Chapter 6

Work and Energy

INTRODUCTION:

• One type of problem that occurs in dynamics involves the relation between force, displacement, and
velocity
• Technique known as Work-energy method is particularly adapted for solving such problems — this
method eliminates consideration of acceleration and leads directly to the desired solution.
• In most applications it also eliminates consideration of forces which are internal to a system of bodies.
• Generally speaking, the Work-energy method is usually faster and easier than force-inertia method
• However, the force-inertia method is indepensable or necessary for determining the
instantaneous acceleration caused by variable forces or moments

WORK AND KINETIC ENERGY:

WORK
• Work is said to be done when a force applied to an object moves that object.
• Work is said to be done when a body or object moves with the application of
external force. We can define work as an activity involving a movement and
force in the direction of the force.
• Work is done when force is exerted on an object, and the object moves from one
place to another. Work is the result of a force, acting over a certain distance.

KINETIC

• Energy which a body possesses by virtue of being in motion.

• Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. An object that has motion – whether it
is vertical or horizontal motion – has kinetic energy.
• It is the energy possessed by a body because of its motion
• A form of energy that an object or a particle has by reason of its motion. If
work, which transfer energy, is done on an object by applying a net force, the
object speeds up and thereby gains kinetic energy.
• Kinetic energy of an object is the measure of the work an object can do by the
virtue of its motion.

 the terms work and kinetic energy are used to defined certain mathematical
expressions
 an example for this was found when we defined the moment of inertia of an area
𝟐
equivalent to the mathematical expression 𝝆 𝒅𝑨 ∫
in the following articles we shall do two things:

1. Derive the mathematical expressions which define work and kinetic energy as
applied to translation, rotation, and plane motion.
2. Discuss the technique, use, and advantages of the work-energy method as
applied to these motions.
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

WORK and ENERGY:
Work is closely related to energy. The work-energy principles states that an
increase in the kinetic energy of rigid body is caused by an equal amount of positive
work done on the body of the resultant force acting on that body.

What is the relationship between work and energy?

The relationship between work done and energy is very will explained by the
work-energy theorem

 The work-energy theorem states that the work done on an object is equal to
the change in the kinetic energy of that object

What is the difference between work and energy?

Work is the transferring of an amount of energy with the help of a force

covering a particular distance through a direction. Energy is also referred to as the
force which works at a certain distance.

WORK-ENERGY THEOREM
The principle of work and kinetic energy (also known as the work-energy
theorem) states that the work done by the sum of all forces acting on a particle
equals the change in the kinetic energy of the particle, This definition can be
extended to rigid bodies by defining the work of the torques and rotational kinetic
energy.

KINETIC ENERGY: A force does work on the block. The kinetic energy of the block
increases as a result by the amount of work. This relationship is generalized in the
work-energy theorem.

• The work W done by the net force on a particle equals the change in the
particle’s kinetic energy KE:

𝑾 = ∆𝑲𝑬 = 𝟏⁄𝟐 𝒎𝒗𝟐𝒇 − 𝟏⁄𝟐 𝒎𝒗𝟐𝒊

▪ where Vi and Vf are the speeds of the particle before and after the
application of force, and m is the particle’s mass
▪ The net work done (work done by net force) on an object equals to
the change in the object’s KINETIC ENERGY

𝑾𝒏𝒆𝒕 = ∆𝑲𝑬 = 𝑲𝑬𝟐 − 𝑲𝑬𝟏

𝑭𝒏𝒆𝒕 𝒅 = 𝑲𝑬𝟐 − 𝑲𝑬𝟏
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

FUNDAMENTAL WORK-ENERGY EQUATION FOR RECTILINEAR
TRANSLATION
• The mathematical expressions defining work and kinetic energy as applied to
translation are obtained by considering the following equation already
derived:

▪ Note that the first member of eq. (1) equates the resultant force
acting at any instant to the corresponding acceleration
▪ The value of a 𝚺𝑿
depends on the value on the value of
▪ It may be constant or variable depending on whether 𝚺𝑿 is
constant or variable.
▪ The second member of eq. (1) expresses the instantaneous value of
acceleration in terms of instantaneous velocity.
▪ Eliminating a in the two equations results in:

Which is defined as the differential form of work-energy

relationship
▪ Assuming that the initial velocity is Vo at zero displacement and the
final velocity is V at the final displacement s we ay integrate eq. (b)
to obtain:

Eq . C
Where :

𝒔
∫𝟎 ∑ 𝑿 ∙ 𝒅𝒔 – resultant work (RW) or network
(Wknet) or work done by the net force (Fnet · d)

𝑾
½ 𝒗𝟐 — kinetic energy
𝒈

FINAL EQUATION:
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

• The resultant work
on a translating
body is equal to the
corresponding
change in the kinetic
energy.

