WORK-ENERGY THEOREM 21 APRIL 2015

Section A: Summary Notes

Work
Work is done on an object when the object moves in the same plane as the force. If a force is applied
o
to an object at 90 to the motion of the object then that force does no work on the object. When a
force is applied at an angle (θ) to an object then then work is done by the component of the force that
causes the object to move. This is given by the following equation:

W = work done (J)

F = force applied (N)
𝑊 = 𝐹∆𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
Δx = displacement (m)
θ = angle of force to the horizontal

Work is a scalar quantity therefore it has magnitude but not direction. Work can be a negative value
when the energy of the system decreases and positive when the energy of the system increases.
Net work on an object can be calculated by applying the definition of work to each force acting on the
object while it is being displaced and then adding up each contribution.

Example 1
Calculate the net work done on a box of 50 kg which is being
0
pulled by a 100 N at an angle of 25 to the horizontal for 20 m
while experiencing a frictional force of 10 N.
Solution

F = 100 N 𝑊𝐹 = 𝐹∆𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
o
θ = 25 = 100 20 (cos 25°)
𝑓 = 10 N = 1812,62 𝐽
Δx = 20 m o
𝑊𝑓 = 𝑓∆𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 Friction always acts at 180 to the direction of motion
= 10 20 (cos 180°)
= −200 𝐽

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑊𝐹 + 𝑊𝑓
= 1812,62 + −200
= 1612,62 𝐽

The net work done on an object can also be calculated by first calculating the net force acting on the
object and then applying the equation.
The work – energy theorem states that the net work done on an object by the net force is equal to
the change in kinetic energy of the object.
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐸𝑘𝑓 − 𝐸𝑘𝑖

If there are non-conservative forces, e.g. friction or air resistance present then the system is not
closed and the mechanical energy of the system will change. Mechanical energy is the sum of the
potential energy and kinetic energy of the object. Although mechanical energy is not conserved the
total energy of the system is still conserved.
 W nc = work done by non-conservative force (J)
𝑊𝑛𝑐 = ∆𝐸𝑘 + ∆𝐸𝑝 ΔEk = change in kinetic energy (J)
ΔEp = change in potential energy (J)

Ek = kinetic energy (J)

Remember: m = mass (kg)

-1
1 v = velocity (m.s )
𝐸𝑘 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2 Ep = potential energy (J)
𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚𝑔𝑕 -2
g = acceleration due to gravity (9,8 m.s )
h = height (m)

Example 2
(Taken from DoE Paper 1 Nov. 2008)
The diagram below represents how water is funnelled into a pipe and directed to aturbine at a hydro-
3
electric power plant. The force of the falling water rotates theturbine. Each second, 200 m of water is
funnelled down a vertical shaft to the turbine below. The vertical height through which the water falls
upon reaching the turbine is 150 m.
Ignore the effects of friction.
3
NOTE: One m of water has a mass of 1 000 kg.

1. Calculate the mass of water that enters the turbine each second.
Solution:
m = (200)(1000)
5
= 2 x 10 kg
2. Calculate the kinetic energy of this mass of water when entering the turbine.
Use the work- energy theorem.
Solution

F = mg Applied force is equal to the weight of the water.

5
= (2 x 10 )(9,8)
6
= 1,96 x 10 N
 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∆𝐸𝑘 Eki = 0J as the water is considered to be stationary before
being pumped up the hill
𝐹∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 = 𝐸𝑘𝑓 − 𝐸𝑘𝑖
(1,96 × 106 )(150)(cos 0°) = 𝐸𝑘𝑓 − 0
∴ 𝐸𝑘𝑓 = 2,94 × 108 𝐽

3. Calculate the maximum speed at which this mass of water enters the turbine.
Solution
1
𝐸𝑘𝑓 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓2
2
1
2,94 × 108 = 2 × 105 𝑣𝑓2
2
𝑣𝑓2 = 2,94 × 103
∴ 𝑣𝑓 = 54,22 𝑚. 𝑠 −1

Energy
Law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroy but can be
transferred from one form to another.
Mechanical energy is the sum of the kinetic energy and potential energy of an object.

