nm
1 joule is the amount of work done when 1 newton of force acting on a
body displaces it through 1 metre.
5. CGS unit of work is ‘erg’. 1 erg = 10-7 joule
6. 1 joule = 107 erg
7.1 electron volt (eV) = 1.6 x 10-19 J
8. 1 calorie (cal) = 4.186 J
9. 1 kilowatt hour (kWh) = 3.6 x 106 J
Positive, Zero and Negative Work done
1. The work done is positive if the force (or component of force) acts on a
body in the direction of its motion. (0º ≤ θ < 90º)
W = Fs cos θ
W = Fs cos 0º F s
W = Fs (cos 0º = 1)

2. The work done is zero if the force acts on a body in the direction
perpendicular to its motion. (θ = 90º)
F
W = Fs cos θ
W = Fs cos 90º 90º
W=0 (cos 90º = 0) s

3. The work done is negative if the force acts on a body in the direction
opposite to its motion. (90º < θ ≤ 180º)
W = Fs cos θ 180º
W = Fs cos 180º f
s
W = - Fs (cos 180º = -1)
Examples:
1. Work done by gravitational force on a satellite is zero becau
the force acts perpendicular to the direction of motion of th
satellite.

Eart
h

Satellite’s Orbit
2. Similarly, work done by the sun on the earth is zero.

Sun

F2
F1

Elliptical Orbit
3. When we throw a ball vertically
upwards, the work done by our
force is positive whereas the
work done by the gravitational
force is negative since it acts in
the direction opposite to the
motion of the ball.

4. When the ball falls back, the

work done by the gravitational
force is positive since it acts
along the direction of motion of
the ball.
 ENERGY

• Energy is the ability to do work.

or
• The amount of energy possessed by a body is
equal to the amount of work it can do when its
energy is released.

1. Energy is a scalar quantity.

2. SI unit of energy is ‘joule’ or ‘J’.
3. CGS unit of energy is ‘erg’.
1 joule = 107 erg or 1 erg = 10-7 joule
Different Forms of Energy
1. Mechanical energy ---> Potential energy and
Kinetic energy
2. Heat energy 3. Light energy
4. Sound energy 5. Chemical energy
6. Electrical energy 7. Magnetic energy
8. Nuclear energy
 KINETIC ENERGY
• Kinetic energy is defined as the energy of a body by
virtue of its motion.
• It is the measure of work a body can do by virtue of
its motion.
i.e. Every moving body possesses kinetic energy.
Example:
• A moving cricket ball possesses kinetic energy.
Formula for Kinetic Energy
Suppose a body of mass ‘m’ moving with a velocity ‘u’ is acted
upon by a force ‘F’ for time ‘t’. Let ‘v’ be the final velocity and ‘s’
be the displacement of the body at the end of the time.
The work done by the force in displacing the body is given by

Work done = Force x Displacement

W=Fxs
= ma x s
= m (as) ……………..(1)

We know that v2 = u2 + 2as

or as = ½(v2 – u2)
Substituting for as in (1)
W = m x ½(v2 – u2)
W = ½m(v2 – u2)
 Therefore, KE = ½m(v2 – u2)

• This work done is possessed by the body in the form

of kinetic energy.
• If the body is initially at rest and its final velocity is
‘v’, then

KE = ½mv2
Note:
1. Kinetic energy is
i) directly proportional to the mass of the body, and
ii) directly proportional to the square of velocity of the body.
• If mass is doubled, KE is doubled and if the mass is halved, KE is
also halved.
• If velocity is doubled, KE increases four times and if the mass is
halved, KE reduces to ¼ of its original value.
2. Kinetic energy is always positive. Why?
• Mass is always positive. Even if the velocity is negative, square
of velocity will be positive. Therefore, kinetic energy is always
positive.
3. Kinetic energy is a scalar quantity.
4. The term ‘speed’ can be used in place of ‘velocity’ in the formula
for kinetic energy.
 WORK – ENERGY THEOREM
Suppose a body of mass ‘m’ moving with a velocity ‘u’ is acted
upon by a force ‘F’ for time ‘t’. Let ‘v’ be the final velocity and ‘s’
be the displacement of the body at the end of the time.
We know that v2 – u2 = 2as

Multiplying both the sides by m/2, we have

½mv2 – ½mu2 = mas

½mv2 – ½mu2 = F s

½mv2 – ½mu2 = W

Kf – K i = W

The change in kinetic energy of a body is equal to the work done on

it by the net force.
Kf – Ki = W

This equation is called Work-Energy Principle since it

relates the net work done on an object to the K.E. gained
or lost by the object.

