6

Module Grade 12 | Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

BAYAMBANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

in
General Physics 1

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Date received:____________________________

Grade/Strand & Section: __________________________________________ Date submitted: __________________________

Parent’s Signature: _______________________________________________

Teacher

Author: Rhandy DG. Almadrones, MASE

SST-II, STEM III-B
 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MODULE 6 | WORK, ENERGY, AND POWER

Introduction to Work. Energy, and Power 3

Pre-Assessment 4

6.1 Work 5
6.2 Work and Kinetic Energy 9
6.3 Potential Energy 13
6.4 Power 15

Post-Assessment 26
References 27

INTRODUCTION TO
WORK,ENERGY,AND POWER
For an instant, this
skateboarder hangs in the
air. As she descends,
gravity increases her
speed. In this module.
We’ll learn to analyze
such sequences in terms
of new quantity, energy.
3
n the preceding chapters, we’ve developed an
I understanding of mechanics as embodied in
Newton’s three laws of motion. In principle, these
laws provide a complete description of the relation
between the motion of an object and the forces that act
on it. But some problems aren’t as simple as they look.
Suppose you try to find the speed of a toy glider
launched by a compressed spring that applies a varying
force. You apply the Newton’s laws and all the problem-
solving techniques that we’ve learned, but you find that
the acceleration isn’t constant and the simple methods
we’ve learned can’t be implemented directly. As we’ll
see, there are powerful alternative methods dealing with
such problems.
In this module, we’ll introduce a new concept –
energy – that is one of the most important unifying concepts in Physics.
Its importance stems from the law of conservation of energy. We’ll
concentrate on mechanical energy, which is associated with the motions
and positions of mechanical systems. In the opening section of the
module, we’ll tour the main ideas associated with energy on quantitative
level. Then we’ll develop the concepts of work and kinetic energy, and
the relationship between them. In the remainder of the module, we’ll
learn how to apply these concepts to the analysis of problems.
Moreover, this module presents the most essential learning
competencies on Work, Energy, and Power, and these are the following:
 Determine the work done by a force acting on a system
(STEM_GP12WE-If-41)
 Define work as a scalar or dot product of force and
displacement (STEM_GP12WE-If-42)
 Interpret the work done by a force in one - dimension as an
area under a Force vs. Position curve (STEM_GP12WE-If-43)
 Relate the work done by a constant force to the change in
kinetic energy of a system (STEM_GP12WE-Ig-44)
 Relate power to work, energy, force, and velocity
(STEM_GP12WE-Ig-47)
 Relate the gravitational potential energy of a system or object
to the configuration of the system (STEM_GP12WE-Ig-48)
 Relate the elastic potential energy of a system or object to the
configuration of the system (STEM_GP12WE-Ig-49)
 Solve problems involving work, energy, and power in contexts
(STEM_GP12WE-Ih-i55)
 4

MULTIPLE CHOICE PROBLEMS

PRE-ASSESSMENT
Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer. 12. If a force of 26 N is exerted on two balls,
Write your answers in CAPITAL letter. one with a mass of 0.52 kg and the other
1. A spiral sr\? with a mass of 0.78 kg, which ball will have
a) It is a scalar quantity the greater acceleration?
b) It is measured in pound a) The will both have zero acceleration
c) It changes object’s state of motion b) They will both accelerate at the same
d) It causes moving object to change rate
direction c) The 0.78 kg ball will have the greatest
2. All, EXCEPT one, are contact forces. acceleration
a) Normal force d) The 0.52 kg ball will have the greatest
b) Friction force acceleration
c) Tension force 13. Which law of motion explains when a
d) Gravitational force magician pulls a tablecloth out from under
3. All, EXCEPT one, are field forces. dishes and glasses on a table without
a) Normal force disturbing them?
b) Magnetic force a) law of inertia
c) Gravitational force b) law of acceleration
d) Strong Nuclear force c) law of interaction
4. What type of force is exerted on an object d) d) law of gravitation
by a string or rope? 14. If you exert a net force of 8 N on a 2-kg
a) Applied force object, what will its acceleration be?
b) Friction force a) 2 m/s2 c) 10 m/s2
2
c) Normal force b) 4 m/s d) 16 m/s2
d) Tension force 15. The swimmer moves her hand down and to
5. What type of force is exerted on an object the left and her body goes forward to the
perpendicular to the surface with which it is right. What laws of motion can explain this?
contact? a) law of inertia
a) Tension force b) law of acceleration
b) Friction force c) law of interaction
c) Normal force d) d) law of gravitation
d) Gravitational force 16. A force of 20 N acts upon a 5 kg block.
6. Which BEST illustrates zero net force? What is its acceleration?
a) An object is at rest a) 4 m/s2 c) 10 m/s2
2
b) An accelerating object b) 5 m/s d) 20 m/s2
c) An object in free-fall motion 17. If these teams are pulling with the same
d) An object moving in circular motion amount of force what will happen?
7. What do you call the diagram which
illustrates all the forces acting on object?
a) Venn diagram
b) Force diagram
c) Vector diagram
d) Free-body diagram
8. Who is the scientist introduced the Three a) The left team will win
Laws of Motion? b) They will not move at all.
a) Aristotle c) Isaac Newton c) The right team will win.
b) Albert Einstein d) Thomas Edison d) Both will fall.
9. Which law of motion says that the harder 18. A car is able to move on the road due to
you kick a ball, the farther it will go? friction. Which type friction occurs between
a) First Law c) Third Law the wheels of the car and the surface of the
b) Second Law d) Law of Gravitation road?
10. Objects in orbit around the Earth (like a a) static friction c) kinetic friction
satellite) still have net forces acting on them. b) elastic friction d) potential friction
a) always true c) sometime true 19. Using the same situation in No. 18, which
b) always false d) sometimes false type of friction occurs between the wheels
11. What will happen on a moving object that is of the car and the surface of the road when
not acted on by an unbalanced force the car is at rest?
according to the first law of motion? a) static friction c) kinetic friction
a) accelerates b) elastic friction d) potential friction
b) remains in motion 20. In which surface is BEST to walk on?
c) changes its momentum a) ice c) rubber
d) eventually come to a stop b) metal d) dry concrete

