Physics

Work, Energy and Power

Work

When we move a force through a distance we do work and transform energy from one form into another.

Work is said to be done when the point of application of a force moves and is measured by the product of the
force and the distance moved in the direction of the force.

Work = force distance moved in the direction of the force

The SI of work is called joule (J) or Nm

Additional information on work

Energy

Things have energy if they can be used to do work. A compressed spring has energy, so does a tank full of
petrol. Like work energy is measured in joule (J).

Energy is the capacity to do work.

Powe r

The more powerful a car is the quicker it can accelerate or climb a hill, i.e. the more rapidly it does work. The
power of a device is the work it does per second, i.e. the rate at which it does work. This is the same as the rate
at which it transfers energy from one form to another.

Powe r = =

The unit of power is the watt (W) and is a rate of working of 1 joule per second. i.e. 1W = 1J/s

Larger unit are the Kilowatt (kW) and the megawatt (MW)

1 kW = 1000 W and 1 MW = 1000000 W

Principle of conservation of energy

This is one of the basic laws of physics and is stated as follows:

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it is always conserved.

Another diagram depicting the conservation of energy
Forms of Energy
Energy transformations
An energy transformation is the change of energy from one form to another. Whenever work is done, energy is
transformed.

We can study energy changes by setting up experiments in the laboratory, which are working models of large
scales processes. In all these examples no energy is ‘used up’ or destroyed; the total amount of energy is
conserved.
Example 1

A man of mass 65 kg runs up the hill in the diagram shown below. It takes him 15 seconds to reach the top.

Calculate:

a. the work he has done

b, the power output of his leg;

Power =

50 m =

13 m
= 563.3 W

65 kg

(mg)
Work done = force dist

= 65 x 10 x 13 = 8450 J
In the diagram below, identity the energy transformations that are occurring in the hydropower
plant system.
Efficiency
A machine is any device that transfers energy from one form to another. Cars, electric motors and our bodies
are all examples of machines.

Unfortunately, when energy is transferred, not all of it is transferred in a useful way. So what happen to the rest
of the transferred energy? Usually, some energy is ‘wasted’ as internal (heat) energy.

The proportion of energy that is usefully transferred is called the efficiency of the machine.

Efficiency = =

Efficiency is a ratio. It has no units. Efficiency can also be expressed as a percentage, by multiplying by 100%

Example 2

1. A pump lifts 200 Kg of water per minute through a vertical height of 15 m. Calculate the output power.
Calculate the input power rating of the pump if it is: (a) 100 % efficient (b) 65% efficient

Activity

2. A water wheel is powered by 3600 kg of water falling through a height of 5.0 m each minute.

If the power output is 1200 W, what is the efficiency of the wheel? (Take g = 10 m/s2 )

3. A tennis ball is dropped from a height of 2.0 m. Ignoring air resistance, at what speed does it hits the ground

2m
Example 2

1. A pump lifts 200 Kg of water per minute through a vertical height of 15 m. Calculate the output power.
Calculate the input power rating of the pump if it is: (a) 100 % efficient (b) 65% efficient

Efficient =

Power input = = 769.23 W

Sources of Energy
 Extraction of energy from alternative sources
Solar energy:
Biomass
Biomass may be be viewed as ‘indirect solar energy’. It is energy which can be obtained from plant or animal
matter and which came initially from the Sun.

Biogas
Biogas is produced by bacteria breaking down plant animal wastes. This is most conveniently done in a
biodigester.

Methene is the major constituent of biogas. Biogas may be used for cooking, heating and small – scale
electrication. The sludge which remains from the decomposition may be used as fertilizers and in acquaculture.
Wind Power
The wind has been harnessed by people for over 2000 years. Wins power has been used for centuries for such
tasks as pumping water and grinding grain.

Today, wind is used to drive windmills which, in turn, run generators to produce electricity. Since winds are
seasonal and very in speed, energy obtained from wind – driven machines may be stored in batteries for later
use.

It is believed that some countries could generate up to 30 % of their electricity from wind power. Recent
designs of turbines have turned the wind into a reliable, clean source of electricity.
Hydroelectricity (water power)
In a hydroelectric power plant, water falls on a turbine which turns the shaft of a generator and electricity is
produced. In some locations a dam is built on a river that has big drop. Water is stored behind the dam and then
allowed to fall by gravity onto the blades of the turbine.
Activity sheet # 1
Activity sheet # 2