Physics for the elite Work, Energy and Power

6. Work, Energy & Power

SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES
Learners should be able to:
a. Define work done.
b. Calculate work done.
c. Define energy.
d. Describe forms and sources of energy.
e. Relate energy conversions and work done.
f. Define power.
g. Relate power to rate of energy transferred
h. Perform calculations involving power

6.1 WORK
Work is done whenever force is applied on an object and object move direction of force
applied.
Work can only be done if the object or system has energy. When work is done energy is
transferred and this energy transfer is equals to work done.
Work is done when a force moves.
Work done can be calculated using the following formula:
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 = 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 × 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆
𝑾 = 𝑭 × 𝒅
 Unit of work done is joules.
 One joule is defined as the work done when a force of one newton (N) moves an object
through a distance of one metre (m) in the direction of the force.
Energy is required for an object to do work.
No work is done if the applied force F does not displace the object along the direction of
the force.
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No work is done in the scientific sense by someone standing still holding a heavy pile of
books: an upward force is exerted, but no motion results.
If a building worker carries ten bricks up to the first floor of a building, he does more
work than if he carries only one brick because he has to exert a larger force.
Even more work is required if he carries the ten bricks to the second floor.
The amount of work done depends on the size of the force applied and the distance it
moves.

CONDITIONS WHEN NO WORK IS DONE

NO work is done when
1. The object does not move (E.g. A boy pushing against a tree does no work) the
direction of the force and the direction in which the point of application moves are
perpendicular to one another (E.g. A boy carrying a stack of books while walking.)

If no work is done WHY do you feel tired (if you are the one doing the activity)?
Why:
When your muscles are used to exert a force on something, the individual muscle fibres
are in a constant process of contracting and releasing to exert a steady force on an
external object.
The contracting and releasing in those muscle fibres involves force and motion, and
hence, they are considered as internal work in your body.
The energy shows up as warming in your muscle tissue, but if the object (tree) doesn’t
move, no work is done on the object (tree)

2. No work is done on the stack of books in the upward direction as the stack of book is
only moving horizontally.
Why
If the box is being carried at constant velocity, then no net force is necessary to keep it in
motion.
The force exerted by the person is an upward force equal to the weight of the box, and
that force is perpendicular to the motion.
If there is no motion in the direction of the force, then no work in done by that force.
However, you certainly feel like you are doing work if you carry a heavy box.
The resolution of the paradox is similar to scenario A – your muscles must maintain an
extra tension to stay upright under the load.
This requires a greater amount of internal contraction and release of our muscle fibers,
and hence internal work in our bodies.
But the work done on the box is zero since by moving in a straight line at constant speed,
the force (which you exert on the object) does NOT move the object in the direction of the
force.

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QUESTION
Tanyaradzwa was pushing a box with a force of 50 N through a horizontal path of 3.0 m.

Calculate the work done by Tanyaradzwa.

SOLUTION
𝑾 = 𝑭 × 𝒅
= 𝟓𝟎 × 𝟑
= 𝟏𝟓𝟎𝑱

QUESTION
A volume of 0.78m3 of water passes through the pump in one hour. The density of water is
1000kg/m3.
(a) Calculate the mass of water that passes through the pump in one hour. [2]
(b) The water rises 1.5m. The gravitational field strength g is 10N/kg. Calculate the useful
work done in one hour raising the water to the top of the fountain. [2]

SOLUTIONS
(a) Mass of water that passes through the pump in one hour:
𝑚
𝜌=
𝑉
𝑚 =𝜌 ×𝑉
= 1 000 × 0.78
= 𝟕𝟖𝟎𝒌𝒈

(b) Useful work done in one hour:

𝑊 =𝐹 ×𝑑
= 𝑚𝑔 × 𝑑
= 780 × 10 × 1.5
= 𝟏𝟏 𝟕𝟎𝟎𝑱 (𝟏𝟏. 𝟕𝒌𝑱)

QUESTION
A boy pulls a 1 kg toy wagon along a smooth (i.e. no friction) horizontal floor over a distance
of 5 m. If the speed of the wagon increases at a constant rate of 2m/s2, what is the work
done by the boy?