-END OF TES-
 6.1 Work

Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC)

 Determine the work done by a force acting on a system (STEM_GP12WE-If-41)
 Define work as a scalar or dot product of force and displacement
(STEM_GP12WE-If-42)
 Interpret the work done by a force in one - dimension as an area under a Force vs.
Position curve (STEM_GP12WE-If-43)

In everyday usage, work is any activity that requires muscular

or mental exertion. Physicists have a much more specific definition,
involving force acting on an object while it undergoes a displacement.
Definition of work
When an object undergoes a displacement 𝑑⃗ with a magnitude 𝑑 along
straight line, while a constant force 𝐹⃗ with magnitude 𝐹, making an ▲Figure 1 A person pulling a crate along
the floor. The work done by the Force is
angle 𝜃 with 𝑑⃗ acts on the object, the work done by the force on the (𝐹 cos 𝜃)𝑑, where d is the displacement .
object is:
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑 = (𝐹 cos 𝜃 )𝑑

SI Unit: Joule (J) – pronounced as “jewel”. It was named in honor of

the English physicist James Prescott Joule.

1 joule = 1 newton-meter or 1 J = 1 Nm

In British system, the unit of work is foot-pound (ft.lb). The

following conversions are useful:
1 J = 0.7376 ft.lb 1 ft.lb = 1.356 J

EXAMPLE 1.1 Pushing a stalled Car

Pedro is trying to impress Maria with his new car, but the engine dies in the middle of an intersection. While Maria steers,
Pedro pushes the car 19 m to clear the intersection. If he pushes with constant force with magnitude 210 N, how much work
does he do on the car (a) if he pushes in the direction the car is heading and (b) if he pushes at 30° to that direction?

SOLUTION
SET UP and SOLVE: Using the equation for work, In part (a), Pedro pushes the car in direction he wanted to
go. In (b), he pushed at angle of 30° to that direction. Only
Part (a): When Pedro pushes in the direction the car is the component of force in the direction of the car’s motion
headed. is effective in moving the car.
𝑊 = (𝐹 cos 𝜃)𝑑
𝑊 = (210 𝑁 )(cos 0)(19 𝑚)
𝑊 = 𝟒. 𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝑱

Part (b): In this case, 𝜃 = 30°

𝑊 = (𝐹 cos 𝜃)𝑑
𝑊 = (210)(cos 30)(19 𝑚)
𝑊 = 𝟑. 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝑱

It is important to understand that work is a scalar quantity, even

though it is calculated by using two vector quantities (force and
displacement). Work can be positive and negative. When the force has a
component in the same direction as the displacement (angle is between 0°
and 90°), cos 𝜃 is positive, and the work done is positive. When the force
has a component opposite to the displacement (angle is between 90° and
270°), cos 𝜃 is negative, so work is negative also. When the force is
perpendicular to the displacement (𝜃 = 90°), the work done is zero.
 6

The force has a component in the direction of displacment:

 The work on the object is positive. The object speeds up.

The force has a component opposite to the direction of dispalcement:

 The work on the object is negative. The objects slows down.

The force is perpendicular to the direction of the displacement:

 The force does no work on the object
 More generally, is a force acting on the object has a
component of force perpendicular to the object’s
displacement, that component does no work on the object.

▲Figure 2 Three cases in which a single constant force does work on an object

Conceptual Work and orbital motion

Analysis 1.1

A communication satellite moves in a circular orbit at

constant speed in response to gravity, as shown in Figure 3.
Which of the following statement is correct?

A. The earth does positive work on the satellite.

B. The earth does negative work on the satellite.
C. The earth does no work on the satellite.
D. Once a coordinate system is specified, the work done
changes sign every half orbit, so that the average ▲Figure 3 Three cases in which a single constant force does work on an
work is zero. object

SOLUTION : In circular motion, the force on the orbiting object
is always perpendicular to the object’s velocity. The
displacement of the object is always along the direction of
the velocity, so the force is always perpendicular to the
displacement. Therefore, F = 0, and the work is zero for any
displacement along the orbit. This result still might seem
confusing, since your intuition may correctly guess that
speed
EXAMPLE 1.2 Work done on a crate
orbiting objects have energy. But remember that work is the
transfer of energy that changes an object’s speed. Since the
speed of an object is constant in uniform circular motion,
𝑊 = 0, and all the answers except letter C can be rejected.
Our solar system has been executing orbital motion for about
5 billion years and does not require energy source to
maintain its orbits.

