WORK, ENERGY AND POWER DBS10012- ENGINEERING SCIENCE

4.0 WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

 define work, energy and power and their unit.
 define renewable energy and non-renewable energy
 explain the advantages of renewable energy.
 list types of energy and their unit
 solve the calculation problem using the formula work, energy and
power.
 state Principle of Conservation of Energy
 calculate the efficiency in mechanical system.

CONCEPT OF WORK
WORK
1) The work done, W is defined as the product of the force and the distance moved in
the direction of the force.
2) The unit of Newton metre (Nm) or Joule (J).
3) Work is done when a force causes an object to move in the direction of the force.
4) Work is a scalar quantity.

Equation of Work

𝑾 = 𝑭 × 𝒔 × 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽

F = Force (N)

s = Displacement (m)

𝜽 = Angle between force and the direction

of motion.

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5) When the direction of force and motion are same, θ = 0°, therefore cos θ = 1
6) Work done,
𝑾 = 𝑭×𝒔

F = Force (N)

s = Displacement (m)

7) 1 Joule is the work done when a force of 1 Newton moves an object for 1 m in the
direction of the force.
8) Work is not done when the direction of motion is perpendicular to the direction of
the force exerted or force is exerted on the object but the object does not move.

NO Indicate whether or not the following represent examples of work. Work

done?
A teacher applies a force to a wall and becomes exhausted.
Explanation: NO
1.
While there is a force, the force does not cause a displacement of any object.
A weightlifter lifts a barbell above her head.
Explanation:
2. YES
There is a force applied to the barbell and the force causes a displacement
of the barbell.
A waiter carries a tray full of meals across a dining room at a constant speed.
Explanation:
3. NO
There is an upward force applied to the tray but the tray moves horizontally.
Upward forces do not cause horizontal displacement.
A rolling marble hits a note card and moves it across a table.
Explanation:
4. YES
The marble applies a force to the note card to move it across the table. This
is work.

Example 1

A force of 50 N acts on the block at the angle shown in the diagram. The block moves a
horizontal distance of 3.0 m. Calculate the work being done by the force.

Answer:

Work done, W = F × s × cos θ

W = 50 × 3.0 × cos30o = 129.9J

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Example 2

Siti mops the floor by applying a force of 7N at an angle of 65o to the floor. How much work
has she done after mopping a total distance of 5.8 m?

Answer:

Work done, W = F × s × cos θ

W = 7 × 5.8 × cos 65o = 17.16 J

Example 3

Diagram above shows a 10N force is pulling a metal. If the distance travelled by the metal
block is 2.4 m, find the work done by the pulling force.

The force is in the same direction of the motion. Work done by the pulling force,

Answer:

W = F × s = (10)(2.4) = 24J

Example 4

A waiter walks a distance of 8 m holding a tray of food that weighs 9 N. How much work has
the waiter done on the tray?

Answer:

𝑊 = 𝐹𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃

𝑊 = (9)(8)𝑐𝑜𝑠 (90)

𝑊 = 0𝐽

Example 5

Diagram A: Diagram B: Diagram C:

W = 100 x 5 x cos0 = 500 J W = 100 x 5 x cos30 = 433 J W = 147.15x5 x cos0 = 735.75 J

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Example 6

An intern pushes a 78 kg patient on a 16 kg gurney, producing an acceleration of 0.6m/s2. How

much work does the intern do by pushing the patient and gurney through a distance of 2.5m?
Assume the gurney moves without friction.

Answer:

𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎

𝐹 = (78 + 16)(0.6)

𝐹 = 56.4𝑁

𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑

𝑊 = (56.4)(2.5)

𝑊 = 141𝐽

Work Done against the Force of Gravity

𝑾 = 𝒎𝒈 × 𝒉

m = mass (kg)

g = gravitational acceleration (m/s2)

h = height of the object from its original position

(m)

Example 7
Badrul runs up a staircase of 35 steps. Each step is 15 cm in height. Given that Badrul's mass
is 65 kg, find the work done by Badrul to reach the top of the staircase.