WORK-ENERGY EQUATION FOR CONSTANT FORCES:

 If the forces acting on a body are constant, the resultant force ∑ 𝑿 will be
constant therefore Eq. C will be:

𝑾 𝑾 𝑾 𝟐
𝚺𝑿 ∙ 𝒔 = 𝟏⁄𝟐 𝒗𝟐 − 𝟏⁄𝟐 𝒗𝟐𝒐 = (𝒗 − 𝒗𝟐𝒐 )
𝒈 𝒈 𝟐𝒈
𝚺𝑿 ∙ 𝒔 – resultant work done on a body as it moves through a linear
displacement 𝒔

WORK
Consider a body subjected to
the forces as shown, which
move up the incline plane

 Selecting the X axis as positive in the direction of motion, the resultant of the
unbalanced force system is:
∑ 𝑿 = 𝑷 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝛉 − 𝐖 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉 − 𝐅 Eq. (a)
 Multiplying both sides of Eq. (a) by s :
𝚺𝑿 ∙ 𝒔 = (𝑷𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽)𝒔 − (𝑾 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽)𝒔 − 𝑭 ∙ 𝒔 Eq. (b)
(𝑷 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽)𝒔 – accelerating work or positive work
−(𝑾 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽)𝒔 − 𝑭 ∙ 𝒔 – retarding work or negative work
RW (resultant work) – the algebraic sum of the positive and negative work

Two interpretations of work done by a force:

Chapter 6

Work and Energy

 According to Fig. a, for (𝑷 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽)𝒔
work may be defined as the
product of the component of the
force in the direction of the
displacement multiplied by the
displacement.
 Force perpendicular to the
displacement such as N do not
work because they have no
component in the direction of
displacement
 According to Fig. a, for P(𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽)
work may be interpreted as the
product of the force multiplied
by the component of the
displacement in the direction of
the force.
 The work done by W may be written
as: − 𝑊(𝑠 sin 𝜃) = −𝑊ℎ
o The vertical rise of the
block
 Therefore, the work done by
gravity forces is the product of
the weight multiplied by the
change in vertical displacement
being negative when the direction
of W is opposite to the vertical
displacement, and positive when
they are both downward.

APPLICATION OF THE WORK-ENERGY METHOD: CONSTANT FORCES

• If a body subjected to different sets of forces during different phases of its
motions, the resultant worked summed up for all these phases may be equated
directly to the total change in kinetic energy.

• It is not necessary to compute the velocity at the end of any phase so that it
may be used as the initial velocity for the next phase

Example; that the car of weight W lb shown in the figure starting with a velocity 𝑣𝑜
reaches the bottom of an incline 𝑠1 ft long with a velocity 𝑣1 and then rolls a
distance 𝑠2 ft along the level to a position at which its velocity is 𝑣2

 writing the work-energy relation for the displacements 𝑠1 and 𝑠2 we have:

Chapter 6

Work and Energy

𝑊 2 1⁄ 𝑊 𝑣 2
Σ𝑋1 ∙ 𝑠1 = 1⁄2 𝑣 − 2𝑔 0
𝑔 1
𝑊 1⁄ 𝑊 𝑣 2
Σ𝑋2 ∙ 𝑠2 = 1⁄2 𝑣22 − 2𝑔 1
𝑔

𝑊 2 W 2
Σ𝑋1 ∙ 𝑠1 + Σ𝑋2 ∙ 𝑠2 = ∫ Σ𝑋. 𝑑𝑠 =
𝑣 − 𝑣
2𝑔 2 2g 0
 the left side of the equation represents the sum of resultant work during the
displacements 𝑠1 and 𝑠2

 the right side of equation express the change in kinetic energy in terms of
initial and final velocities 𝑣𝑜 and 𝑣2

 In spite that two different accelerations involved during the displacements 𝑠1

and 𝑠2 we may therefore sum up the work done during the several phases of a
motion and equate the resultant work to the total change in kinetic energy

 an outstanding advantage of the work-energy method is that it may be applied

directly to a system of bodies without the need for considering any of the
internal forces such as tensions in connecting cords
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

Problem 1404: A constant force P = 150 lb
acts on the body as shown during only
the first 20 ft of its motion from rest. If
find the velocity of the body after it
has moved a total distance of 30 ft.
Problem 1405: After the block has moved
10 ft from rest, the constant force P is
removed. Find the velocity of the
block when it returns to its initial
position.

