Chapter 6 WORK AND POWER

6.2.1 define energy, kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE) and state
its SI unit of energy;

6.2.2 derive the formulae of kinetic energy and potential energy;

KINETIC ENERGY: The energy possessed by a body due to its motion is called
its kinetic energy.

Examples: Wind energy for doing various things. It drives windmills and pushes
sailing boats. Similarly, moving water in a river can carry wooden logs through
large distances and can also be used to drive turbines for generating electricity. The
body stops moving as soon as all of its kinetic energy is used up.
1 2
Formula: K . E= m v
2

Derivation: Consider a body of mass m moving with velocity v. The body stops
after moving through some distance S due to some opposing force such as force of
friction acting on it. The body possesses kinetic energy and is capable to do work
against opposing force F until all of its kinetic energy is used up.

K.E. of the body = Work done by it due to motion

K.E = F.S

vi= v

vf = 0

As F= ma Since motion is opposed, hence, a is negative.

−F
a=
m

Using 3rd equation of motion:

2aS = vf2 – vi2

 −F
2 ( m )S = 02 – v2

-2FS/m = - v2

F.S = ½ m v2

K.E = ½ m v2

POTENTIAL ENERGY: The energy possessed by a body due to its position is

called its potential energy.

Examples: a lifted hammer, a stretched bow, a catapult or a compressed spring etc.

possess potential energy.

Formula: P.E = mgh

Derivation: Let a body of mass m be raised up through height h from the ground.
The body will acquire potential energy equal to the work done in lifting it to height
h.

Thus Potential energy = work done

P.E = F. h here F = w (weight)

=w.h

= mgh

6.3.1 describe forms of energy stored in various objects at different positions

and states;

1. Gravitational Potential Energy: Objects at a height above the ground store

gravitational potential energy. For example, a book on a shelf has potential energy
due to its position relative to the ground.

2. Elastic Potential Energy: Stretched or compressed objects, such as a stretched

rubber band or a compressed spring, store elastic potential energy.

3. Kinetic Energy: Moving objects possess kinetic energy. For instance, a rolling
ball or a moving car has kinetic energy associated with its motion.
4. Thermal Energy: Objects at different temperatures store thermal energy. A hot
cup of coffee has thermal energy due to the high temperature of the liquid.

5. Chemical Energy: Chemical energy is stored in the bonds of molecules. For

example, food contains chemical energy that can be released during digestion.

6. Nuclear Energy: Nuclear potential energy is stored in atomic nuclei. Uranium

and plutonium isotopes, for instance, can store nuclear energy that is released
during nuclear reactions.

6.4.1 state law of conservation of energy;

This law states that “Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but it can
change from one form to another”.

6.4.2 describe the processes by which energy is converted from one form to
another with reference to

1. fossil fuel energy,

2. hydroelectric generation,
3. solar energy,
4. nuclear energy,
5. geothermal energy,
6. wind energy,
7. biomass energy;

The processes by which energy is converted from one form to another for each of
the mentioned sources:

1. Fossil Fuel Energy: Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are extracted from
the Earth. The extracted fuels are burned to release heat energy. The heat energy is
then used to produce steam, which drives turbines connected to generators,
converting thermal energy into mechanical energy and finally into electrical
energy.

2. Hydroelectric Generation: The potential energy of water at a higher elevation

is converted into kinetic energy as it flows downhill due to gravity. The kinetic
energy of flowing water is used to turn turbines. Turbines are connected to
generators, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
3. Solar Energy: Solar panels, made of photovoltaic cells, convert sunlight
directly into electricity through the photoelectric effect.

4. Nuclear Energy: In nuclear reactors, the nucleus of an atom is split, releasing a

large amount of heat energy. The heat produced is used to generate steam, which
drives turbines connected to generators. The mechanical energy is finally
converted into electrical energy.

5. Geothermal Energy: Geothermal power plants extract heat from the Earth's
interior. The heat is used to produce steam. The steam can be piped directly into
houses and offices for heating purposes or it can be used to generate electricity.

6. Wind Energy: Wind energy is harnessed by wind turbines with blades that spin
due to the kinetic energy of the wind. The rotating motion is used to generate
electrical energy through a connected generator.