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SOLUTION
The net resultant force on the toy wagon can be given by Newton’s Second Law:
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎.
Since the floor is smooth (no friction), the net resultant force on the toy wagon is just the
force exerted by the boy.
𝐹 =1×2
= 2𝑁
Hence,
𝑊 =𝐹 ×𝑑
=2×5
= 10𝐽
NB: In an energy transfer, work is done.
The work done is a measure of the amount of energy transferred.
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 = 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝑼𝒔𝒆𝒅
WORK TO KINETIC ENERGY
When a force moves an object, it does work on the object and the object gains kinetic
energy.
If there are no dissipative forces (i.e. friction/air resistance) on an object (e.g. a box), 5
joules of work done on pushing the object will translate to the object gaining 5 joules of
kinetic energy.
QUESTION
The engine of a car exerts a constant force of 10 kN. The car is able to accelerate constantly
from rest to a speed of 30m/s in 10 seconds. Determine the work done by the engine of the
car and the kinetic energy of the car at the end of the 10 seconds.

SOLUTION
Distance travelled by the car
𝟏
𝒔 = 𝒗𝒕
𝟐
𝟏
= (𝟑𝟎)(𝟏𝟎)
𝟐
= 𝟏𝟓𝟎𝒎
The work done by the engine of the car will be:
𝑾=𝑭𝒅
= 𝟏𝟎 𝟎𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟓𝟎
= 𝟏 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑱 (𝟏. 𝟓𝑴𝑱)(𝟏. 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑱)

WORK TO GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY

When a force moves/lift an object upwards at a constant speed, it does work on the
object and the object gains potential energy.
If there are no dissipative forces (i.e. friction/air resistance) on an object (e.g. a box), 5
joules of work done on pushing the object will translate to the object gaining 5 joules of
kinetic energy.
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QUESTION
A 5 kg box is raised 50 m from its original position. What is the gain in gravitational
potential energy? Assume gravitational field strength = 10N/kg. How much work is needed
to raise the box to its new position? Assume that no energy is lost to air resistance.

SOLUTION
Work done:
𝑾=𝑭 ×𝒅
= 𝒎𝒈 × 𝒅
= 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝟓𝟎
= 𝟐 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝑱 (𝟐. 𝟓𝒌𝑱)

6.2 ENERGY
Energy of a system is defined as its capacity to do work.
 SI unit : joules (J)
 Scalar Quantity; Energy has magnitude only.

PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY

 The Principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created nor
destroyed in any process.
 Total amount of energy of a closed system remains constant.
 Energy can be converted/transformed from one form to another. (Note: You can think of
the different forms of energy as some form of “currencies”, whereby the exchange rates
among the different “currencies” are 1:1.)
 E.g. A television converts electrical energy (electricity) into light, sound and thermal
energies.
 E.g. 2: Burning of fuels (wood) converts stored chemical energy into heat and light
energies.
 It can also be transferred from one body to another through work done and/or heat
exchanges.

FORMS OF ENERGY
 Chemical Energy
 Gravitational Potential Energy
 Elastic potential energy
 Kinetic Energy (or mechanical energy)
 Electrical Energy
 Thermal Energy (or heat)
 Light Energy
 Nuclear Energy
 Wind Energy

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CHEMICAL ENERGY
Food and Fuels like gas, wood, coal or petrol are stores of chemical energy.
When fuel burns, the store of energy released, usually as heat and light. Chemical energy
is stored in our bodies and batteries also.
The energy of food is released by chemical reactions in our bodies, and during the
transfer to other forms we are able to do useful jobs.
Fuels cause energy transfers when they are burnt in an engine or a boiler. Batteries are
compact sources of chemical energy, which in use is transferred to electrical energy.

ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Electrical energy is produced by energy transfers at power stations and in batteries
An electric current is a good way of transferring energy from one place to another. It
carries electrical energy. When the current flows through a component such as a heater, it
gives up some of its energy.
It is the commonest form of energy used in homes and industry because of the ease of
transmission and transfer to other forms.
LIGHT ENERGY
Very hot objects glow brightly. They are giving out light energy. Light radiates outwards
all around the hot object

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SOUND ENERGY
Sound energy is produced due to vibrations.
Any vibrating object is a source of sound

WIND ENERGY
Wind energy is caused due to the thermal energy of the sun.
Huge convectional current set up in the atmosphere and wind cause.

THERMAL ENERGY (OR HEAT)

If you get close to a hot object, you may feel thermal (heat) energy coming from it.
This is energy travelling from a hotter object to a colder object.
Causes temperature difference between objects.
It is transferred by conduction, convection or radiation.

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ELASTIC POTENTIAL ENERGY

If you stretch a rubber band, it becomes a store of strain energy. The band can give its
energy to a paper pellet and send it flying across the room.
Strain energy is the energy stored by an object that has been stretched or squashing in an
elastic way.

NUCLEAR ENERGY
A close relation of chemical energy is nuclear energy.
Uranium is an example of a nuclear fuel, which is a store of nuclear energy.

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 The mass can be changed into energy and energy can be changed into mass, i.e. mass and
energy are interchangeable.
 Einstein predicted that if the nuclear energy of a body changes by an amount E, its mass
changes by an amount m given by the equation
𝟐
𝑬 = 𝒎𝒄
Where:
𝑬 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑, 𝑱
𝒄 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 (3 × 108 𝑚/𝑠).
𝒎 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 (𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠), 𝒌𝒈
 The implication is that any reaction in which there is a decrease of mass, called a mass
defect, is a source of energy.
 The energy and mass changes in physical and chemical changes are very small; those in
some nuclear reactions, such as radioactive decay, are millions of times greater.
 It appears that mass (matter) is a very concentrated form of energy.

KINETIC ENERGY
Kinetic Energy, 𝑬𝒌 is the energy a body possessed by virtue of its motion.

All the moving objects have kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy can be used to do work.
𝟏
𝑬𝒌 = 𝒎𝒗𝟐
𝟐
Where
𝑚 = 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 (𝒊𝒏 𝒌𝒈)
𝑣 = 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 (𝒊𝒏 𝒎/𝒔)

 The faster an object moves, the greater the kinetic energy.

QUESTION
A projectile of mass 0.02 kg travels at a speed of 1200 m/s. Calculate its kinetic energy.

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SOLUTION
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑬𝑲 )
𝟏
= 𝒎𝒗𝟐
𝟐
𝟏
= × 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐 × 𝟏 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟐
𝟐
= 𝟏𝟒 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝑱 (𝟏𝟒. 𝟒𝒌𝑱)

QUESTION
A car of mass 2000kg is travelling at 10 m/s. Calculate its kinetic energy.

SOLUTION
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑬𝑲 )
𝟏
= 𝒎𝒗𝟐
𝟐
𝟏
= × 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟐
𝟐
= 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑱 (𝟏𝟎𝟎𝒌𝑱)

QUESTION
The diagram shows a windsurfer, sail and board.