A person pulls a 50 kg crate 40 m along a horizontal floor by a constant force of 𝐹𝑃 =100 N, which acts at a 37° angle as
shown in Fig. 4. The floor is rough and exerts a friction force 𝐹𝑓𝑟 = 50 N. Determine (a) the work done by each force acting
on the crate, and the (b) net work done on the crate.

▲Figure 4 Our diagram in this problem.

SOLUTION
The work done by 𝐹𝑃 is,
SET UP: We choose our coordinate systme so that 𝑥⃗ can be a
𝑊 = (𝐹𝑃 cos 0)𝑑
vector that represents the 40 m displacement. Four forces act on
𝑊 = (100 𝑁 )(cos 37)(40 𝑚)
the crate: the force exerted by the person 𝑭𝑷 , the friction force
𝑭𝒇𝒓 due to the floor, the crates weight 𝒎𝒈, and the normal 𝑊 = 𝟑𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝑱
force 𝑭𝑵 exerted upward by the floor. The net force is the The work done by the friction is,
vector sum of these four forces. 𝑊 = (𝐹𝑓𝑟 cos 0)𝑑
𝑊 = (50𝑁)(cos 180)(40)
SOLVE: Part (a): The work done by the object’s weight and
𝑊 = −𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑱
normal force is zero since they are perpendicular to the
displacment (𝜃 = 90°) Part (b): The net work done is,
𝑊𝑚𝑔 = (𝑚𝑔 cos 90)𝑑 = 𝟎 𝑱 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∑ 𝑊
𝑊 = 𝑊𝑚𝑔 + 𝑊𝑁 + 𝑊𝑃 + 𝑊𝑓𝑟
𝑊𝑁 = (𝐹𝑁 cos 90)𝑑 = 𝟎 𝑱
𝑊 = 0 𝐽 + 0 𝐽 + 3200 𝐽 + (−2000𝐽)
𝑊 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝑱
 7

Conceptula Questions &

EXERCISES Problem Solving

Conceptual Questions. Provide a brief answer on the following questions.

1. In what ways is the word “work” as used in everyday language and as defined in Physics? Give
examples for both.
2. Can centripetal force ever do work on object? Explain.
3. Can the normal force on an object ever do work? Explain.
4. A woman swimming upstream is not moving with respect to the shore. Is she doing any work? If
she stops swimming and merely floats, is work done on her?
5. An elevator is hoisted by its cables at constant speed. Is the total work done on the elevator
positive, negative, or zero? Justify your reasoning.

Problem Solving: Solve the following problems by showing your complete solutions on a separate sheet
of paper. Expected solutions to each problem are provided.

1. How much work is done by a 45.0 N force in pulling the luggage carrier at an angle of 50.0 ° for
the distance of 75.0 m?
Ans. 2200 J

2. During a tug-of-war, team A pulls on team B by applying a force of 1100 N to the rope between
them. How much work does team A do if they pull team B toward them with the distance of 2.0
m?
Ans. 2200 J

3. A person pulls a toboggan for a distance of 35.0 m along the snow with a rope directed 25° above
the snow. The tension in the rope is 94.0 N. (a) How much work is done on the toboggan by the
tension force? (b) How much work is done if the same tension is directed parallel to the snow?
Ans. (a) 2.98 x 103 J, (b) 3.29 x 103 J

4. A person pushes a 16.0 kg shopping cart at a constant velocity for a distance of 22.0 m. She
pushes in a direction 29° below the horizontal. A 48.0 N frictional force opposes the motion of
the cart. (a) What is the magnitude of the force that the shopper exerts? Determine the work done
by (b) the pushing force, (c) the frictional force, and (d) the gravitational force. (e) Calculate the
net work done.
Ans. (a) 54.9 N , (b) 1.06 x 103 J, (c) –J, (d) 0 J, (e)

5. An 18.0 kg steel box is pushed along a horizontal floor to a distance of 20.0 m. If the coefficient
of friction between the box and the floor is 0.15, calculate the amount of work done.
Ans.
 8

6.2 Work and Kinetic Energy

Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC)

 Relate the work done by a constant force to the change in kinetic energy of a system
(STEM_GP12WE-Ig-44)

ENERGY
 refers to the capacity to do work.

KINETIC ENERGY
 it is the energy possess by an object in motion.

Definition of kinetic energy

The kinetic energy 𝐾𝐸 of a particle with mass 𝑚 moving with the
magnitude of velocity 𝑣 is:
1
𝐾𝐸 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2

SI Unit: Joule (J), where 1 J = 1 kg.m2/s2

The relation between the work done on an object and object’s
change in kinetic energy is called work-energy theorem.

Work-Energy Theorem
During any displacement of the particle, the work done by the net
force on it is equal to its change in kinetic energy:
𝑊 = ∆𝐾𝐸 = 𝐾𝐸𝑓 − 𝐾𝐸𝑖

Kinetic energy, like work, is a scalar quantity. It can never be

negative, although work can either be positive or negative. The kinetic
energy of a moving particle depends only on its speed (the magnitude of
velocity), not on the direction of motion. The change in kinetic energy
during any displacement is determined by the total work 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 done by
all the forces acting on the particle. When the 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 is positive, the
particle speeds up during the displacement, 𝐾𝐸𝑓 is greater than 𝐾𝐸𝑖 , and
the kinetic energy increases. When 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 is negative, the kinetic energy
and speed decreases; and when 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 is zero, kinetic energy is constant.

