Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

0.1 Single Choice Questions:

1. F1 “ î ` 2ĵ ` 3k̂,
F2 “ 4î ´ 5ĵ ´ 2k̂
r2 “ 7k̂ to
r1 “ 20î ` 15ĵ therefore, ⃗r “ 20î ` 15ĵ ´ 7k̂
So, W “ F⃗net ¨ ⃗r “ pF⃗1 ` F⃗2 q ¨ ⃗r “ 0.48 J

2. Work done by the applied force WF “ 100 ˆ 40 ˆ cosp37˝ q “ 3200 J and the work done by
friction is Wf “ ´2000 J
No option is correct as per the given choices since it is the net work that is 1200 J.
1
3. W “ mgh “ 82 ˆ 10 ˆ 83 ˆ 2 where h “ 83 sinp33˝ q
W
So, P “ t « 480 J

4. The spring force is |f | “ kx

f
so, k “ x
now, when the spring is pulled back and let go, its stored potential energy will be transferred
to the kinetic energy of the mass;

1 2 1
pP Eqspring “ pKEqspring ñ kx “ mv 2
2 2

therefore c
fx
v“
m

Now, at half the extension of the spring, from the work energy theorem, we get
c
1 2 1 ´ x ¯2 1 2 3f x
kx ´ k “ mv ñ v “
2 2 2 2 4m

5.

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

?
6. We have v “ k x, where k is some positive constant.
So, P “ Wt “ F⃗ ¨ ⃗v where
? dx ?
v“k xÑ “k x
dt
k 2 t2
which upon integration gives x “ 4 , which when we plug in the expression for power yields,
ˆ ˙
dv dv
P “ F⃗ ¨ ⃗v “ mv v “ mv 2
dx dx
?
therefore, P “ 12 mk 3 x

7. Using the work-energy theorem, it is simple to see that the amount of work that must be done
pFmin `Fmax x
to stretch the spring by an amount x in terms of Fmin and Fmax is W “ 2

µmg
8. We’re given that xo ą k is the distance to which the spring is compressed. So, when
the spring is released, it will undergo a harmonic motion, meaning that the potential energy
stored in the spring will be converted to its kinetic energy:

1 1
kxo 2 ´ µmgxo “ mv 2
2 2

therefore, at the equilibrium, the velocity of the mass will be

c
k 2
v“ xo ´ µmg
m

9. We are given that initially, the block is balanced by a force to keep it at is relaxed length,
say lo . But when it is pulled by some ∆l when the force is removed, there is some potential
energy stored in it which tries to bring it to the stable equilibrium.
1 2
So, let the energy at the reference be Eq “ 2 klo and that when it is let go be E2 “
1
2 mv
2
` 21 kx2 , which in the later case becomes

1 2 1 1 1
E2 “ kx ` k∆x2 ` kx∆x ´ mg∆x “ mv 2 ` kx2
2 2 2 2

therefore, c
m
x“v
k
So,
1 2
mgxmax “ kpxmax q
2
2mg
which when extended by lo gives xmax “ lo ` k

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

10. Straightforwardly, the potential energy due to gravity for the rod will be mgh.

11. F pxq “ ´ BU
Bx “ 0 to find out about the critical points where stable and unstable equilibrium
should be obtained. So, we get that the particle is at a stable equilibrium at x “ 0. This can
be verified by either sketching the energy diagram or a double derivative test.

12. We have

13. We have
ma “ F ´ mgµo x Ñ a “ F ´ gµo x

So, ż vo ż xo
dv
v “ F ´ gµo x Ñ vdv “ pF ´ gµo xq dx
dx 0 0

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

So, for when the box eventually comes to rest, that is vo “ 0 we get

F xo pxo q2
“ gµo
m 2
1
and we already had that the block comes to rest when xo “ µ therefore, the constant applied
mg
force must’ve been F “ 2

14. We have the same coefficient of friction for both the surfaces.
Now, along path 1, the force of fiction is less since normal force is less compared to surface 2.
Therefore, work done by friction along path 1 is less than that along path 2, therefore, the
mass can obtain more kinetic energy along path 1.
So v1 ą v2 .

