Work Done & Energies

Work W done occurs when a

constant force F moves an F
object a displacement x
This is given by,
W=|F||x|cosq q

x
Where F & x are vectors but W is a
This is the component
scalar quantity of F resolved in the x
direction
From equation (1), If F and x are
perpendicular (i.e. q = 90o) Units; joules (J)
no work is done 1J = 1N x 1m
Energy is therefore defined as the capacity of a body to do work
It has units of joules (J)

Energy in general is a scalar quantity h

Fundamentally
Work done by your arm on the object = change in
energy of the mass = mgh (both +ve quantities)

Work done on your arm by the object = change in

energy of your arm = -mgh (both -ve quantities)
 Kinetic & potential energy

The kinetic energy (K E) of an object depends only on

the speed (not velocity) of the object

The potential energy (P E) of an object depends only

on its position
 Potential energy
Examples

- gravitational P E = mgh (for moderate h)

- a stretched spring (Hookes law). This is
referred to as Strain Energy
 Hookes law; Example
stress Fa
Hooke`s law, E .....(1)
strain Ax
Consider a mass m on a
spring under gravity
x
Tension F l mg ...(2)
a
a

This is an easy & direct way to

x measure l (ELASTIC MODULUS)
Thus, from Equations (1) and (2)
mg
l ?????
 Strain Energy by stretching a wire
Attach a mass m at time t = 0
As the wire extends, the tension increases linearly with x until
x = mga/l
At this point the tension in the wire balances the force of
gravity on the mass

a a Tension l
x
mg
a
X=0
x=mga/l
mg Attach mass m to At some time t later,
the mass comes to
the wire at time mg rest (tension
t=0, x=0 increases until it
equals mg)
 Strain energy of a spring

Plot a graph of tension versus extension

Force Unlike raising a mass against

(Tension) gravity the work done is not mgx,
mg because the force itself increases
with x (unlike gravity which is
constant for moderate
displacements)
0 mga/l
Extension, x

We need to add up (integrate) the contributions to the

total work as x increases
 Work done in stretching the wire from zero extension to
an extension of x is given by the area under the force-
extension curve
= (mg)2a/l for a mass on a spring

= (Fx) = (l/a)x2 for any F

 Kinetic energy of Linear motion
Proof that K E = m v2
Use the equations of motion for uniform acceleration of
magnitude a(=v/t) to derive the work done in accelerating
a body of mass m from zero speed up to speed v

At t=0, u=0
At time t, the body has moved a distance s and has a speed
v; v2=u2 + 2as = 2as (3rd Equation of linear motion)
The work done to move the body a distance s using a
constant force F (= ma) is F s
Therefore the work done=(ma)(v 2/2a) = mv2
This is for linear motion. For angular motion: v= wR
Work done= m (wR)2 = (m R2) w2 (I) w2
Where (I) is THE MOMENT OF INERTIA (UNIT= ??)
 Kinetic Energy of Rotating
objects
F S
Energy = Force x distance = F S
But S = R q and F = m a
But a= aR q R
Hence Energy = (mR2) (a q)
Now I = Moment of Inertia And (a q) (w2/2)

Kinetic Energy= I w2
 Conservation of energy
Energy may be transferred from one form to
another, but it cant be created or destroyed, i.e.
the total energy of an isolated system is constant

The total mechanical energy of a system (KE +

PE) is constant as long as no external work is
done on or by the system, & no mechanical
energy changes to another form; eg heat, sound
etc (these are just other forms of PE & KE
anyway)
Examples:
1) In a drop forging operation, the top die and its holder,
with a combined mass of 20 kg, fall freely for 3 m before
contacting the metal in the bottom die. Calculate:
i) the velocity of the top die at the moment of contact.
ii) The force exerted on the metal, assuming it is constant. If
the top die travels a further 15 mm before coming to rest?
(Answers 7.67 m/s and 39.4 kN)

2) A wagon of 12 Tonnes travelling at 16 km/h strikes a pair

of parallel spring-loaded stops. If the stiffness of each spring
is 600 kN/m, calculate the maximum compression in
bringing the wagon to rest?

(Answers 444 mm)

3) A spring having an original length of 0.5 m is
stretched to 0.65m by a force of 50 N.
Find the following:

i) The elastic modulus of the spring

ii) The stored elastic potential energy in the spring.

Answers
i) 166.67 (units=?)
ii) 3.75 (units=?)
4)
The 40 kg hammer is lifted into position 1 and released from rest. Its
weight and springs (k= 1500 N/m) accelerate the hammer downward to
position 2, where it strikes a work piece. The tension in each spring is
150 N when the hammer in position 2. Use conservation of energy to
determine the hammers velocity when it reaches position 2?
300
mm
1

F F
400
mm
mg

2 Free body diagram

Answer:
Let r0 is the unstretched length of the spring.

In position 2, the tension is 150 N and its length 0.3 m.

From the relation of force, extension and stiffness:

Hence, 150= k(0.3- r0) r0 =0.2 m

Therefore, stretch in position 2, X2 = 0.3-0.2=0.1 m

Stretch of spring in position 1, X1 = 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.3 m

2 2

Total Work done on hammer by the springs=

1
2( k ( X 22 X 12 ) 1500 [0.32 0.12 ] 120 N . m
2
Work done by weight from position 1 to 2=mgh=(40)(9.81)0.4= 157 Nm
From Conservation of Energy:
120+ 157 = 0.5 m (v2 u2 ) v= 3.72 m/s
Q5

Figure Q5 shows a 200 kg collar which can move along

a shaft. It is lifted to position 1 and released from rest
using a spring having a stiffness, k= 2000 N/m. The
spring accelerates the collar downward to position 2.
The tension in the spring is set to200 N when the
collar in position 2. Use the conservation of energy to
determine the collars velocity when it reaches
position 2?

Answer
v= 2.06 m/s
Figure Q5