•If net work done is positive, K.E. is going to increase

and object accelerates.

•If net work done is negative, K.E. is going to decrease

and object decelerates.

•If net work done is zero, K.E. stays the same and object
maintains constant speed.
 POTENTIAL ENERGY
• Potential energy is defined as the energy of a body by
virtue of its position or configuration.

Examples:

• The raised
hammer
possesses
potential
energy.

• Work (driving the nail into the wooden block) is done

by the hammer when its energy is released.
 Wait…tank is getting filled…

• The water stored in

overhead tank possesses
potential energy.
• Water, when released, is
made to flow (work is done)
by this potential energy.
 F

• Potential energy is stored in a compressed spring.

• When the spring is released the potential
energy stored in the spring does work on
the ball and the ball starts moving.
• Potential energy is stored in a stretched catapult.
• When released, it does the work of firing the
stone.
Formula for Potential Energy (by virtue of position)

• Suppose a body of mass ‘m’ is raised

to a height ‘h’ above the surface of
the earth against the acceleration
due to gravity ‘g’. (Here, g is taken
constant.) g
h
• The work done in lifting the body
against the force of gravity is given
m
by:

• Work done = Force x Displacement

W = mg x h
= mgh
• This work done is stored in the body in the form
of potential energy.

• Therefore, Potential energy V(h) = mgh

• Potential energy is a scalar quantity.

• But, it is to be taken with proper + or – sign
depending on whether work is done against the force
or by the force.
 Formula for Potential Energy (by virtue of configuration)
Fs is negative
positive
Fs FFs F
xec is positive
negative
m m m

xc xe

x=0
• The spring force is an example of a variable force which is
conservative.
• Consider a block of mass ‘m’ attached to a spring (say massless) of
spring constant ‘k’. Unit of spring constant is N/m.
• The spring force F in an ideal spring is directly proportional to the
displacement of the block from the equilibrium position.

Fs = – kx
• Suppose the block is pushed by an external force F and the spring
is compressed by xc.

• Then, the work done by the spring force Fs is

Ws = – ½ kxc2

• Note that the work done by the external pushing force F is positive
since it overcomes the spring force Fs.

The work done by the external force F is Ws = + ½ kxc2

• The same is true when the spring is extended through a

displacement of xe.

• Then, the work done by the spring force Fs is Ws = – ½ kxe2

• The work done by the external force F is Ws = + ½ kxe2

 m

g g
h h
m m

m PE = mgh m PE = mgh – mgh = 0

Note:
1. Potential energy is path independent.
i.e. it depends on the net vertical displacement (height) of the body but
not on the path through which it is raised.
2. Potential energy in a round trip (i.e. over a closed path) is zero.
PE gained by the body = + mgh
PE lost by the body = - mgh
Total PE in round trip = + mgh – mgh = 0
Therefore, gravitational force is a conservative force.
LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
• Law of conservation of energy states that energy can
neither be created nor destroyed.
• Whenever energy changes from one form into another,
the total amount of energy remains constant.

• When a body is thrown upwards or

dropped from height, the total
mechanical energy (i.e. sum of
potential and kinetic energy) at each
and every point on its path remains
constant.

• Note that at the highest point of its

motion, the energy is fully in the form of
potential energy and at the lowest point,
the energy is fully in the form of kinetic
energy. At all other points, the energy is
partially potential and partially kinetic.
• Potential energy is maximum and kinetic energy is
zero at extreme positions.

• Kinetic energy is maximum and potential energy is

minimum at the mean position.
 Non - Conservative Force
 The work done by the non-conservative force depends
on the path in which it is done.
 The work done by this force in a closed path is non -
zero.
 Friction is an example for non-conservative force.
 The heat energy produced by friction gets dissipated
and hence can not be converted back into original form
of energy.
Conservation of Mechanical Energy by Gravitational Force m
v(H) = 0 A
• Suppose a ball of mass ‘m’ dropped from a height H.
• Let the velocity of the ball at the height H (position A)
be v(H) = 0, v(h) at the height h (position B) and v(0) at
the ground level (position C).