Conceptual Work and kinetic energy

Analysis 1.2

Two blocks of ice, one twice as heavy as the other, are
at rest on a frozen lake. A person pushes each block a
distance of 5 m with constant force. Assume that friction
may be neglected. The kinetic energy of the light block after
the push is …
A. smaller than that of the heavy block.
B. equal to that of the heavy block.
C. larger than that of the heavy block.
SOLUTION : Three forces act on each block; its weight, the
normal force exerted by the surface, and the push applied by
speed
person. The weight and the normal force are
perpendicular to the displacement, so they do no work
on the block. Only the person’s push does work on each
block. Both this force and the displacement are the
same for two blocks, so the amounts of work done on
them are equal. The work-energy theorem says that the
change in each block’s kinetic energy equals the net
work done on it. Both blocks have the same initial
kinetic energy (𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 0) and have equal amounts of
work done on them. Therefore, they must have equal
final kinetic energy. Letter B is the correct answer.

EXAMPLE 1.3 KE and work done on baseball

A 145 g baseball is thrown si that it acquires a speed of 25 m/s. (a) What is its kinetic energy? (b) What was the net work
done on the ball to make it reach this speed, if it started from rest?
 9

SOLUTION
SET UP and SOLVE: We the equation for kinetic energy and Part (b): Since the initial kinetic energy was zero, the
the work-energy theorem. net work done is
𝑊 = 𝐾𝐸𝑓 − 𝐾𝐸𝑖
Part (a): The kinetic energy of the ball after the throw is 𝑊 = 𝐾𝐸𝑓 − 0
1
𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 2 𝑊 = 𝐾𝐸𝑓
2
1
𝐾𝐸 = (0.145 𝑘𝑔)(25 𝑚/𝑠)2 𝑊 = 𝟒𝟓 𝐽
2
𝐾𝐸 = 𝟒𝟓 𝑱

EXAMPLE 1.4 Work on a car, to increase its KE

How much net work is required to accelerate a 1000 kg car from 20 m/s to 30 m/s?

SOLUTION
SET UP and SOLVE: We use the work-energy theorem. The net work needed is equal to the increase in kinetic energy:
1 1 1 𝑚 2 1 𝑚 2
𝑊 = 𝐾𝐸𝑓 − 𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 − 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 = (1000) (30 ) − (1000) (30 ) = 𝟐. 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑱
2 2 2 𝑠 2 𝑠

EXAMPLE 1.5 Using work and energy to calculate speed

Mang Cardo hitches his tractor to a sled with firewood and pulls it along level frozen ground. It is found out that the total
work done on the sled by all the forces is 10.0 kJ. The mass of the sled is 1500 kg. Suppose the sled’s initial speed is 2.00
m/s, what is its final speed?

SOLUTION
SET UP: We use the work-energy theorem to solve for the Using the work-energy theorem,
kinetic energy. The initial kinetic energ is 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐾𝐸𝑓 − 𝐾𝐸𝑖
1 𝐾𝐸𝑓 = 𝐾𝐸𝑖 + 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡
𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑖 2
(750 kg) 𝑣𝑓 = 3000 J + 10 000 J
𝐾𝐸𝑖 = (1500 kg)(2.00 m/s)2 (750 kg) 𝑣𝑓 = 13 000 J
𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 3000 J
𝒗𝒇 = 4.16 m/s
The final kinetic energy is
1
𝐾𝐸𝑓 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2
1
𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 2 (1500 𝑘𝑔)𝑣𝑓 2
𝐾𝐸𝑖 = (𝟕𝟓𝟎 𝒌𝒈)𝒗𝒇 𝟐
Where 𝑣𝑓 is the final speed that we want to find.
 10

Problem Solving
EXERCISES
Directions: Solve the following the problems by showing your complete solutions. Write your solutions
in a separate sheet of paper.

1. How much work must be done to stop a 1250 kg car traveling at 105 km/h?
Ans.

2. Adult cheetahs, the fastest of the great cats, have a mass of about 70 kg and have been clocked at
up to 32 m/s. (a) How many joules of kinetic energy does such a swift cheetah have? (b) By what
factor would its kinetic energy change if its speed were doubled?
Ans.

3. An 88 g sparrow is fired from a bow whose string exerts an average force of 110 N on the arrow
over a distance of 78 cm. What is the speed of the arrow as it leaves the bow?
Ans.

4. It takes 4.186 J of energy to raise the temperature of 1.0 g of water by 1.0 ℃. (a) How fast would
a 2.0 g cricket have to jump to have that much kinetic energy. (b) How fast would a 4.0 g cricket
have to jump to have the same amount of kinetic energy?
Ans.

5. You throw a 20 N rock into the air from a ground level and observe that, when it is 15.0 m high,
it is travelling upward at 25.0 m/s. Use the work-energy theorem to find (a) the rock’s speed just
as it left the ground and (b) the maximum height the rock will reach.
Ans.
 11

6.3 Potential Energy

Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC)

 Relate the gravitational potential energy of a system or object to the configuration
of the system (STEM_GP12WE-Ig-48)
 Relate the elastic potential energy of a system or object to the configuration of the
system (STEM_GP12WE-Ig-49)

POTENTIAL ENERGY
 it refers to the energy possessed by an object at rest or when it
not moving.
 it is also the energy associated with position.