Answer:

In this case, Badrul does work to overcome the gravity. Badrul's mass = 65kg
Vertical height of the motion, h = 35 × 0.15
Gravitational field strength, g = 9.81 ms-2 Work done, W =?
W = mgh = (65)(9.81)(35 × 0.15) = 3347.66J

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RENEWABLE ENERGY
1. Renewable energy is energy that is generated from natural processes that are
continuously replenished.
2. Some examples of renewable energy sources:
(a) solar energy
(b) wind energy
(c) hydropower
(d) geothermal energy
(e) biomass energy.
3. A non-renewable resource is a resource of economic value that cannot be readily
replaced by natural means at a quick enough pace to keep up with consumption.
Example: carbon-based fossil fuel.

4. Advantages of Renewable Energy

a) Renewable energy won’t run out

Renewable energy technologies use resources straight from the environment to generate
power. These energy sources include sunshine, wind, tides, and biomass, to name some
of the more popular options. Renewable resources won’t run out, which cannot be said
for many types of fossil fuels – as we use fossil fuel resources, they will be increasingly
difficult to obtain, likely driving up both the cost and environmental impact of
extraction.

b) Maintenance requirements are lower

In most cases, renewable energy technologies require less overall maintenance than
generators that use traditional fuel sources. This is because generating technology like
solar panels and wind turbines either have few or no moving parts and don’t rely on
flammable, combustible fuel sources to operate. Fewer maintenance requirements
translate to more time and money saved.

c) Renewables save money

Using renewable energy can help you save money long term. Not only will you save on
maintenance costs, but on operating costs as well. When you’re using a technology that
generates power from the sun, wind, steam, or natural processes, you don’t have to pay
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to refuel. The amount of money you will save using renewable energy can vary
depending on a number of factors, including the technology itself. In most cases,
transitioning to renewable energy means anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars
in savings.

d) Renewable energy has numerous health and environmental benefits

Renewable energy generation sources emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into
the air. This means a smaller carbon footprint and an overall positive impact on the
natural environment. During the combustion process, fossil fuels emit high amounts of
greenhouse gases, which have been proven to exacerbate the rise of global temperatures
and frequency of extreme weather events.

CONCEPT OF ENERGY
ENERGY

1. Energy is defined as the capacity to do work. The SI unit of energy is the same as the
unit of work, which is the Joule, (J).
2. Energy has many different forms and can be converted from one form to other. For
example, an electrical motor converts electrical energy to kinetic energy.
3. Work is done when energy is converted from one form to other. For example, chemical
energy in petrol is converted to heat energy which in turn operates the engine to enable
it to move.
4. In some physics calculations, we also can state (supposing) the amount of energy is
equal to work we have done : 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 = 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌
5. Forms of energy:
i) Gravitational Potential Energy
ii) Kinetic Energy
iii) Thermal Energy
iv) Solar Energy
v) Chemical Energy

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Kinetic Energy

1. Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

2. All moving object possess kinetic energy
3. The kinetic energy of a moving object depends on its mass and speed.

Equation of Kinetic Energy

𝟏
𝐄𝐊 = 𝐦𝐯 𝟐
𝟐

EK = Kinetic Energy (Joule)

m = mass (kg)

v = velocity (m/s)

Example 8

How much kinetic energy does an object have if its mass is 5.0 kg and it is moving at a speed
of 4.2 m/s?
Answer:

1
EK = mv 2
2
1
EK = (5.0)(4.2)2
2
EK = 44.1J

Example 9

An 8 kg bowling ball is moving at 3.5 m/s. What is its kinetic energy?

Answer:

1
EK = mv 2
2
1
EK = (8.0)(3.5)2
2
EK = 49J

Example 10

A truck is moving with a velocity of 12.6 km/h. If the mass of the truck is 7000 kg, calculate
the kinetic energy possessed by the truck.
Answer:

12.6  103
v
3600
v  3.5m / s
1
Ek  mv 2
2

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1
Ek  (7000)(3.5) 2
2
Ek  42875J

Potential Energy

1. Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position or state.
2. Potential energy can be classified into gravitational potential energy and elastic
potential energy.
3. The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on its mass, height and the
gravitational field, Ep = mgh.
𝑬𝑷 = 𝒎𝒈 × 𝒉

m = mass (kg)

g = gravitational acceleration (m/s2)

h = height of the object from its

original position (m)

s = Displacement (m)

Example 11

What is the gravitational potential energy for a 4 kg object that is lifted 5 m?