The total mass of the windsurfer, sail and board is 90kg. they travel at a constant of 5.0m/s.
calculate the total kinetic energy of the windsurfer, sail and board.
SOLUTION
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑬𝑲 )
𝟏
= 𝒎𝒗𝟐
𝟐
𝟏
= × 𝟗𝟎 × 𝟓𝟐
𝟐
= 𝟏 𝟏𝟐𝟓𝑱
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QUESTION

SOLUTION
(i) 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑬𝑲 )
𝟏
= 𝒎𝒗𝟐
𝟐
𝟏
= × 𝟕𝟓 × 𝟒𝟐
𝟐
= 𝟔𝟎𝟎𝑱
(ii) Acceleration:
𝐹 = 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 − 𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑚𝑎 = 𝐷 − 𝐴
𝐷−𝐴
𝑎=
𝑚
30 − 20
=
75
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟑 𝒎/𝒔𝟐
POTENTIAL ENERGY
Potential Energy is the stored energy in a system.
 Example of chemical potential energy: Wood; When you burn wood, the chemical
potential energy in wood is converted into thermal energy (heat) and light.
 Example of elastic potential energy: Rubber band; when you stretch a rubber band,
elastic potential energy is stored in the stretched rubber band.
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY
Gravitational Potential Energy is defined as the amount of work done in order to raise the
body to the height h from a reference level.

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𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑬𝑷 ) = 𝒎𝒈𝒉
Where;
𝑚 = 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 (𝒊𝒏 𝒌𝒈),
𝑔 = 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 (𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒔−𝟐 ),
ℎ = 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 (𝒊𝒏 𝒎)
Conversion between Gravitational Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy
An object at 𝒙 m above the reference level (commonly taken to be the ground level) will
have gravitational potential energy of 𝒎𝒈𝒙.
When the object is released from the height (𝒙 m), the object will have all its gravitational
potential energy gradually converted into kinetic energy, just before it hits the ground.
(Assuming that there is no air resistance)

QUESTION
An object with a mass of 5 kg is lifted vertically through a distance of 10 m at a constant
speed. What is the gravitational potential energy gained by the object?
(Take the acceleration due to gravity to be 10 m s−2)

SOLUTION
𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑬𝑷 )
= 𝒎𝒈𝒉
= 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎
= 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝑱

QUESTION
A nail is being hammered into a plank.
1. What energy does a raised hammer possess?
2. When it falls, what energy will the energy in part a. convert into?
3. What is the subsequent energy used for?
4. Are there any other forms of energy produced? If so, name them.

SOLUTION
1. Gravitational potential energy
2. Kinetic energy
3. It is used to drive the nail into the plank
4. Some of the gravitational potential energy is converted into sound and thermal energy

QUESTION
A boy throws a stone into the air and catches it on the way down. State the energy
conversions that take place.

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SOLUTION
1. Just after the stone leaves the boy’s hand, the stone has maximum kinetic energy and
minimum gravitational potential energy.
2. As it rises, its kinetic energy is gradually converted into gravitational potential energy.
3. At the point of maximum height, the stone has only gravitational potential energy. At this
point, the stone has stopped momentarily so the kinetic energy of the stone is zero.
4. As it is falling down, the stone’s gravitational potential energy is gradually converted into
kinetic energy.
5. Just before the stone reaches the boy’s hand, it will have maximum kinetic energy and
minimum gravitational potential energy. However, due to energy losses from friction/air
resistance, the new kinetic energy of the stone will still be smaller than its initial kinetic
energy.

QUESTION
A block of mass 5 kg slides from rest (at the top of the slope) through a distance of 30 m
down a frictionless slope of 5m high slope. What is the kinetic energy of the block at the
bottom of the slope?
NOTE:
-The height of the slope is 5 m.
 At the top of the slope, the block will possess some gravitational potential energy.
 As the block slides down the slope, the gravitational potential energy will be converted
into kinetic energy.
 Hence, when the block reaches the bottom of the slope, ALL the gravitational potential
energy will be converted into kinetic energy.

SOLUTION
𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑬𝑷 )
= 𝒎𝒈𝒉
= 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝟓
= 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝑱
The kinetic energy of the block at the bottom of the slope will be 250 J.

QUESTION

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A block of mass 5 kg slides from rest (at the top of the slope) through a distance of 30 m
down a rough slope of height 5m. Considering that 30 J is dissipated as heat due to friction,
what is the kinetic energy of the block at the bottom of the slope?