TYPES
1. Gravitational Potential Energy (PEgrav)
- it is the stored energy associated with the position of the
▲Catapult leg. To jump, a
object relative to the earth. grasshopper must straighten its hind
leg faster that its leg muscles can
Definition of gravitational potential energy correct. It does so by suing a catapult
When an object with mass 𝑚 is a vertical distance 𝑦 above the origin mechanism. The black swelling on the
first joint of each jumping leg marks a
of coordinates, in a uniform gravitational field 𝑔, the gravitational spot where the insect’s exoskeleton has
potential energy is: been modified into a pair of stiff
springs shaped like flattened C’s.
𝑃𝐸𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = 𝑚𝑔𝑦 Before a jump, the limb muscles build
up elastic potential energy by
compressing these springs while the
Like work and energy, gravitational potential energy is measure in joint is flexed. To jump, the animal
releases the springs, which cause the
joules. legs to snap straight. Such mechanisms
rely on conservation of mechanical
We can also express the work 𝑊 done by a gravitational force energy.
during the displacement from 𝑦𝑖 to 𝑦𝑓 as:

𝑾𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗 = ∆𝑷𝑬𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗 = 𝑷𝑬𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗.𝒊 − 𝑷𝑬𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗.𝒇

When the object moves down, 𝑦 decreases, the gravitational force

does positive work, and the potential energy decreases. When the object
moves up, the work done by the gravitational force is negative, and the
potential energy increases.
The work-energy theorem says that 𝑊 = ∆𝐾𝐸, and in this case,
𝑊 = ∆𝑃𝐸. Putting this equation together, we get:
∆𝐾𝐸 = ∆𝑃𝐸
which we can rewrite as
𝐾𝐸𝑓 − 𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 𝑃𝐸𝑖 − 𝑃𝐸𝑓
or
𝟏 𝟏
𝒎𝒗𝒊 𝟐 + 𝒎𝒈𝒚𝒊 = 𝒎𝒗𝒇 𝟐 + 𝒎𝒈𝒚𝒇
𝟐 𝟐

We now define 𝐾𝐸 + 𝑃𝐸 to the total mechanical energy. And the

total mechanical energy is constant or conserved.

Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy

If only conservative forces are acting, the total mechanical energy of
a system stays constant – it is conserved. Energy is neither created
nor destroyed.
 12

2. Elastic Potential Energy (PEel)

- it is the stored energy associated with stretching or
compressing a spring.

Definition of elastic potential energy

When a spring is stretched or compressed a distance 𝑥 from the
undistorted state, the associated potential energy is given by:
1
𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙 = 2 𝑘𝑥 2

Where 𝑘 is the spring stiffness constant measured in N/m.

The joule is the unit used for all energy and work quantities.

EXAMPLE 1.6 Potential energy changes for a roller coaster

A 1000 kg roller coaster car moves from point 1 to point 2, and then to point 3. Figure 5 is our diagram. (a) What is the
gravitational potential energy at 2 and 3 relative to point 1? That is take 𝑦 = 0 at point 1. (b) What is the change in potential
energy when the car goes from point 2 to point 3? (c) repeat parts (a) and (b), but take the reference point to be at point 3.

SOLUTION
SET UP: We are interested in the potential energy of the car.
We take upward as the positive 𝑦 direction, and use the
definition of gravitational potential energy.

SOLVE: Part (a): We measure heights from point 1, which

means initially that the gravitational potential energy is zero.
At point 2, where 𝑦2 = 10 m, ▲Figure 5 Our diagram in this problem

𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔𝑦2 = (1000 kg) (9.8 m/s2) (10 m) = 9.8 x 104 J Part (c): In this instance, 𝑦1 = +15 𝑚 at point 1, so the
gravitational potential energy is,
At point 3, 𝑦3 = − 15 m, since point 3 is below point 1.
Therefore, 𝑃𝐸1 = (1000 kg) (9.8 m/s2) (15 m) = 1.5 x 105 J

𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔𝑦3 = (1000 kg) (9.8 m/s2) (–15 m) = – 1.5 x 105 J
Part (b): In going from point 2 to point 3, the change in
potential energy is
𝑃𝐸3 − 𝑃𝐸2 = (– 1.5 x 105 J) – (9.8 x 104 J) = – 2.5 x 105 J
This means that the gravitational potential energy decreases.
At point 2, 𝑦2 = 25 m, so the potential energy is,
𝑃𝐸2 = (1000 kg) (9.8 m/s2) (25 m) = 2.5 x 105 J
At point 3, 𝑦3 = 0, so the potential energy is zero. The
change in potential energy going from point 2 to point 3
is,
𝑃𝐸3 − 𝑃𝐸2 = 0 – 2.5 x 105 J = – 2.5 x 105 J
which is the same as in part (b)

EXAMPLE 1.7 Height of a baseball from energy conservation

You throw a 0.150 kg baseball straight up in the air, giving it an inital upward speed of 20.0 m/s. Use the conservation of
mechanical energy to find how high it goes, ignoring air resistance.