Emech = mechanical energy (J)

Emech = Ep + Ek Ep = potential energy (J)
Ek = kinetic energy (J)

In an isolated system (no friction or air resistance) mechanical energy is always conserved.

Emech initial = Emech final

(Ep + Ek)initial = (Ep + Ek)final

Power
Power is the rate at which work is done.

P = power (W)
𝑊
𝑃= W = work (J)
∆𝑡
Δt = time (s)

When an object is moving at a constant speed then the force being applied to the object is constant.
The average power can then be calculated using the following equation:

Pav = average power (W)

𝑃𝑎𝑣 = 𝐹𝑣𝑎𝑣 F = applied force (N)
-1
vav = speed (m.s )

Example 3
Consider the water being pumped up the hill as described in example 2.
1. Assume that a generator converts 85% of the maximum kinetic energy gained by the water
into hydro-electricity. Calculate the electrical power output of the generator
Solution

𝑊 85 W = Ekf = 2,94 x 10 J
8
𝑃= ×
∆𝑡 100
2,94 × 108
= × 0,85
1
= 2,50 × 108 𝑊

2. Explain what happens to the 15% of the kinetic energy that is NOT convertedinto electrical
energy.
Solution
The kinetic energy is converted into sound or heat in the turbine.

Section B: Practice Questions

Question 1
(Taken from NCS November Paper I 2010)
A steel ball of mass 0,5 kg is suspended from a string of negligible mass. It is released from rest at
point A, as shown in the sketch below. As it passes through point B, which is 0,6 m above the
-1
ground, the magnitude of its velocity is 3 m.s . (Ignore the effects of friction)

1.1. Write the principle of the conservation of mechanical energy in words. (2)
1.2. Calculate the mechanical energy of the steel ball at point B. (4)
As the steel ball swings through its lowest position at point C, it collides with a stationary crate of
-1
mass 0,1 kg. Immediately after the collision, the crate moves at a velocity of 3,5 m.s to the right.
1.3. Calculate the velocity of the steel ball immediately after the collision. (7)
[13]

Question 2
(Taken from Feb – March 2010)
A box of mass 60 kg starts from rest at a height h and slides down a rough slope of length 10 m,
o
which makes an angle of 25 with the horizontal. It undergoes a constant acceleration of magnitude 2
-2
m.s while sliding down the slope.
2.1. State the work-energy theorem in words. (2)
2.2. Draw a free-body diagram to show ALL the forces acting on the cardboard box while it slides
down the slope. (3)
2.3. The reaches the bottom of the slope
Calculate the following:
2.3.1. The kinetic energy of the box, using the equations of motion. (5)
2.3.2. The work done on the box by the gravitational force (4)
2.3.3. The work down on the box by the frictional force, using the work-energy theorem.
(4)
2.3.4. The magnitude of the frictional force acting on the box. (3)
[21]

Question 3
(Taken from Gauteng Preparatory Exam Paper 1 2014)
A cyclist pushes his bicycle of mass 6,1 kg up an incline with a force of 20 N. The bicycle is pushed
-1 o
from an initial velocity of 5 m.s from point A to point B. The road is inclined at 10 to the horizontal
and the distance from A to B is 32 m as show below.

The road surface exerts a force of friction of 11 N on the bicycle tyres.

3.1. Calculate the work done by the cyclist on the bicycle. (3)
3.2. Use the work-energy theorem and calculate the magnitude of the velocity of the bicycle at 32
m. (5)
3.3. Explain why friction forces are regarded as non-conservative forces. (2)
[10]
Section C: Solutions
Question 1
1.1. The total mechanical energy is conserved in an isolated system.  (2)

