Work and Energy Ch # 04

Chapter # 04
Work and Energy
Q2) Write short answers of the following questions.
i) A bucket is taken to the bottom of a well, does the bucket possess any P.E. Explain?
Answer: Yes, bucket possesses P.E. when a bucket is taken to the bottom of a well some work is done against
the up thrust of water. This work done is stored in the form of potential energy in the bucket. We can also say
that the bucket possess some negative potential energy with reference to the ground level.

ii) When an arrow is shot from its bow, it has K.E. From where does it get the K.E?
Answer: When bow is stretched backward with arrow in it then elastic potential energy stores in he bow and
arrow. Elastic potential energy stored in bow and arrow is equal to the work done to stretch the bow. When
arrow is shot then its stored elastic potential energy converts into K.E. of arrow due to which the arrow moves
in the forward direction.

iii) Does a hydrogen filled balloon possess any P.E? Explain.

Answer: Yes, a hydrogen filled balloon possesses potential energy. The capacity of a body to do work is
called energy. Hydrogen is the lightest gas and its density is less than air. Therefore the up thrust force acting
on hydrogen filled balloon is greater than the weight of the balloon and the net force acting on the balloon is:
Fnet = up thrust force – weight
This net force acting on hydrogen filled balloon moves it upward. When hydrogen filled balloon moves up
against the gravity its position change with respect to ground and potential energy increases.

iv) Is K.E. a vector quantity?

Answer: No, K.E. is a scalar quantity as it can be expressed in terms of scalar product.

( )

As mass of body is scalar and ( ) also provide a scalar quantity. Hence K.E. of a body is scalar
quantity.

v) What happens to K.E. of a bullet when it penetrates into a target?

Answer: Moving bullet possess K.E. when it hits the target and penetrate, some part of its K.E. is used
against friction provided by target material and is also dissipates energy in the form of heat and sound.
According to work energy principle

When bullet comes to rest vf = 0

( )

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 Work and Energy Ch # 04

- ve sign shows that K.E. is lost. This loss of K.E. is equal to work done to penetrate the bullet in to target.

vi) Does the tension in the string of a swinging pendulum do any work? Explain.
Answer: No, it does not do any work. The tension in the string does not do work because it is always
perpendicular to the curved path (i.e. instantaneous displacement).
Since, W = F d cos 90˚ = F d (0) = 0

vii) A meteor when enters into the earth's atmosphere burns. What happens to its energy?
Answer: When meteor enters the earth atmosphere then air friction acts on it. The huge amount of energy is
used against the resistive force of the atmosphere, in bringing the meteor to rest. The loss of K.E. appears in
the form of heat energy which burns the meteor to ashes.

viii) What type of energy is stored in the spring of watch?

Answer: A compressed spring of watch stores elastic P.E. in it, which is given by formula

This elastic P.E. stored in the spring is equal to work done to compress the spring. This elastic P.E. stored in
the spring again convert into mechanical energy to move the arms of the watch.

ix) A man drops a cup from a certain height, which breaks into pieces. What energy changes are
involved?
Answer: A cup thrown from certain height losses its gravitational potential energy and gain its K.E. When it
strikes the ground then a part of this kinetic energy is used to break the cup and rest of the energy converts
into:
(a) Sound energy, (b) K.E. of scattered moving pieces, and (c) Heat energy dissipated against friction.

x) A man rowing boat upstream is at rest with respect to shore, is he doing work?
Answer: No work is done as boat is at rest with respect shore, so it covers no displacement with respect to
shore. Therefore d = 0.
Since W = F d cos θ = F (0) cos θ = 0

xi) Why energy savers used are instead of normal bulbs?

Answer: energy savers are used instead of normal bulb due to following reasons:
a) The consumption of energy in energy savers is far less than normal light bulbs.
b) Energy savers produce light of high power and intensity as compared to normal light bulbs.
c) Energy savers produce very little amount of heat, while 98% of input is converted into heat in light bulbs.