SOLUTION
SET UP: The only force doing work on the ball after it leaves
your hand it its weight. We place the origin at the starting
point, point i, where the ball leaves your hand; then 𝑦𝑖 = 0 as
seen in figure 6. At this point, 𝑣𝑖 = 20 m/s. We want to find
the height at the final point, point f, where the ball stops and
begins to fall back to earth. At this point, 𝑣𝑓 = 0 and 𝑦𝑓 is
unknown.

SOLVE: Using the equation for conservation of energy,

1 1 ▲Figure 6 Our diagram in this problem
𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑚𝑔𝑦𝑖 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔𝑦𝑓
2 2
1 𝑚 2 𝑚
(0.150 𝑘𝑔) (20.0 ) + (0.150 𝑘𝑔) (9.8 2 ) (0 𝑚) The mass divides out, as we should expect; we learned in
2 𝑠 𝑠
1 𝑚 Module 3 that the motion of an object in free fall doesn’t
2
= (0.150 𝑘𝑔)(0) + (0.150 𝑘𝑔)(9.8 2 )𝑦𝑓 depend on its mass.
2 𝑠
𝑦𝑓 = 20.4 m decreases.
 13

EXAMPLE 1.8 Roller-coaster speed using energy

conservation

Assuming the height of the ball in Figure 7 is 40 m, and the roller coaster car
starts from rest at the top, calculate (a) the speed of the rolle coaster car at the
bottom of the hill, and (b) at what height it will have half of this speed. Take
𝑦 = 0 at the bottom of the hill. ▲Figure 7 Our diagram in this problem

Part (b): Using again the equation for conservation of

SOLUTION energy,
SET UP: We choose point 1 to be where the cars starts from 1 1
𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑚𝑔𝑦𝑖 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔𝑦𝑓
2 2
rest ( 𝑣𝑖 = 0) at the top of the hill (𝑦𝑖 = 40 m). Point 2 is the
bottom of the hill, which we choose as our reference level, so But now, 𝑣2 = 14 m/s (half of 28 m/s) and 𝑦𝑓 is
𝑦𝑓 = 0. unknown. We cancel the 𝑚’ s, set 𝑣𝑖 = 0. and solve for
𝑦𝑓 .
1
SOLVE: Part (a): Using the equation for conservation of 𝑚𝑔𝑦𝑖 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔𝑦𝑓
2
energy, 2𝑔𝑦𝑖 = 𝑣𝑓 2 + 2𝑔𝑦𝑓
1 1
𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑚𝑔𝑦𝑖 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑚𝑔𝑦𝑓 2𝑔𝑦𝑓 = 2𝑔𝑦𝑖 − 𝑣𝑓 2
2 2
1
𝑣𝑓 2
𝑚𝑔𝑦𝑖 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 −
2 2𝑔
(14 𝑚/𝑠)2
The 𝑚’s cancel out, and setting 𝑦1 = 40 m, we find 𝑦𝑓 = 40 𝑚 −
2(9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2)
𝑣𝑓 = √2𝑔𝑦𝑖 𝑦𝑓 = 𝟑𝟎 𝒎
𝑣𝑓 = √2(9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 ) (40 𝑚)
𝑣𝑓 = 𝟐𝟖 𝒎/𝒔

EXAMPLE 1.9 Toy dart gun

A dart of mass 0.100 kg is pressed against the spring of a toy dart gun as shon in figure 8a. The spring (with spring stiffness
constant 𝑘 = 250 N/m) is compressed 6.0 cm and released. If the dart detaches from the dpring whent he spring reaches its
natural length (𝑥 = 0), what speed does the dart acquire?

SOLUTION
SET UP: The dart is initially at rest, so 𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 0. We ignore
friction and use conservation of mechanical energy; the only
potential energy is elastic.

SOLVE: We use the equation for conservation of energy with

point 1 being at the maximum compression of the spring, so
(a)
𝑣𝑖 = 0 (the dart is not yet released) and 𝑥𝑖 = −0.060 m. Point
2 we choose to the instant the dart flies off the end of the
spring (Fig. 8b), so 𝑥𝑓 = 0 and we want to find 𝑣𝑓. Thus,
1 1 1 1
𝑚𝑣𝑖 2 + 𝑘𝑥𝑖 2 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 𝑘𝑥𝑓 2
2 2 2 2
1 1
0 + 2 𝑘𝑥𝑖 2 = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑓 2 + 0
Then (b)
2 𝑘𝑥𝑖 2
𝑣𝑓 =
𝑚 ▲Figure 8 Our diagram in this problem
𝑘𝑥𝑖 2 (250 𝑁/𝑚)(−0.060 𝑚)2
𝑣𝑓 = √ 𝑚
=√ 0.100 𝑘𝑔

𝑣𝑓 = 3.0 m/s
 14

Problem Solving
EXERCISES
Directions: Solve the following problems. Show your complete solution and encircle your final answer
(Expected answers are italicized). Write your solutions on a separate sheet of paper.

1. A spring has a spring stiffness constant, 𝑘, of 440 N/m. How much must this spring be stretched
to store 25 J of potential energy?
Ans.

2. A 7.0 kg monkey swings from one branch to another 1.2 m higher. What is the change in
potential energy?
Ans.

3. A 1.60 m tall person lifts a 2.10 kg book from the ground, so it is 2.20 m above the ground. What
is the potential energy of the book relative to (a) the ground, and (b) at the top of the person’s
head? (c) How much is the work done by the person related to the answers in part (a) and (b)?
Ans.

