Work, Energy and Momentum

Work:
When a body moves a distance d along straight line, while acted on by a constant force of
magnitude F in the same direction as the motion, the work done by the force is termed as
W  Fd
Now if the force F makes an angle θ with the direction of the displacement d then, the work done is
 
W  F  d  Fd cos F
Dimension: [W] = [ML2T-2].
Unit: The SI unit of work is N-m or Joule.  d
Work is a scalar quantity and it can be both positive and negative. If the component of the force is
in the same direction of the displacement, work is positive and otherwise negative.

Work done by a varying force:

Suppose a body moves along a straight line. We divide the displacement into short segments,
namely, ∆x1, ∆x2, ∆x3… etc and assume that an approximate force F1 acts for ∆x1, F2 for ∆x2 and so
on, and then the work done is
W = F1∆x1+ F2∆x2 + F3∆x3 + ……….
If the number of segment are very large and size of each is very small, then the work done
x2

W   Fdx , where x1 and x2 are initial and final positions of the body.
x1

Potential energy:
This is the energy possessed by an object due to its state or position. If an object is raised from the
ground to height then it gets gravitational potential energy due its position. If a spring is stretched
then its gain potential energy due to its state.

Kinetic energy:
The energy due to the motion of an object is known as kinetic energy. I f the mass of an object is m
and the velocity is v, then its kinetic energy would be

1 2
k mv
2

Gravitational potential energy:

When a gravitational force acts on a body undergoing a displacement, the force does work on the
body, and as we shall see that this work can be expressed in terms of initial and final position of the
body. If a body of mass m moves with vertically from a height y1 to a height y2 and the downward
gravitational force on the body is its weight W, then the work done, in this case is represented as

Wg  W ( y1  y2 )  mg ( y1  y2 )
Thus Wg can be determined from the values of the quantity mgy at the beginning and end of the
displacement. This quantity, the product of the weight and the height above origin of the
coordinates, is called the gravitational potential energy U.
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 U gravitational  mgy
Wg  U1  U 2  U

Elastic potential energy:

Figure 1: Elastic potential energy

Figure 1 shows a body of mass m on a level frictionless surface. One end of a spring is attached to
the body and the other end of the spring is fixed. A force P is applied to stretch the spring. As soon
as the slightest extension takes place, a force F is created within the spring which is opposite in
direction to P. The force F is called an elastic force. If the force P reduces to zero, the elastic force
restores the spring to its original unstretched condition. It may therefore be referred to as a restoring
force.

In a displacement from an initial elongation x1 to a final elongation x2 the elastic restoring force
does an amount of work given by
1  1 2
Wel  kx2    kx1 
2

2  2 
2
The quantity 1/2kx , one half the product of the force constant and the force constant and the square
of the coordinate of the body, is called elastic potential energy of the body U.
1
U  kx 2
2

Conservative and dissipative forces:

In the case of gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy, we have seen that, the
work done is independent of the path followed by the body and depends only upon the initial and
final position. In both case the total mechanical energy remains constant and the force required for
work done is a conservative force.

On the other hand, the frictional force is path-dependent. In this case the longer the path between
two given points, the greater the work. When the friction acts alone, the total mechanical energy is
not conserved. The friction is therefore called a non-conservative or dissipative force. The
mechanical energy of a body is conserved only when no dissipative forces act on it.

Work energy theorem:

The work done on a body for a force is related very directly to the change in the body’s motion that
results. To develop the relationship we consider first a body of mass m moving along a straight line
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Assistant Professor Page 2 of 8
under the action of a constant resultant force of magnitude F directed along the line. Suppose the
speed increase from v1 to v2, while the body undergoes a displacement s. Then we have
v22  v12  2as
v 22  v12
a  2s

Hence the force F is

F  ma  m  
v 22  v12
2s

Then the work done is

W  Fs  m  s 
v 22  v12
2s
m ( v 22  v12 )
2

1 2 1 2
W  mv 2  mv1
2 2
2
The quantity 1/2mv , one-half the product of the mass of the body and the square of it
Its velocity is called kinetic energy k, i.e.
1
k  mv 2
2
W  k2  k1  k
Thus the work done on a body is always equal to the change in the kinetic energy of the body. This
statement is known as the work energy theorem.

If the work is positive the final kinetic energy is greater than the initial kinetic energy and the
kinetic energy increases. If the work done is negative, the kinetic energy decreases. In the special
case in which the work is zero, the kinetic energy remains constant.