H-h
Mechanical Energy at A:
H
• The ball at A is at rest and at the height H from the
ground level (or reference level).
• Therefore, the ME possessed by the ball is wholly by
virtue of its position and hence only potential energy.

PEA = mgH v(h) B

KEA = 0

MEA = PEA + KEA h

MEA = mgH

v(0) C
Mechanical Energy at B: m
v(H) = 0 A
• The ball at B has fallen through the height (H-h) and
gained velocity v(h).
• Therefore, the ME possessed by the ball is partially
potential and partially kinetic.
PEB = mgh H-h
KEB = ½ m [ v(h)2 ] H

But, v(h)2 = 2g (H – h)

KEB = mgH – mgh

MEB = mgh + mgH – mgh v(h) B

or MEB = mgH

C
Mechanical Energy at C: m
v(H) = 0 A
• The ball at C has fallen through the height H and
gained velocity v(0) (maximum velocity).
• Therefore, the ME possessed by the ball is wholly by
virtue of its motion.

PEC = 0
KEC = ½ m [ v(0)2 ] H

But, v(0)2 = 2gH

KEC = mgH

MEC = PEC + KEc

MEC = mgH

• The Mechanical Energy of the ball at all the

positions A, B and C is the same and equal to
mgH which indicates that the Mechanical Energy
is conserved.
v(0) C
 POWER
• Power is defined as the time rate of doing work or
consuming energy.
or
• Power is defined as the rate of conversion of one form
of energy into another form of energy.

Work done Energy consumed

Average Power = =
Time taken Time taken

W E
Pav = =
t t
• The instantaneous power is defined as the limiting
value of the average power as time interval
approaches zero.
dW
P=
dt

• The work done by a force F for a displacement dr is

dW = F . dr
• The instantaneous power can also be expressed
as

P = F. dr or P=F.v
dt
Instantaneous Power
• Unlike average power, which considers energy
transfer over a period, instantaneous power focuses
on a single instant.
• It represents how fast energy is being transferred or
used at a given moment.
• In real-life scenarios, instantaneous power can vary
continuously (e.g., in an electrical circuit or a moving
vehicle).
Note:
1. Power is a scalar quantity.
2. SI unit of power is ‘watt’.
3. 1 watt = 1 joule per second
4. 1 watt is the power when 1 joule of work is done in 1
second or 1 watt is the power when 1 joule of energy
is consumed in 1 second.
5. 1 kilowatt = 1000 watt or 1 kW = 1000 W
6. 1 megawatt = 1,000,000 watt or 1 MW = 106 W
7. Another unit of power is called ‘horse power’ or ‘hp’
8. 1 hp = 746 W
9. The power of engines of cars and other vehicles is
measured by unit called ‘brake horse power’ which is
 COMMERCIAL UNIT OF ENERGY

• The commercial unit or trade unit of energy is

kilowatt-hour (kWh).
• 1 kWh is the amount of electrical energy
consumed when an electrical appliance having a
power rating of 1 kilowatt is used for 1 hour.
• 1 kilowatt-hour = 1000 watt x 3600 seconds =
3,600,000 Ws = 3.6 x 106 Joule
Mechanical Advantage (MA)
•Mechanical Advantage (MA) is a measure of how much a
machine increases the force applied to it.
•It is calculated as the ratio of the output force to the input force:
MA = Output Force(F2) / Input Force(F1)
•For a lever, the mechanical advantage can also be found using
the distances from the fulcrum:
MA = Distance from Fulcrum to Input Force(d1) /
Distance from Fulcrum to Output Force(d2)
• If the mechanical advantage is greater than
1, the machine makes work easier by
reducing the required input force.

• If it is less than 1, the machine increases

speed and distance but requires more input
force.

• If the mechanical advantage (MA) is exactly

1, it means the input force and output force
are equal. The lever does not reduce or
increase the force applied.
Term Definition
Energy A quantity which describes an object’s
or system’s ability to do work

Potential Energy The stored energy of an object due to

the object’s position relative to a
“ground” or equilibrium position

Kinetic Energy The energy of an object associated with

an object’s movement

Total Mechanical The sum of an object’s potential and

Energy kinetic energy
Work Describes the process of energy
transfer
Work-Energy Theorem Theorem which states that the total net
work done (or by) an object is equal to
the change of its kinetic energy

Mechanical Advantage The ability of physics tools to create a

greater output force by only applying a
small input force