Answer:

EP = mgh
Ep = (4)(9.81)(5)
Ep = 196.2J

Example 12

The mass of the rock is 122 kg. It had 400 J of potential energy when it rolled down the hill.
Calculate the height.
Answer:

EP = mgh
400 = (122)(9.81)(h)
h = 0.33m
Example 13
A 1500 J of work is needed to raise an object vertically. If the mass of the object is 3.5 kg,
calculate the height that can be reached by the object.
Answer:

Ep  mgh
Ep
h
mg
1500
h
(3.5)(9.81)
h  43.69m
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Example 14

A car with a mass 2500 kg moves with a constant velocity of 48 km/h. The car suddenly brakes
and stops within 13 m. What is

a) The work done to stop the car?

b) The force applied on the brakes?

Answer:

48  103
a) Initial velocity, u =
3600

= 13.33ms 1

Final velocity, v = 0ms-1

Work done = Change in kinetic energy

1 2 1
W mv  mu 2
2 2

1
W  0  (2500)(13.3) 2
2

W  221113J (-ve sign indicates that the kinetic energy is decreasing)

b) W  Fs

W
F
s

221 103
F
13
F  17kN

Principle of Conservation Of Energy

1. The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or

destroyed, but can be converted from one form to another.
2. This principle implies that the total amount of energy in a closed system remain
constant.
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 + 𝑃𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
1
𝛴𝐸 = 𝐸𝐾 + 𝐸𝑃 𝛴𝐸 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ

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3. Even though, some of the conservation of energy not only depends by using kinetic
energy and potential energy formula only. It also can be used by variety of formula to
calculate other energy using its own formula of energy.
4. For example, if an object produce heat when in motion its can be calculate by using
heat energy and kinetic energy formula by applying conservation of energy principle.
But, in this topic student just study the kinetic energy and potential energy only.

Example 15

Diagram below shows a coconut is falling from a certain height to the ground.

At which position, P, Q or R, the coconut has the highest gravitational potential energy?

Answer:

At position P

Example 16
During a basketball game, a 1.0 kg ball gets thrown vertically in the air. It’s momentarily
stationary at a height of 5.0 m and then falls back down. What is the ball’s speed when it hits
the floor?
Answer:

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒊𝒓 (𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝟓. 𝟎 𝒎)

1 1
𝛴𝐸 = 𝐸𝐾 + 𝐸𝑃 ,𝛴𝐸 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ 𝛴𝐸 = 2 (1.0)(0)2 + (1.0)(9.81)(5) 𝐸 = 49.05 𝐽
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 (𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝟎 𝒎)
1 1
𝛴𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ 𝛴𝐸 = (1.0)(𝑣)2 + (1.0)(9.81)(0) 𝛴𝐸 = 0.5𝑣 2
2 2

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𝑼𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒆 ∶

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟 (ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 5.0 𝑚) = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 (ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 0 𝑚)
(𝐸𝐾 + 𝐸𝑃 )𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 5.0 𝑚 = (𝐸𝐾 + 𝐸𝑃 )𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 0 𝑚 49.05 𝐽 = 0.5𝑣 2 𝑣 2 = 98.1
𝒗 = 𝟗. 𝟗𝒎 𝒔−𝟏

Example 17

If you jump out of an airplane at 2000 m height and fall 1000 m before opening your parachute.
What is your speed (neglecting air resistance) when you open your parachute?
Answer:
1
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒂𝒕 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒎 , 𝛴𝐸 = 𝐸𝐾 + 𝐸𝑃 , 𝛴𝐸 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ
1
𝛴𝐸 = 2 (𝑚)(0)2 + (𝑚)(9.81)(2000) 𝛴𝐸 = 19620𝑚
1
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒂𝒕 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒎 , 𝛴𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 2 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ 
2
1
𝛴𝐸 = 2 (𝑚)(𝑣)2
+ (𝑚)(9.81)(1000) 𝛴𝐸 = 0.5𝑚𝑣 2 + 9810𝑚
𝑼𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒆 ∶
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟 (ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 5.0 𝑚) = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 (ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 0 𝑚)
(𝐸𝐾 + 𝐸𝑃 )𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 2000 𝑚 = (𝐸𝐾 + 𝐸𝑃 )𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 1000 𝑚
19620𝑚 = 0.5𝑚𝑣 2 + 9810𝑚 19620𝑚 = (0.5𝑣 2 + 9810)𝑚 19620 = 0.5𝑣 2 + 9810
 0.5𝑣 2 = 9810 𝑣 2 = 19620 𝒗 = 𝟏𝟒𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝒎 𝒔−𝟏

CONCEPT OF POWER
POWER

1. Power is the rate at which work is done or rate at which energy is transferred.
2. Power is a measure of how quickly work is done.
3. The SI unit of power is the watt (W) or joule per second (J/s).
4. Power is scalar quantity.
5. One watt is equal about 1 joule per second.
6. Horsepower is a unit of power in the British system of measurement.
7. 1hp = 746 W.

𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒆
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 =
𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏

𝑾 𝑭.𝒔
𝑷= = = 𝑭. 𝒗
𝒕 𝒕

W = work done (J)

t = time (s)

F = Force (N)

v = velocity (m/s)

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Example 18

You’re riding a toboggan down an icy run to a frozen lake, and you accelerate the 85 kg
combination of you and the toboggan from 1 m s-1 to 2 m s-1 in 2 s. How much power does
that require?
Answer:

𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
1 1 1 1
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 2 𝑚𝑣22 − 2 𝑚𝑣12 = 2 (85)(2)2 − 2 (85)(1)2 = 127.5 𝐽

𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
127.5
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = = 63.75 𝐽 𝑠 −1
2

Example 19
A crane lifts a heavy bucket to a height of 2.5m from the ground in 3.5s.
a) Calculate the power generated by the crane in lifting the bucket in 840kg.
b) Explain why the power generated by the crane is actually higher than the value
calculated in (a). [Given g = 9.81m/s2]
Answer:
a) Power, P = mgh , Power = 840 × 9.81× 2.5
t 3.5
= 5880 W

b) This is because besides lifting the bucket, work also done to overcome frictional
forces between the cable and the pulley and others part of crane.

Example 20

A person in a wheelchair is moving up a ramp. The force required to keep the wheelchair
moving at a constant speed up the ramp is 156.3 N. The ramp is 5 m long. Calculate the power
exerted by the person in the wheelchair if it takes her 10 s to travel up the ramp.
Answer:
𝑊
𝑃= 𝑡
156.3 × 5
𝑃=
10
𝑃 = 78.15𝑊

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Example 21

An escalator is used to move 15 passengers in every 88 s from the ground floor to the first floor
which is 5 m in height. If the average mass of a passenger is 64 kg, determine the power
required by the escalator to move the passengers in 88 s.
Answer:

𝑊
𝑃=
𝑡
𝑚𝑔ℎ
𝑃=
𝑡
(15 × 64)(9.81)(5)
𝑃=
88
𝑃 = 535.1𝑊

The Efficiency In Mechanical System

1. Efficiency is a comparison of the useful work energy provided by a machine or

system to the work energy applied to the machine or system.
2. Machines are devices that make our work easier.
3. Machines require energy to work. This energy is called the input.
4. A machine transforms this input into other forms of energy to perform useful works.
5. However, the useful work obtained is not equal to the input as there is energy lost in
this process. This loss is mainly due to work done against frictional forces and takes
the form of heat.

Efficiency Formula:
Energy Output
Efficiency = × 100%
Energy Input

Work Output
Efficiency = × 100%
Work Input

Power Output
Efficiency = × 100%
Power Input

Example 22

A petrol engine has a work output of 96 kJ per minute. What is the power if the engine
efficiency is 20%?
Answer:

Power output = 96000 J/ 60 s = 1600 Watt

𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
Efficiency = × 100%  20% = (1600/Pin)x 100%
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡
 Power input, Pin = 160000/20 = 8000 Watt

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Example 23

An electrical motor has an input power of 120W. It lifts a 20kg load to a vertical height of
1.5m in 5s. What is the efficiency of the electrical motor? Given g = 9.81m/s2

Answer:

Input power = 120W

Useful output power, P = mgh , Power = 20 × 9.81× 1.5
t 5

= 58.80W
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
Efficiency = 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 × 100%

= 58.8 × 100%
120

= 49%

Example 24

A motor rated 100 W has been operating for 150 s. If the efficiency of the motor is 75%, how
much work is done by the motor?
Answer:
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
Efficiency = × 100%
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡

𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
75% = × 100%
(100 × 150)

𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 11250𝐽

Example 25

A crane moved a 200 kg hot tub from the ground to the top of the hotel, 53 m above the
ground. If the crane used 200000 J of energy, how efficient was the crane?
Answer:
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
Efficiency = × 100%
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡

𝑚𝑔ℎ
= 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 × 100%

(200)(9.81)(53)
= × 100%
200000

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 52%

UNIT SAINS JMSK PUO Page 61