1.2. 𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑐 𝑕 = 𝐸𝑝 + 𝐸𝐾 
1
= 𝑚𝑔𝑕 + 𝑚𝑣 2
2
1
= 0,5 9,8 0,6  + (0,5)(3)2 
2
= 5,19 𝐽
(4)
st
1.3. 1 – Calculate the steel ball’s 𝐸𝑃 + 𝐸𝐾 𝑡𝑜𝑝 = 𝐸𝑃 + 𝐸𝐾 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚
speed before it hits the crate
1
5,19 = 0 + 𝑚𝑣 2
2
1
5,19 = 0 + 0,5 𝑣 2 
2
∴ 𝑣 2 = 20,76
∴ 𝑣 = 4,56 𝑚. 𝑠 −1
nd
2 – Now apply law of Σ𝑝𝑖 = Σ𝑝𝑖 
conservation of momentum
𝑚1 𝑣𝑖1 + 𝑚2 𝑣𝑖2 = 𝑚1 𝑣𝑓1 + 𝑚2 𝑣𝑓2
principle
0,5 4,56 + 0 = 0,5 𝑣𝑓1 + (0,1)(3,5)
∴ 𝑣𝑓1 = 3,86 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡
(7)

Question 2
2.1. The net work done on an object is equal to the change in the object’s kinetic
energy (2)

2.2.

(3)

2.3.1. 𝑣𝑓2 = 𝑣𝑖2 + 2𝑎∆𝑥  1

𝐸𝐾 = 𝑚𝑣𝑓2 
2 2
= 0 + 2 2 10 
1
= 40 = 60 40 
2
∴ 𝑣𝑓 = 6,32 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 = 1 200 𝐽  (5)
2.3.2. 𝑊𝑔 = 𝐹𝑔∥ ∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 
= 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝜃 ∆𝑥 cos 𝜃
= 60 9,8 sin 25° 10 cos 0° 
= 2 485 𝐽  (4)

2.3.3. 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∆𝐸𝐾 

𝑊𝑔 + 𝑊𝑓 = 𝐸𝐾𝑓 − 𝐸𝐾𝑖 
2 485 + 𝑊𝑓 = 1 200 − 0 
∴ 𝑊𝑓 = −1 285 𝐽  (4)

2.3.4. 𝑊𝑓 = 𝐹𝑓 ∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 
−1 285 = 𝐹𝑓 10 cos 180° 
∴ 𝐹𝑓 = 128,5 𝑁  (3)

Question 3
3.1. 𝑊 = 𝐹∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 
= 20 32 cos 0° 
= 640 𝐽  (3)

3.2. Option 1
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹 − 𝐹𝑔 sin 𝜃 − 𝑓
= 20 − 6,1 9,8 sin 10° − 11 Note:
2
= −1,38 𝑁 If ‘net’ left out of Fnet: max
5
= 1,38 𝑁 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∆𝐸𝐾 
1
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 ∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 = 𝑚 𝑣𝑓2 − 𝑣𝑖2
2
1
1,38 32 cos 180°  = 6,1 𝑣𝑓2 − 52 
2
∴ 𝑣𝑓2 = 10,51
∴ 𝑣𝑓 = 3,24 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 

Option 2
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∆𝐸𝑘
1
𝐹∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 + 𝑓∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 + 𝐹𝑔 ∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 = 𝑚 𝑣𝑓2 − 𝑣𝑖2 
2
1
20 32 cos 0° + 11 32 cos 180°  + 6,1 9,8 32 cos 10°  = 6,1 𝑣𝑓2 − 52 
2
∴ 𝑣𝑓2 = 10,51
∴ 𝑣𝑓 = 3,24 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 
 Option 3
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∆𝐸𝑘
1
𝐹∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 + 𝑓∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 + 𝐹𝑔 ∆𝑥 cos 𝜃 = 𝑚 𝑣𝑓2 − 𝑣𝑖2 
2
20 32 cos 0° + 11 32 cos 180°  + 6,1 9,8 sin 10° 32 cos 180° 
1
= 6,1 𝑣𝑓2 − 52 
2
∴ 𝑣𝑓2 = 10,51
∴ 𝑣𝑓 = 3,24 𝑚. 𝑠 −1  (5)

3.3. The net work done by the non-conservative force / frictional force depends on the path the
object travelled 
OR
The mechanical energy is not constant  for a non-conservative force (2)