Power:
Time considerations are not involved in the definition of work. It is important to consider the rate of
the work. The rate at which work is done by a working agent is called the power developed by that
agent.
If a quantity of work ∆W is done in a time interval ∆t then the average power is defined as

Average power= Work done

Time interval
W
P 
t
The instantaneous power is defined as
W dW
P  Lim 
t  0 t dt
2 -3
Dimension: [P] = [ML T ].
Unit: The SI unit of power is Js-1 or Watt.

Power and velocity:

Suppose a force F acts on a body while it undergoes a displacement s along its path. Then the
power can be obtained from the equation

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Assistant Professor Page 3 of 8
 W Fs
P   Fv
t t
In the limit t  0,
P = Fv

Law of conservation of energy:

The law of conservation of energy state that, energy can neither be created nor can destroyed, it
can only be changed from one type to another and the total energy in the universe is constant.

Momentum:
The product of the mass and velocity of an object is called the momentum. It is also sometimes
called linear momentum and symbolized by p.
Therefore, p = mv.
Unit: The SI unit of momentum is kgms-1.

Conservation of momentum:
The principle of conservation of momentum is one of the most fundamental and important
principles of mechanics. It states that, “When no external forces acts on a system, the total
momentum of the system remains constant in magnitude and direction.”
Let us suppose that two masses of m1 and m2 are moving toward each other with initial velocities v01
and v02. After collision, if the bodies move with velocities v1 and v2, then according to conservation
of momentum

m1v01 + m2v02 = m1v1 + m2v2

Elastic collision:
If the total energy before and after collision are the same then this collision is called the elastic
collision. Momentum is also conserved at elastic collision.
Let us suppose that two masses of m1 and m2 are moving toward each other with initial velocities v01
and v02. After collision, if the bodies move with velocities v1 and v2, then
1 1
K.E before collision, m1v 01  m 2 v02
2 2

2 2
1 1
K.E after collision, m1v1  m2 v 2
2 2

2 2
Since the collision is elastic
1 1 1 1
m1v01  m2 v02  m1v1  m2 v 2
2 2 2 2

2 2 2 2
Momentum before collision, m1v01 + m2v02

Momentum after collision, m1v1 + m2v2

Since the collision is elastic

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Assistant Professor Page 4 of 8
 m1v01 + m2v02 = m1v1 + m2v2

Inelastic collision:
If the total kinetic energy before and after collision are not same then this collision is called the
inelastic collision. An inelastic collision is one in which part of the kinetic energy is changed to
some other form of energy in the collision. Any macroscopic collision between objects will convert
some of the kinetic energy into internal energy and other forms of energy, so no large scale impacts
are perfectly elastic. But momentum is also conserved at elastic collision.

Center of mass:
The center of mass of a system of particles is a specific point at which, for many purposes, the
system's mass behaves as if it were concentrated. The center of mass is a function only of the
positions and masses of the particles that comprise the system.
In the case of a rigid body, the position of its center of mass is fixed in relation to the object. In the
case of a loose distribution of masses in free space, such as, say, shot from a shotgun, the position
of the center of mass is a point in space among them that may not correspond to the position of any
individual mass. In the context of an entirely uniform gravitational field, the center of mass is often
called the center of gravity — the point where gravity can be said to act.
Let us consider a collection of any number of particles whose total momentum P can defined as the
vector sum of the individual momentum, as
P = p1 + p2 + p3 + . . . . . = m1v1 + m2v2 + m3v3 + . . . . .
Now, if the velocity of the center of mass is V and the total mass of the body is M, then the total
momentum can also be written as
P  MV  m1v1  m2 v 2  m3 v3  .....
m1v1  m2 v 2  m3 v3  .....
V 
m1  m2  m3  .....
This defines the velocity of the center of mass, and it also defines the position of the center of mass.
Since the particle velocities are the time derivatives of the position vectors r1, r2, r3 . . . of the
particles, we define position vector of the center of mass, R as
 m r  m2 r2  m3 r3  .....
R 11
m1  m2  m3  .....

Exercise 6-10: A body of mass 2kg is initially at rest on a horizontal surface. If a horizontal force of
25N pushes it 4m, using work energy relationship, find the velocity.