SOLUTION
𝑷𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑬𝑷 ) = 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚(𝑬𝑲 ) + 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒈𝒚(𝑬𝑯 )
𝑬𝑲 = 𝑬𝑷 − 𝑬𝑯
= 𝟐𝟓𝟎 − 𝟑𝟎
= 𝟐𝟐𝟎𝑱

ENERGY SOURCES

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Renewable energy sources are energy sources that can be replenished over short period
of time.
e.g. solar energy, wind energy, hydro-energy, geothermal energy

SOLAR PANEL
Solar panels absorb energy from the sun and converted into electrical energy.
Most solar energy is collected through photovoltaic cells, typically made of silicon that
acts as a semiconductor.
The sun's rays contain heat and radiation.
When the rays hit the surface of the silicon cells, they cause a release of electrons that
roam freely.

ENERGY CONERSION
𝐿𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦−→ 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦

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ADVANTAGES
a) Low running cost
b) No major pollution
c) It is renewable energy source

DISADVANTAGES
a) Low efficiency
b) Covers a large area
c) Availability varies
d) Amount of current produced by solar cells is usually too small to power devices that need
large amount of electricity.
WIND ENERGY
Wind is a form of solar energy.
Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities
of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth.
Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetation.
Humans use this wind flow, or motion energy, for many purposes: sailing, flying a kite,
and even generating electricity.
In remote and exposed parts of the countries it is common to see many wind mills
grouped together to form wind farms.

Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. The
generator in the wind turbine can convert this mechanical power into electricity.

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ADVANTAGES
Renewable energy source
Non polluting

DISADVANTAGES
Wind is irregular
They are noisy
Occupies a lot of space
Power generated is relatively small
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
River and rain water fill up a lake behind dam.
Water rushes down from the lake and spin the turbine.
The turbine is connected to the generator, when the turbine rotates generator
also rotates and produce electricity.

ADAVANTAGES
Low running cost
It is renewable energy source
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DISADVANTAGES
Building large dam cause flooding of vast area of land
High building cost
Water pollution
Destroy the natural land area

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Non - renewable energy sources are the energy sources that cannot be replenished over
short period of time.
e.g. coal, fossil fuels, nuclear fuels
THERMAL POWER STATION
In thermal power station electricity is produced by burning non-renewable energy
sources like coal, oil, natural gas.
Thermal power stations have boiler, turbines and generator.
We use these non-renewable energy sources (coal, oil, natural gas) as a fuel for the
generation of heat energy by burning it.
As the heat energy is transferred into the boiler the water in boiler starts to boil and
evaporate the high pressurized steam.
These high pressure steam passes to the turbine and it rotates as a result the generator is
turned on and produce electricity.
Once steam has passed through the turbines, it is cooled and condensed (turned back
into a liquid) so that it can be fed back to the boiler and the process repeat.

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ADVANTAGES
It requires less space to build up the power stations as compared to other types of
generators.

DISADVANTAGES
It pollutes the atmosphere due to production of large amount of smoke and fumes. (air
pollution, global warming, acid rain)
Higher cost of running (for buying fuels).

ASSIGNMENT: ENERGY
QUESTION 1
A garden pond contains a small fountain.