15. mgH

16. pWf qupper half “ 0 since there’s no friction present there.

pWf qlower half “ mg cospθq 2l

l
mgl sinpθq “ µmg cospθq ñ µ “ 2 tanpθq
2
since from the work energy theorem

l
pWf riction “ µmg cospθq
2

17. Let the height of the pan at an instant when the boy transfers a mass m of sand be l
So, the work done in compression of the spring is equivalent to mgl.

3
∴ the total work done by the boy “ pP Esand q ` pP U qspring “ mglo
4

18. h1 “ h2 but it seems as if h1 ą h2 , but this is not the case because the falling water causes a
loss of momentum of the cart and therefore, the height achieved by the cart is limited to the
same height it started with.

19.
1
mvo 2 “ mgh ` F ˆ h
2
where h is the height to which the stone rises.

mvo 2
ñu“
2pmg ` hq

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

and since there’s no energy loss, that is the total mechanical energy of the system is conserved,
we get, for the total flight, where the total distance covered is 2h,

1
mpvo 2 ´ v 2 q “ F ˆ p2hq
2
d
mg ´ F
ñ v “ vo
mg ` F
?
20. Using the concept of conservation of total mechanical energy, we get that v ě 5gR.
? ?
21. The similar approach as the previous exercise (exercise 20 ), we see that 2gR ă v ă 5gR.
?
22. When the tension in the string is equal to the weight attached to string, we have v gR.
Now, at some arbitrary angle θ, the height of the mass is h “ lp1 ´ cospθqq, and from the
conservation of total mechanical energy

1
mpv 2 ´ u2 q “ mgh
2

Now during the motion, the tension acts as the centripetal force, so

mv 2
T “ ` mg cospθq ñ v 2 “ glp1 ´ cospθqq
l

∴ glp1 ´ cospθqq “ gl ´ 2glp1 ´ cospθqq

ˆ ˙
2
ñ θ “ cos´1
3
b
gR
which upon substitution in the equation v 2 “ glp1 ´ cospθqq gives v “ 3

23. We have P “ F⃗ ¨ ⃗v “ mgpsinpαq ´ cospθqqµg cospαqt “ µmg 2 cospαqpsinpαq ´ µ cospαqqt

` ˘
24. θ “ cos´1 31
5L 5L
25. Total length of the rope is 4 and therefore, the total mass of the rope is 4 λ
Now, during the motion, the minimum work done is equal to the change in the potential
energy
ˆ ˙ ˆ ˙
L 3L 3L L L L L L L λL
pW qmin “ ˆλˆg´ ˆ ˆ g ´ ˆ ˆ g ´ Lλ ˆ g ´ λ ˆ g ´ ˆLg ñ g
2 4 8 4 4 2 4 8 4 4

26. We’re given an elastic spring, thus there’s no compression possible, only elongation (this is
analogous to how elastic bands work).

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

So, using the conservation of total energy involved in the system, we get

1 1
kxo 2 “ mv 2 ` po q
2 2

1 1
ñ ˆ 16 ˆ p0.25q2 “ ˆ 0.1 ˆ v 2 ´ 0.1 ˆ ‘0 ˆ 0.25
2 2
?
v “ 5 m{s

Now, at the location when the mass comes to rest momentarily, the kinetic energy is zero

1 2 1
∴, kx “ mgh ñ h “ m
2 2

or at the point of pivot, which is at h “ 0 cm

27. Since no direction of the applied force is given to us, we choose that the force is applied at an
arbitrary angle θ from the horizontal.
Analysing the forces in the horizontal and vertical direction
ÿ
Fx “ F cospθq ´ µmg “ ma ñ F cospθq ´ µpmg ´ F sinpθqq “ ma

where
ÿ
Fy “ N “ mg ´ F sinpθq
mg
Also, we are given that F “ 2

ñ F pcospθq ` µ sinpθqq ´ µmg “ ma

For this quantity to be maximum, the value cosθ ` µ sin θ must be maximum, which is at
a
when θ “ 45˝ , that is at 1 ` µ2
ˆ ˙
mg a 2
dv
ñ 1 ` µ ´ µmg “ m v
2 dx
ż ´ a ż
g ¯
∴ 1 ` µ2 ´ µg dx “ vdv
2
at x “ d we get 21 mv 2 that is the maximum kinetic energy is at