4. A 1200 kg car rolling on a horizontal surface has a speed of 65 km/h when it strikes a horizontal
coiled spring and is brought to rest in a distance of 2.2 m. What is the spring stiffness constant of
the spring?
Ans.

5. A 55 kg marker starts at an elevation of 1600 m and climbs to the top of 3300 m peak. (a) What is
the hiker’s change in potential energy? (b) What is the minimum work required of the hiker?
Ans.
 15

6.4 Power

Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC)

 Relate power to work, energy, force, and velocity (STEM_GP12WE-Ig-47)
 Solve problems involving work, energy, and power in contexts (STEM_GP12WE-Ih-
i55)

POWER
 it refers to the time rate at which work is done or energy is
transferred.
 like work and energy, power is scalar quantity
Definition of average power
When quantity of work ∆𝑊 is done during a time interval ∆𝑡, the
average power 𝑃𝑎𝑣 , or work per unit time, is defined as:
∆𝑊
𝑃𝑎𝑣 =
∆𝑡

SI Unit: watt (W), where 1 watt is equal to 1 joule per second (J/s).

For many applications, power is measured in kilowatts or ▲Measuring energy burned.

Animals and humans obtain energy
megawatts (1 MW = 106 W). In British system, in which work is from food by “burning” the food
with oxygen from the air. Therefore,
expressed in foot-pounds, the unit of power is the foot-pound per to measure how fast the food energy
second. A larger unit called the horsepower (hp) is also used: is used during a given activity,
scientist measure the rate at which
the animal consumes oxygen.
1 hp = 550 ft.lb/s

That is, a 1 hp motor running at full load does 550 ft-lb of work every
second. A useful conversion factor is:
1 hp = 746 W

EXAMPLE 1.10 Stair-climbing power

A 60 kg jogger runs up a long flight of stairs in 4.0 s. The vertical height of the stairs is 4.5 m. (a) Estimate the jogger’s
power output in watts and horsepower. (b) How much energy did this require?

SOLUTION
SET UP: The work done by the jogger is against the gravity,
and equals 𝑊 = 𝑃𝐸𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 . To get the power output, we divide
work by the time it took.

SOLVE: Part (a): We use the equation for average power. Part (b): The energy required is.
𝑊 𝑃𝐸 𝐸 = 𝑃𝑡
𝑃= =
𝑡 𝑡 𝐸 = (660 𝑊)(4.0 𝑠)
Then, 𝐸 = 𝟐𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝑱
𝑚𝑔𝑦
𝑃=
𝑡
(60 𝑘𝑔)(9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(4.5 𝑚) The had to transform more energy than this 2600 J. The
𝑃= total energy transformed by a person or an engine always
4.0 𝑠
𝑷 = 𝟔𝟔𝟎 𝑾 includes some thermal energy.
1 ℎ𝑝
𝑃 = 660 𝑊 ( ) = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟖 𝒉𝒑
746 𝑊

TRIVIA:
The unit watt was chosen by James Watt (1736-1819), who needed a way to specify the power of his
newly developed steamed engines. He found by experiment that a good horse can work all day at an
average rate of about 360 ft.lb/s. So as not be accused of exaggeration in the sale of his steam engine, he
multiplied this by 1 ½ when he defined the hp.
 16

EXAMPLE 1.11 Power in a jet engine

A jet engine develops a thrust (a forward force of the plane) of 15000 N. When the plane is flying a 300 m/s, what
horsepower does the engine develop?

SOLUTION
SET UP and SOLVE: We derive our equation for power.
𝑊 𝐹𝑑
𝑃= =
𝑡 𝑡
Then,
𝑃 = 𝐹𝑣
𝑃 = (15000 𝑁)(300 𝑚/𝑠)
𝑃 = 4.5 × 106 𝑊 This power is comparable to the power developed by a Diesel
1 ℎ𝑝 railroad locomotive. The airplane travles 10 times as fast as the
𝑃 = 4.5 × 106 𝑊 ( )
746 𝑊 locomotive, with a much smaller cargo weight.
𝑷 = 𝟔𝟎𝟑𝟎 𝒉𝒑

EXAMPLE 1.12 A marathon stair climb

As part of a charity fund – raising drive, a Chicago marathon runner with mass 50.0 kg runs up the stairs to the top of the
Sears Tower, the tallest building in Chicago (443 m), in 15.0 minutes as shown in Figure 9. What is her average power output
in watts? In kilowatts? In horsepower?

SOLUTION
SET UP and SOLVE: The runner’s total work 𝑊 is equal to The time is 15 minutes = 900 s, so the average power is
gravitational potential energy 𝑊
𝑃=
𝑊 = 𝑃𝐸 𝑡
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔𝑦 2.17 × 105 𝐽
𝑃=
𝑊 = (50.0 𝑘𝑔)(9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(443 𝑚) 900 𝑠
𝑊 = 2.17 × 105 𝐽 𝑷 = 𝟐𝟒𝟏 𝑾
The time is 15 minutes = 900 s, so the average power is 𝑷 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟒𝟏 𝒌𝑾
𝑊 𝑷 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟐𝟑 𝒉𝒑
𝑃=
𝑡
2.17 × 105 𝐽 A horse can supply considerably more than 1 hp for short
𝑃=
900 𝑠 period of time.
𝑷 = 𝟐𝟒𝟏 𝑾
𝑷 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟒𝟏 𝒌𝑾
𝑷 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟐𝟑 𝒉𝒑

▲Figure 9 Our diagram in this problem

 17

EXERCISES PROBLEM SOLVING

Problem Solving. Solve the following problems. Show your complete solutions on a separate sheet of
paper. If necessary, draw diagrams for each problem.