An electric pump in the water causes the water to rise above the surface of the pond
(a) Describe the energy changes that occur within the pump. [3]
(b) A volume of 0.78 m3 of water passes through the pump in one hour. The density of water
is 1000 kg / m3.
(i) Calculate the mass of water that passes through the pump in one hour. [3]
(ii) The water rises 1.5 m. The gravitational field strength g is 10 N / kg. Calculate the useful
work done in one hour raising the water to the top of the fountain. [2]
(iii) Calculate the minimum power output of the pump. [2]
(c) Describe an experiment to check that the density of water is 1000 kg/m3. [2]
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QUESTION 2
A lorry of mass 4.4 × 104 kg travels along a straight, horizontal road at 20 m / s.
(a) Calculate the kinetic energy of the lorry. [3]
(b) The lorry driver sees an obstruction ahead and applies the brakes. The lorry slows down
and stops. The lorry stops a distance of 40 m from where the driver first applies the brakes.
As it slows down, the kinetic energy of the lorry decreases to zero. The kinetic energy
decreases as work is done by the braking force exerted on the lorry.
(i) State the formula that relates the work done to the braking force. [1]
(ii) Calculate the braking force exerted on the lorry. [2]

QUESTION 3
Fig below shows a hydroelectric power station. Water from the lake is used to produce
electricity in the turbine house.

(a) State where the water in Fig below has the least potential energy. [1]
(b) Some power stations burn coal to produce the same electrical power output. State one
advantage of the hydroelectric power station. [1]
(c) State one harmful effect that the hydroelectric power station may have on the
environment. [1]
d) In 30 minutes, the water loses 5.0 × 109 J of energy and 4.5 × 109 J of electrical energy is
produced in the turbine house.
(i) Calculate the efficiency of the energy conversion. [1]
(ii) Calculate, in watts, the electrical power output from the turbine house. [3]

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SOLUTION: ENERGY

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6.3 POWER

POWER BASICS
Power is defined as the rate of work done or energy converted with respect to time.
The more powerful a machine is, the quicker it does a fixed amount of work or transfer
fixed amount of energy.
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Power can be calculated using the formula:
𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = =
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏

𝑾 𝑬
𝑷= 𝑶𝑹 𝑷=
𝒕 𝒕

Where W = work, t = time, E = Energy

SI Unit for power is watt (W)

It’s a scalar quantity.

One watt (W) is defined as the rate of work done or energy conversion of one joule per
second.
𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒆
𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒕 = →→→→ →→ →→ 1W=1J s−1
𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅

Power tells us how fast work is being done or how fast energy is being converted from
one form to another.
Another useful equation for power:
𝑷 = 𝑭𝒗
, where F = force, v = velocity
Simple derivation of 𝑷 = 𝑭𝒗
In some questions, the formulation of power in terms of force and velocity will be useful
in the problem-solving.
The formula 𝑷 = 𝑭𝒗 can be simply derived as seen below:
𝑷 = 𝑾𝒕
𝑭×𝒅
=
𝒕
= 𝑭𝒗
𝒅
𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒗 =
𝒕
QUESTION
A lift in a shopping mall can raise a maximum of 20 people through a height of 10m in 8
seconds. The lift and its passengers have a total mass of 16000kg. What is the power of the
lift motor?

SOLUTION
Force applied by the lift =𝑚𝑔
=1 600 × 10
=16 000𝑁

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Work done by the lift =𝐹𝑑
=16 000 × 10
=160 000𝐽
𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒
Power of the motor =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛
160 000
=
8
=𝟐𝟎 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑾 (𝟐𝟎𝒌𝑾)
QUESTION
A boy has a weight of 500N and can run up a flight of stairs in 10s. There are 30 steps and
each is of height 16 cm. calculate the boy’s power?

SOLUTION
Vertical distance climbed =30 × 0.16
=𝟒. 𝟖𝑵

Work done by the lift =𝐹𝑑

=500 × 4.8
=𝟐 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝑱

𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒
Power of the motor =𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛
2 400
= 10
=𝟐𝟒𝟎𝑾
QUESTION
A crane lifts a concrete block of weight 12000 N through a vertical height of 8.0 m in 30s.
Calculate power develop by the crane.

SOLUTION
Work done by the crane =𝐹𝑑
=1 200 × 8
=𝟗𝟔 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑱

𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒
Power of the motor =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛
96 000
=
30
=𝟑 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝑾
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An engine does useful work with some of the energy supplied to it, but the rest is wasted
as thermal energy and other forms.
The more efficient the object, less energy wasted from the object.