Solution:
The work-energy relationship is
1 1
W  mv 22  mv12
2 2
We also know that W  Fs
Here, v1 = 0, F=25N, s = 4m, m=2kg

Dr. Bablu Chandra Das

Assistant Professor Page 5 of 8
  25N 4m   2kg v2 2  2kg
1
2
 v2  10ms 1

Exercise 6-12: A body of mass 8kg moves in a straight line on horizontal surface. At one point in
its path its speed is 4ms-1. After it has traveled 3m its speed is 5ms-1 in the same direction. Use
work-energy relationship and find the force acting on the body.

Solution:
Here, v1  4ms 1 , v2  5ms 1 , m  8kg, s  3m
From the work-energy relationship
1 1
W  mv22  mv12
2 2
1 2 1 2
 Fs  mv2  mv1
2 2
1 2 1 2
mv2  mv1
F 2 2
s
1
 
8kg  5ms 1 2  1 8kg  4ms 1  
2
100  64 36
F 2 2  N N
3m 3 3
 F  12N

Exercise 6-14: What is the potential energy of an 800kg elevator at the top of a building 380m
above street level? Assume in the street level the potential energy is zero.

Solution:
We know, the potential energy is
U  mgy
Here m  800kg, y  380m
 
U  800kg  9.8ms 2 380m   2.7  106 J

Exercise 6-50: The hammer of a pile driver has a mass of 500kg and must be lifted a vertical
distance of 2m in 3s. What horse power engine is required?

Solution:
We know,
dW Fds mgds
P  
dt dt dt
Here, m  500kg, ds  2m, dt  3s

Dr. Bablu Chandra Das

Assistant Professor Page 6 of 8
 P 
500kg 9.8ms 1 2m  3266.67Js1  3266.67Watt
3s
Now,
 746Watt  1H .P.
3266.67
P  H .P  4.38H .P.
746

Problems for practice: Work, Energy and Momentum (P 138-139 & 161-162)

1. Compute the kinetic energy of a 1200 kg automobile traveling at 20 km/hr. How many times
as great is the kinetic energy if the velocity is doubled? [Ans :1.85 ×104 J, 4 times]

2. A body of mass 2kg is initially at rest on a horizontal surface. If a horizontal force of 25N
pushes it 4m, using work energy relationship, find the velocity. [Ans :10 m/s]

3. A body of mass 8kg moves in a straight line on horizontal surface. At one point in its path its
speed is 4ms-1. After it has traveled 3m its speed is 5ms-1 in the same direction. Use work-
energy relationship and find the force acting on the body. [Ans :12 N]

4. What is the potential energy of an 800 kg elevator at the top of the Empire State Building 380
m above the street level? Assume the potential energy to the street level to be zero. [Ans :2.98
×106 J]

5. The force in Newton required to stretched a certain spring a distance of x m beyond its un-
stretched length is given by F = 100x.

(i) What force will stretch the spring 0.1 m? 0.2 m? 0.4 m? [Ans: 10N, 20N, 40N]
(ii) How much work is required to stretch the spring 0.1 m? 0.2 m? 0.4 m? [Ans: 0.5J, 2J,
8J]

6. A 5 kg block is lifted vertically at a constant velocity of 4 m/s through a height of 12 m.

(i) How great a force is required? [Ans: 49 N]

(ii) How much work is done? What becomes of this work? [Ans: 588 J, potential energy]

7. A bullet having a mass of 0.05 kg, moving with a velocity of 400 m/s, penetrates a distance of
0.1 m in to a wooden block firmly attached to the earth. Compute

(i) the acceleration of the bullet [Ans : -8 ×105 m/s2]

(ii) the force [Ans : 4 ×104 N]
(iii) the time of acceleration [Ans : 5 ×10-4 s]
(iv) the impulse of collision. [Ans : 20 Ns]

8. On a frictionless table, a 3-kg block moving 4 ms-1 to the right collides with a 8-kg block
moving 1.5 ms-1 to the left.

(i) If the blocks stick together, what is the final velocity? [Ans: zero]
Dr. Bablu Chandra Das
Assistant Professor Page 7 of 8
 (ii) If the two blocks make a completely elastic head-on collision, what are their final
velocities? [Ans : 4 m/s to lest, 1.5 m/s to right]
(iii) How much mechanical energy is dissipated in the collision of part (i)? [Ans: 33 J]

Dr. Bablu Chandra Das

Assistant Professor Page 8 of 8