mg ´a ¯
pKEqmax “ 1 ` µ2 ´ µ d
2

28. The potential energy in the system is E “ 2mglp1 ´ cos θq, which becomes, under small angle

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

approximations,
1
E “ 2mglp1 ´ cos θq « mglθ2
2

29. Conservation of energy can always be used for analysis of the velocities.

30. Using
´ the
¯2 conservation of total mechanical energy involved in the system, we get that h “
2
m v
m`M 2g

31. The total work done is W “ 21 mv 2 from the work energy theorem.

1
mgl sin θ ´ mglp1 ´ θq “ mv 2
2

mv 2
We have maximum deflection at θ “ 90˝ also, we have T “ l ` mgpsin θ ` cos θq

ñ T “ mgpθ ´ 1 ` cos θq ` mgpsin θ ` cos θq

which is maximum at the maximum value of sin θ and cos θ.

?
So, the maximum tension is T “ mgp3 2 ´ 2q.
?
32. You have aR “ at 2 ` ac 2
a
ñ“ gRpµ cos θ ´ sin θq

33. At the highest point, velocity of the ball is zero and so aN “ 0 and aT “ g sin θ, but at the
v2
lowest point, aN “ L and aT “ 0

1 v2
∴ mglp1 ´ cos θq “ mv 2 ñ “ 2gp1 ´ cos θq
2 l

θ θ θ
ñ g sin θ “ 2gp1 ´ cos θq ñ 2 sin ˆ cos “ 4 sin2
2 2 2
ˆ ˙
1
ñ θ “ tan´1
2

34.
1 1
kxo 2 “ f x0 ñ f “ kxo
2 2
and
xo 1 ´ xo ¯ 1
fp q“ k ´ kxo 2 ` kmax
2 2 2 2
1
ñ kmax “ kxo 2
8

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

b ´ ¯2
u1 m2 u1 m2
35. u2 “ m1 ñ u2 “ m1 for elastic collisions. So,

m1 u1 ` m2 u2 “ m2 v

and the initial kinetic energy is the same

1 1
ñ m1 v1 2 “ m2 u2 2 ñ v “ u1 ´ u2
2 2

Therefore, we must have u2 “ αu1

?
ñ α2 ` 2α ´ 1 “ 0 ñ α “ 2´1

u1
?
and so, u2 “ 2`1
mv
36. mv “ pm ` M qv 1 ñ v 1 “ m`M

d
1 1 m2 v 2
E “ pm ` M qpv 1 q2 “ kx2 ñ x “
2 2 kpm ` M q

37. Using the conservation of total mechanical energy, we have xo « 4 cm.

38. µ “ mg cos θ and f “ µN “ µmg cos θ and

Fext “ µmg cos θ ` mg sin θ

?
R2 ´pR´Hq2 R´H
where sin θ “ R and cos θ “ R

ˆ ˙ ˜a ¸
R´H R2 ´ pR ´ Hq2
∴ Fext “ µmg ` mg
R R

and żθ
Wext “ pµmgθ ` mg sin θqrdθ
q

żH ˆ ˙ ˜a ¸
R´H R2 ´ pR ´ Hq2 a
ñ Wext “ “ pµmg ` mg qdH “ mgpH ` µ 2RH ´ H 2 q
0 R R
b
K
39. W “ m`M . We are given that the upper block does not slip over the lower belt if maximum

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

force on upper block, fmax does not exceed the friction between them.
˜c ¸2
k mkAmax
fmax “ mamax “ mω 2 Amax ñ m Amax “
m`M m`M

µs mg
we need not account for the mass of the belt, and so xmax “ k

40. For equilibrium

ma sin θ “ mg cos θ ñ a “ g cot θ

and from work-energy theorem, we get

1
maRp1 ` cos θq ` mgR sin θ “ mv 2
2

where v is the final velocity

v2
∴ gR cot θ ` gR cot θ ¨ cos θ ` gR sin θ “
2

cos2 θ v2
ñ gR cot θ ` gR ` gR sin θ “
sin θ 2
d ˆ ˙
1 ` cos θ
v “ 2gR
sin θ

0.2 Multiple Select Questions:

3µmg
1. xo “ k and the mass is released from rest, that is its initial velocity is zero.
ˆ ˙
3µmg
kxo ´ µN “ ma ñ k ´ µmg “ ma ñ a “ 2µg
k