1. How long will it take a 1750 W motor to lift a 315 kg piano to a sixth story window 16.0 m
above?
Ans.

2. A 1400 kg sports car accelerates from rest to 85 km/h in 7.4 s. What is the average power
delivered by the engine?
Ans.

3. A pump is to lift 18.0 kg of water per minute through a height of 3.60 m. What power rating in
watts should the pump motor have?
Ans.

4. A tandem (two-person) bicycle team must overcome a force of 165 N to maintain a speed of 9.00
m/s. Find the power required per rider if each contributes equally.
Ans. 4

5. Should you work or run? It is 5.0 km from your home to the Physics lab. As part of your
physical fitness program, you could run that distance at 10 km/h (which uses up energy at the rate
of 700 W), or you could walk it leisurely at 3.0 km/h (which uses up energy at 290 W). Which
choice would burn up more energy, and how much energy (in joules) would it burn? Why is it
that the more intense exercise burns up less energy than the less intense one?
Ans.
 18

MULTIPLE CHOICE PROBLEMS

P0ST-ASSESSMENT
Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write
your answers in CAPITAL letter. 12. If a force of 26 N is exerted on two balls, one
1. Which does NOT describe a force? with a mass of 0.52 kg and the other with a
a) It is a scalar quantity mass of 0.78 kg, which ball will have the
b) It is measured in pound greater acceleration?
c) It changes object’s state of motion a) The will both have zero acceleration
d) It causes moving object to change b) They will both accelerate at the same rate
direction c) The 0.78 kg ball will have the greatest
2. All, EXCEPT one, are contact forces. acceleration
a) Normal force d) The 0.52 kg ball will have the greatest
b) Friction force acceleration
c) Tension force 13. Which law of motion explains when a
d) Gravitational force magician pulls a tablecloth out from under
3. All, EXCEPT one, are field forces. dishes and glasses on a table without disturbing
a) Normal force them?
b) Magnetic force a) law of inertia
c) Gravitational force b) law of acceleration
d) Strong Nuclear force c) law of interaction
4. What type of force is exerted on an object by a d) d) law of gravitation
string or rope? 14. If you exert a net force of 8 N on a 2-kg object,
a) Applied force what will its acceleration be?
b) Friction force a) 2 m/s2 c) 10 m/s2
2
c) Normal force b) 4 m/s d) 16 m/s2
d) Tension force 15. The swimmer moves her hand down and to the
5. What type of force is exerted on an object left and her body goes forward to the right.
perpendicular to the surface with which it is What laws of motion can explain this?
contact? a) law of inertia
a) Tension force b) law of acceleration
b) Friction force c) law of interaction
c) Normal force d) d) law of gravitation
d) Gravitational force 16. A force of 20 N acts upon a 5 kg block. What
6. Which BEST illustrates zero net force? is its acceleration?
a) An object is at rest a) 4 m/s2 c) 10 m/s2
2
b) An accelerating object b) 5 m/s d) 20 m/s2
c) An object in free-fall motion 17. If these teams are pulling with the same
d) An object moving in circular motion amount of force what will happen?
7. What do you call the diagram which illustrates
all the forces acting on object?
a) Venn diagram
b) Force diagram
c) Vector diagram
d) Free-body diagram
8. Who is the scientist introduced the Three Laws a) The left team will win
of Motion? b) They will not move at all.
a) Aristotle c) Isaac Newton c) The right team will win.
b) Albert Einstein d) Thomas Edison d) Both will fall.
9. Which law of motion says that the harder you 18. A car is able to move on the road due to
kick a ball, the farther it will go? friction. Which type friction occurs between
a) First Law c) Third Law the wheels of the car and the surface of the
b) Second Law d) Law of Gravitation road?
10. Objects in orbit around the Earth (like a a) static friction c) kinetic friction
satellite) still have net forces acting on them. b) elastic friction d) potential friction
a) always true c) sometime true 19. Using the same situation in No. 18, which type
b) always false d) sometimes false of friction occurs between the wheels of the car
11. What will happen on a moving object that is and the surface of the road when the car is at
not acted on by an unbalanced force according rest?
to the first law of motion? a) static friction c) kinetic friction
a) accelerates b) elastic friction d) potential friction
b) remains in motion 20. In which surface is BEST to walk on?
c) changes its momentum a) ice c) rubber
d) eventually come to a stop b) metal d) dry concrete

-END OF TEST-
 19

REFERENCES

Douglas, G. (2007). Physics: Principles with Applications, 6th Edition. Pearson Education, Inc. San
Francisco, CA.

Young, H. & Geller, R. (2008). Sears & Zeamanky’s College Physics, 8th edition. Pearson Education,
Inc. San Francisco, CA
APPENDIX