From A to B:

From B to C:

From C to A:

Problem 1407: Find the velocity of body A after it has moved 10 ft from rest.
Assume the pulley to be weightless and frictionless.
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

Problem 1406: What force P will give the
system of bodies a velocity of 30 fps
after moving 20 ft from rest?

For 50 lb

For 200 lb

For 100 lb

RESULTANT WORK: VARIABLE FORCES

𝑾
➢ the general form of work-energy equation is given by ∫ ∑𝑿. 𝒔 = (𝒗𝟐 − 𝒗𝟐𝒐 )
𝟐𝒈
and it has been applied to cases ∑𝑿 remained constant

➢ in many cases ∑𝑿 varies, and it is with them that we are interested here

➢ an examination of the first term of the above equation shows that if ∑𝑿 is

variable it must be expressed in terms of 𝑺 before the resultant work can be
found mathematically

➢ in many cases a mathematical relation between ∑𝑿 and 𝑺 cannot be found

although experimental methods may be used the relation graphically
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

FORCE-DISPLACEMENT DIAGRAM:

➢ from the force-displacement diagram, it is clearly seen that for a differential

displacement 𝒅𝒔 the resultant force 𝜮𝑿 may be considered constant

➢ since the area of the small shaded rectangle represents the term 𝜮𝑿. 𝒅𝒔, it
𝒔
follows that the resultant work ∫ 𝜮𝑿. 𝒅𝒔 is represented by the area under the
𝒐
force-displacement diagram curve.

➢ this gives a simple method of computing the work done by the force which are
directly proportional to displacement, like spring

➢ the force-displacement for a spring is a straight line determined from Hooke’s

law by the equation 𝒌 in which 𝑷 = 𝒌𝒔 is known as spring modulus
➢ this modulus or spring constant represent the force required to deform (stretch or
compress) a given spring through a unit distance

𝒔
➢ since the resultant work ∫𝒐 𝜮𝑿. 𝒅𝒔 is represented by the area under the
force-displacement diagram, the work done in deforming a spring from its free
or unloaded length to an extension (or compression) of 𝑺 units is the area of
the triangle OAB or:
𝐬
∫ 𝚺𝐗. 𝐝𝐬 = 𝟏⁄𝟐 𝐤𝐬. 𝐬 = 𝟏⁄𝟐 𝐤𝐬𝟐
𝐨
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

➢ the force-displacement diagram is useful in determining the work required to
stretch a spring from an initial deformation 𝒔𝟏 to a larger deformation 𝒔𝟐
➢ the resultant work in this case is the area of the trapezoid CDEF which is
equivalent to the average force multiplied by the change in deformation, or:

➢ this is given by the equation:

𝒌𝒔𝟏 + 𝒌𝒔𝟐
𝑹𝑾 = (𝒔𝟐 − 𝒔𝟏 )
𝟐
➢ since the force exerted by a spring depends only on the spring constant and
the magnitude of the spring deformation, the work done is due only to the
change in length of spring and is independent of any rotation of the spring

PROBLEMS

Problem 1418: A block weighing 96.6 lb is dropped from a height of 4 ft upon a spring
whose modulus is 100 lb per in. What velocity will the block have at the instant the
spring is deformed 4 inches?

Formula:

𝑾
∑𝑿. 𝒔 =
𝟐𝒈
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

Problem 1419: A 600-lb block slides down an incline having a slope of 3 vertical
to 4 horizontal. It starts from rest, and after moving 4 ft, strikes a spring
whose modulus is 100 lb per ft. If the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.20,
find the maximum velocity of the block.

Problem 1421: A weight of W lb is suspended from a vertical spring whose

modulus is 𝒌 lb per ft. The weight is pulled down 𝒔 ft from its equilibrium
position and then released. Determine its velocity when it returns to the
equilibrium position.
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

From A to B:

From B to C:
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

Problem 1425: The car is moving toward the bumper spring and has a kinetic energy
of 100,000 in-lb. The main bumper shield (a) is connected to the main spring,
which has a modulus of 1000 lb per inch. The two auxiliary shield (b) are 12 in.
behind aa and are attached to secondary springs, each of which has a modulus
of 500 lb per in. When the car is brought to rest, what will have been the
greatest movement of aa? What percentage of the energy has been absorbed by
the main spring?