let the maximum compression be x1 , so using the work energy theorem, we get

1
Wf “ p´W qspring ñ µmgpx1 ` xo q “ kpxo 2 ´ x1 2 q
2

2µmg
ñ x1 “ xo ´
k

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

µmg
therefore, the maximum compression in the spring is xmax “ k
Now, at maximum spreed, fnet “ 0
˜ˆ ˙2 ¸
2µmg 1 1 3µmg ´ µmg ¯2 2µmg
ñ “ mv 2 ´ k ´ ´ µmg ˆ
k 2 2 k k k

c
m
∴ v “ 2µg
k

2. The answer is straightforward.

3. F “ xî`y ĵ`z k̂
3
⃗ ˆ F⃗ “ 0, that is, the curl
To check whether its conservative or not, see if ∆
px2 `y 2 `z 2 q 2
of vector F.
Evidently, from W “ F⃗ ¨ d⃗s, we get that the work done for a displacement from (0, 0, 0) to
ş

(1, 1, 1) is minimum along the path x “ y “ z and maximum along (0, 0, 0) to (1, 2, 3) from
the path x “ 2y “ 3z.

4. Assuming that the collision is elastic

mv 1 cos β ` mv cos α “ mvo ` 0...p1q

and
0 ` 0 “ mv sin α ` p´mv 1 sin βq...p2q

solving (1) and (2), we get

vo 2 ` v 2 ´ pv 1 q2
ˆ ˙
α “ cos´1
2uvo
and ˆ ˙
´1 v sin θ
β “ tan
vo ´ v cos θ

5. For L1 ą L2 and m1 “ m2 , wherein, the only work done, is by the force of gravity. Tension
does no work on the system. b
l
Now, for a longer length of the string, we have from T “ wπ g, the frequency of oscillation
is small. Thus there is lesser expenditure of energy and so Wq ă W2 .
L1 m1
Also it is quite clear that when L2 “ m2 , we get W1 “ W2 .
? v2 2
6. v “ wgh and h1 “ h2 “ e2 ¨ v2g , where e is the coefficient of restitution. So, for n number
2g ,
?
of bounces, the, height will be en 2gh.

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Physics Work, energy and power exercise solutions

Similarly, upon solving the equation of motions,

1 d
s “ ut ` gt2 and t “
2 v
b ´ ¯ ´ ¯
2h 1`e 1`e2
we get that T “ g 1´e and the total distance before coming to rest as 1´e2 ¨h

7. In case of totally inelastic collision, when the particles stick with each other, there’s no im-
pulse in the direction
b of rebound.
So, after time t “ 2h g , the scale reading is minimum if the collision is totally inelastic be-
tween the particles. ´ b ¯
Similarly, for purely elastic collisions (energy conserved), observed reading is M “ mn t ` 2h
´ b ¯g
and for purely inelastic collisions (particles stick), observed reading is M “ mn t ´ 2h g
and
dm
8. dt “ 4πr2 kρ also m “ 43 πρr3 k which gives
dm
dt “ 34 kπρr2 dr
dt

dr 4 3 dv 4
4ρkπr2 ` πr ρ “ πr3 ρg
dt 3 dt 3
dv 3vk 3atk
ñ ` “g ña` “g
dt r r
dm
Which with the previous condition that dt “ 43 kπρr2 dr
dt gives us that the radius of the drop
increases linearly with time and The kinetic energy at time t is inversely proportional to k.

9. The only component of velocity that is verying is the vertical component. So, the dependence
of kinetic energy, with respect to the changing vertical velocity of the particle is as follows

1
KE “ mpv 2 sin2 θ ` u2 cos2 θq
2

and the change in the potential energy is due to the vertical height that’s varying with time,
that is vt sin θ and its dependence with respect to the changing vertical velocity of the particle
is as follows
P E “ mgpvt sin θq

Also, for zero initial velocity, we have h “ 21 gt2 which gives us P E “ 12 mg 2 t2 .

The corresponding graphs to compliant with the above equations are θ “ 75˝ with graph A
and θ “ 30˝ with graph B.

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