EFFICIENCY
From the Principle of Conservation of Energy, we know that the total energy output of a
machine must be equal to its energy input.
However, it is found that the energy output of a machine is always less than the energy
input.
This phenomena can be attributed to the work done against frictional forces, which is
considered as wasted energy output.
Hence, we have:
𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 = 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕 + 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕
Efficiency of a system is given by:
𝑼𝒔𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕
𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕

QUESTION
A fat man and a thin man (with half of the mass of the fat man) ran to the top of a hill in the
same time. Whose power output is higher? Why?

SOLUTION
Power is given by P=Wt.
The time, t, is the same for both fat man and thin man.
The work done by the fat man will be larger than the work done by the thin man.
Hence, the power output by the fat man is higher.

QUESTION
Energy from petrol is used to operate an engine. The engine drives a generator, which
produces electrical energy.
What is the overall efficiency of the process?

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SOLUTION
𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕
𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕
𝟏𝟎𝟎
= × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟒𝟎𝟎
= 𝟐𝟓%
QUESTION
An electric motor is rated at 1.0 kW. If 60% of the input energy is lost as heat and sound,
find the amount of useful energy produced in half hour. Hence or otherwise, find the
efficiency of the electric motor.

SOLUTION
Input energy =𝑃𝑡
=1 000 × 30 × 60
=𝟏. 𝟖 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑱

Output energy =0.4 × 1.8 × 106 𝐽

=𝟕. 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑱

𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕

𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕
𝟕.𝟐×𝟏𝟎𝟓
= 𝟏.𝟖×𝟏𝟎𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
= 𝟒𝟎%
ASSIGNMENT: POWER
QUESTION 1
The diagram shows a motor used to operate a lift (elevator). There is a man in the lift.

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The input power to the motor is 6200 watts.
(a) Define the watt. [2]
(b) The lift and the man have a total mass of 580 kg. The lift moves up a distance of 12 m in
15 s.
(i) Calculate the tension in the cable when the lift is moving at constant speed. [1]
(ii) Calculate the increase in potential energy of the lift and man. [2]
(iii) Calculate the efficiency of the motor. [2]
QUESTION 2
The diagram shows an electric motor lifting a load.

An electric motor lifting a load. The load, of weight 5.0 N, is raised through a vertical height
of 3.5 m at a constant speed. The efficiency of the electric motor is 0.65 (65%).
(a) Calculate the increase in gravitational potential energy of the load. [2]
(b) (i) State the formula that relates efficiency, energy input and useful energy output. [1]
(b)(ii) Calculate the energy input to the motor. [2]
(c) Suggest one reason why the efficiency of the motor is less than 1.0 (100%). [1]
QUESTION 3
The diagram shows the dam and reservoir of a hydroelectric power station.

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A hydroelectric power station uses a renewable energy source.
(a) State three other renewable energy sources. [3]
(b) When the power station is full capacity, the electrical power output is 6.8 × 109 W.
(i) 1. Calculate the electrical energy output of the power station if it is at full capacity for one
year. [1]
2. Suggest why, in practice, the power station does not operate at full capacity throughout
the year. [1]
(ii) The water surface in the reservoir that supplies the hydroelectric power station is at a
vertical height of 170 m above the turbines. In one hour, 1.6 × 1010 kg of water flows from
the reservoir through the turbines. The gravitational field strength g is 10 N / kg.
1. Calculate the gravitational potential energy that is converted into other forms of energy in
one hour. [2]
2. Calculate the efficiency of the power station when operating at full capacity. [2]
3. Suggest two reasons why the efficiency of the power station is less than 1.0 (100%). [2]

SOLUTION: POWER

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TEST: WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE

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SECTION B: THEORY

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SOLUTION: WORK, ENERGY & POWER

SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE
Question 1 [B]
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 = 𝑭 × 𝒅 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 × 𝟎. 𝟖𝟎 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎𝟎𝑱
Question 2 [A]
Energy in coal – Chemical energy
Water to steam – Heat energy
Turning turbine – Kinetic energy
Transformers – Electrical energy
Question 3 [C]
Energy in water – Potential energy
Turning turbine – Kinetic energy
Transformers – Electrical energy
Question 4 [C]
𝑬 = 𝒎𝒄𝟐 = 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐𝟖 × (𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 )𝟐 = 𝟐𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟏 = 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟏 𝑱

Question 5 [D]
No chemical energy since the toy car is pushed. No potential energy since it’s a level floor

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Question 6 [B]
𝑬 = 𝒎𝒄𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 × (𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 )𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝑱
Question 7 [B]
At P – potential energy
Between P & Q – gain kinetic energy
At Q - heat energy
Question 8 [B]
Emit energy – decrease in energy – decrease in mass
Absorb energy – increase in energy – increase in mass
Question 9 [A]
Downhill – loses potential energy
Gains speed – increases kinetic energy
Applies brakes - gain heat energy
Question 10 [A]
𝟏
𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = 𝑴𝒗𝟐
𝟐
1 𝑀 1 𝑀 1 𝑀 𝟏
𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = × × (2𝑣)2 = × × 4𝑣 2 = × × 2𝑣 2 = ( 𝑴𝒗𝟐 ) × 𝟐
2 2 2 2 2 2 𝟐

Question 11 [B]
It has the greatest height above the earth.
Question 12 [D]
1 1
𝑷 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = × (1) × (3)2 = 0.5 × 1 × 9 = 𝟒. 𝟓 𝑱
2 2
1 1
𝑸 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = × (2) × (2)2 = 0.5 × 2 × 4 = 𝟒 𝑱
2 2
1 1
𝑹 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = × (5) × (1)2 = 0.5 × 5 × 1 = 𝟐. 𝟓 𝑱
2 2
Question 13 [B]
𝑬𝒑 = 𝒎𝒈𝒉
𝟒𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝒎 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝟏. 𝟖
=
𝟏𝟎 × 𝟏. 𝟖 𝟏𝟎 × 𝟏. 𝟖
𝒎 = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝒌𝒈
Question 14 [B]
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 = 𝑭 × 𝒅 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎 × 𝟑𝟎𝟎 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑱
𝑾 𝟏𝟖𝟎 𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = = = 𝟓𝟎𝑾
𝒕 𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎

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Question 15 [B]
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 = 𝑭 × 𝒅 = 𝟓𝟎 × 𝟒. 𝟖 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎𝑱
𝑾 𝟐𝟒𝟎
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = = = 𝟐𝟒𝑾
𝒕 𝟏𝟎
Question 16 [B]
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 = 𝑭 × 𝒅 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝟐. 𝟓 = 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑱
𝑾 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = = = 𝟏𝟔𝟕𝑾
𝒕 𝟑𝟎
Question 17 [B]
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 = 𝑭 × 𝒅 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑱
𝑾 𝟔𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = = = 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝑾
𝒕 𝟏𝟐
Question 18 [A]
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 = 𝑭 × 𝒅 = (𝟐𝟎𝟎 × 𝟖) × 𝟏. 𝟓 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎𝟎𝑱
𝑾 𝟐𝟒𝟎𝟎
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = = = 𝟓𝟎𝑾
𝒕 𝟒𝟖
Question 19 [D]
𝑬 𝟐. 𝟕
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 = = = 𝟎. 𝟗 𝑾
𝒕 𝟑
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝟔. 𝟎 − 𝟎. 𝟗 = 𝟓. 𝟏 𝑾
𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝟓. 𝟏
𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 = = = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓
𝑷𝒊𝒏 𝟔. 𝟎
Question 20 [C]

SECTION B: THEORY

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