Greatest movement of aa = 12 + 2
Greatest movement of aa = 12 inches

Energy Absorbed by Main Spring aa:

%Energy Absorbed by Main Spring aa:

USE:
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

POWER: EFFICIENY
➢ Power is defined as the time rate at which work is done on a body

➢ the term power provides a useful basis for determining the type of motor or
machine which is required to do certain work in a given use

➢ for example, two motor pumps may each may tach be able to empty a reservoir
if given enough time; however, the pump having the larger power will complete
the job sooner

➢ expressed mathematically:

𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌
𝑷𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑹 =
𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆

➢ this gives the average power

➢ if 𝑭 is the net force doing the work, then the work during any instant is given
by 𝜮𝑿. 𝒅𝒔 = 𝑭 . 𝒅𝒔

➢ the power exerted at any instant is:

𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒔
𝑷𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑹 = = 𝑭.
𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒅𝒕

𝑷𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑹 = 𝑭𝒗

➢ that is, the power exerted at any instant is the product of the net force
multiplied by the instantaneous velocity

➢ the unit of power depends on the units of work and time

➢ common units are ft-lb per sec and kg-m per sec in the gravitational system
and dyne-cm per sec (erg) or the joule per sec in the absolute system

➢ these units are usually too small for use in engineering

➢ the units commonly used here are the horsepower (hp) and watt and kilowatt
(kW)

1 hp = 550 ft-lb/sec

1 hp = 33,000 ft-lb/min

1 hp = 746 W

1 hp = 0.746 kW
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

1 W = 1 N.m/sec

➢ for large quantities of work, the units are horsepower-hour (hp-hr) and the
kilowatt-hour (kW-hr)

➢ these units indicate the amount of work done in one hour at constant rate of 1
hp or 1 kW

EFFICIENCY :
➢ because of losses resulting from friction and other causes, the power
delivered from a machine or other device is never equal to the power put into
it

➢ efficiency is the ratio of power output to power input or

➢ mechanical efficiency of a machine is defined as the reaction of the

output of useful power produced by the machine to the input of power supplied
to the machine

➢ therefore, efficiency can be expressed as:

𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕
𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 =
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕
𝝐= or 𝝐 =
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕

➢ since machine consist of a series of parts, frictional forces will always be

developed within the machine, and as a result, extra energy or power is needed
to overcome the forces

➢ consequently, the efficiency of a machine is always less than 1

Chapter 6

Work and Energy

PROBLEMS

Problem 1427: A train weighs 1600 tons. The train resistance is constant at 2 lb per ton. If 6000
hp are available to pull this train up a 2% grade, what will be its speed in miles per hour?

Problem 1429: A train weighing 100 tons is being pulled up a 2% grade. The train resistance is
constant at 10 lb/ton. The speed of the train is increased from 20 fps to 40 fps in a distance of
1000 ft. Find the maximum horsepower developed by the locomotive.
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

Problem: To push a 25 kg crate up a 27º inclined plane, a worker exerts a force of 120 N parallel
to the incline. As the crate slides 3.6 m, how much is the work on the crate is done by the
worker and by the force of gravity?

c.) Work done by the worker: a.) Work done by the worker:
d.) b.)

Problem: A train weighing 12,000 kN is accelerated at a constant rate up a 2% grade with a

velocity increasing from 30 kph to 50 kph in a distance of 500 m. Determine the horsepower
developed by the train.
 Chapter 6

Work and Energy

Work-Energy Applied to Curvilinear Translation:

➢ many bodies are so small compared with their paths of gravel and they may be
treated as a particle

➢ this assumption applies to the curvilinear motion of all bodies discussed in

this chapter

➢ the derivation of work-energy equation for rectilinear translation is also

valid for curvilinear translation provided we assume that the X-axis is
tangent to the path during each distance 𝒅𝒔 measured along the path
𝒔
➢ the resultant work is then also ∫𝒐 𝜮𝑿. 𝒅𝒔 and the kinetic energy is
𝒘
(𝒗𝟐 − 𝒗𝟐𝒐 ) where 𝒗𝒐 and 𝒗 are the final and initial velocities directed
𝟐𝒈
tangent to the path

➢ the work done by gravity is best computed as the weight multiplied by the
change in elevation or height whereas the work done by a spring may be found
Article 14-5 of the text book

Problem 1433: A 10-lb weight is swung in a vertical circle at the end of 6 – ft cord. The maximum
strength of the cord is 40 lb. Determine the minimum velocity at which the cord will break. Can
the weight be swung through a complete circle. What must be the minimum strength of the cord
for the weight to be swung in a complete circle?
Chapter 6

Work and Energy

Problem 1435: A 100-lb weight is attached to a stiff rod of negligible weight yhat is hinged at one
end. The rod is released from rest in a horizontal position and allowed to swing freely in a
vertical arc. Through what angle must it swing to cause a tension in it of 200 lb.