7. Biomass Energy: Biomass, such as wood, crops, or organic waste, is burned or

undergoes fermentation, they give off a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide.
Electricity can be generated by burning methane.

6.4.3 state three basic concepts of mass energy equation E = mc2;

The mass-energy equivalence equation, E=mc², is a fundamental concept in

physics, particularly in the theory of relativity proposed by Albert Einstein. Here
are three basic concepts associated with this equation:

1. Energy and Mass Interchangeability: The equation E=mc² states that energy
(E) and mass (m) are interchangeable and can be converted into each other. This
implies that mass can be transformed into energy, and vice versa, under certain
conditions.

2. Speed of Light as a Constant: In the equation, "c" represents the speed of light
in a vacuum, which is approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second. The squared
term (c²) is a crucial factor, indicating that a small amount of mass can release a
tremendous amount of energy due to the squared value of the speed of light.

3. Magnitude of Energy Release: The equation highlights the magnitude of the

energy release when a small amount of mass is converted into energy. This concept
is particularly significant in nuclear reactions, where a tiny fraction of the mass of
atomic particles can be converted into a substantial amount of energy, as observed
in processes like nuclear fission and fusion
In summary, the mass-energy equivalence equation expresses the idea that mass
and energy are interchangeable, with the speed of light acting as a constant that
amplifies the significance of even small amounts of mass when converted into
energy.

6.4.4 describe the process of electricity generation by drawing a block

diagram of the process from fossil fuel input to electricity output;

6.4.5 list the environmental issues associated with power generation;

1. Air Pollution: Combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) releases
pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NO2), and particulate
matter, contributing to air quality degradation and respiratory issues.

2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2)
and other greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and climate change.

3. Water Pollution and Usage: Cooling systems in thermal and nuclear power
plants often use large amounts of water, impacting aquatic ecosystems.
Additionally, discharges from coal ash disposal sites can contaminate water
sources.

4. Land Use and Habitat Disruption: Large-scale dams for hydropower projects
can alter natural river ecosystems, displace wildlife, and impact local vegetation.
Large-scale biomass cultivation can lead to deforestation and habitat loss, affecting
biodiversity.

5. Nuclear Accidents and Radioactive Waste: Accidents, such as the ones at

Chernobyl and Fukushima, can have severe environmental consequences.
Managing and disposing of radioactive waste present long-term challenges.
6. Land and Soil Degradation: Extraction of minerals and fossil fuels involves
land disturbance and can lead to soil erosion, habitat destruction, and alteration of
landscapes.

7. Noise Pollution: Wind turbines and hydropower stations can produce noise,
affecting local ecosystems and wildlife.

8. Visual Impact: The installation of wind turbines and solar farms can alter the
visual landscape, impacting the aesthetics of natural areas.

9. Thermal Pollution: The discharge of heated water from thermal power plants
can raise the temperature of nearby water bodies, affecting aquatic ecosystems and
fish populations.

10. Resource Depletion: Extraction of fossil fuels can lead to resource depletion,
and the process of extracting minerals for power generation technologies can have
environmental consequences.

6.4.6 differentiate between non-renewable and renewable energy sources with

examples of each;
6.4.7 explain conversion of energy in

1. a filament lamp,
2. a power station,
3. a vehicle travelling at a constant speed on a level road;
6.5.1 define efficiency of a working system;

Efficiency: “Efficiency of a system is the ratio of required form of energy obtained

from a system as output to the total energy given to it as input.”

6.5.3 explain why a system cannot have an efficiency of 100%;

An ideal system is that which gives an output equal to the total energy used by it.
In other words, its efficiency is 100 %. But practically such a system does not
exist. Every system meets energy losses due to friction that causes heat, noise etc.
These are not the useful forms of energy and go waste. This means we cannot
utilize all the energy given to a working system.

6.6.1 define power and write its formula; 6.6.3 define unit of power in SI
system; 6.6.4 convert unit of power “watt” into “horse power”.

Power: Power is defined as rate of doing work.

Work done energy dissipated
Power (P) = =
time time

W
P= t

Power is a scalar quantity. S.I unit of power is Watt. 1 horse power is equal to
746watts.