Physics Notes

Unit 2: Work & Power

Work is the measure of energy transfer that occurs when an object is moved over a distance
by an external force.

For work to be done

• Force is required (force must be applied in same direction as motion)

• The force must make something move (no motion= no work)

Work= Force x Distance

Work= Nm

Since; Nm= J

Work= J

*Always convert distance unit into meters

Work at an Angle

Put into calculator through formula: W= N x m x cos Angle (no degree)

For example; N= 10, m= 3, cos= 25

W= 10 x 3 x cos 25

W= 27.19 j

Important:

cos 0= 1: W= FS x cos 0= W=FS

cos 90= 0: W= FS x cos 90= W= 0

cos 180= -1: W= FS x cos 90= W= -FS

Remember: F= ma – kgms-2

Remember: 1 kilojoule= 1000 joule

Power: Amount of work done per unit of time- how quickly work is done.

Faster the work is completed- the more the power is required.

Power= Work/Time

SI Unit- Watt = Joules/Second

1 kilowatt = 1000 Watts

Energy: The ability to do work. It causes change.

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be stored or transferred.

Potential & Kinetic Energy

Potential: energy stored due to position or Kinetic: energy of a moving object or

shape energy in use.
The energy has potential to do something When potential energy is used to move
useful later on. something or make something happen.
Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) Electromagnetic
Elastic Potential Energy
PE Formula: PE= mgh (Wherein; mass in kg x gravitational acceleration in 9.8ms-2 x height in
m)

Gravitational Potential Energy: Depends upon an objects height above a reference point. It
is caused by the force of gravity; pulling down an object while it is being held up.

• Greater Mass= More PE

• Higher the Height= More PE

Elastic Potential Energy: The potential energy of an object that is stretched or compressed.
It is caused by changing the shape of an object.

Examples: Stretching a rubber band, Drawing a bow, Compressed Spring.

All these examples have PE because work has been done to change their shape, the energy
of this work has turned into PE.

KE Formula: KE=½mv2 (Wherein; mass in kg x velocity ms-1 then divided by 2)

1 Joule: 1kg x ms-2

Potential to Kinetic Energy

When stored energy begins to move, the object now transfers from PE into KE.

Example: Roller coasters work because of the energy that is built into their system. Initially,
the car is pulled mechanically up the tallest hill, giving it a lot of potential energy, after which
conversion between PE and KE powers the cars through out the ride.

• Waterfall: PE at top which turns into KE when water flows down.

• Juggling: While moving ball has KE, as it rises, it slows down- PE increases and KE de
creases. At the highest point, it stops moving for a moment; No KE- it falls- KE
increases and PE decreases.
• Pendulum:
Kinetic Energy Depends on:

• Velocity/Speed: The faster the object moves, the more the kinetic energy.
• Mass: The greater the mass, the more the kinetic energy.

IMPORTANT: Velocity effects kinetic energy more than mass, since velocity is squared.

➢ Most kinetic energy, when its movement is the greatest.

➢ Most kinetic energy, when its potential energy is the least.

Energy Forms & Changes

If an object or organism does work- exerts a force over a distance to move an object- the
object or organism uses energy.

• Objects use energy to perform work.

• Objects gain energy because work is being done on them.

Main forms of Energy

Heat Energy:

The internal motion of atoms is called heat, since moving particles product heat.

IMPORTANT: Heat energy can be caused by friction.

Heat energy causes changes in temperature and phase of any form of matter.

Chemical Energy:

Chemical energy is required to bond atoms together. When these bonds are broken, energy
is released.

Electromagnetic Energy:

A form of energy that is reflected or emitted from objects in the form of electrical and
magnetic waves that can travel through space.

Light and Colors are forms of electromagnetic energy.

Example: This energy is carried by radio waves, x-rays, laser light, etc.

Nuclear Energy

The nucleus of an atom is the source of nuclear energy. Most concentrated form of energy.

• When the nucleus splits (fission), nuclear energy is released in form of heat and light
energy.
• When nuclei collide and high speeds and join (fusion), nuclear energy is released.
IMPORTANT: Sun’s energy is produced from nuclear fusion- hydrogen nuclei fuse to form
helium nuclei.

Mechanical Energy

When work is done to an object, the energy it acquires is mechanical energy.

Example: When you kick a football, you transfer mechanical energy to make it move.

Energy Conversion/Transformation

Energy being changed from one form to another.

Examples:

• Battery: Chemical -> Electromagnetic

• Automobile Engine: Chemical -> Heat -> Mechanical

Some energy changes involve single transformations, while others involve many
transformations.

Single Transformations

One form of energy transforms to another to get work done:

• Toaster: Electric ->Thermal

• Cell Phone: Electric -> Electromagnetic Energy
• Body Transforms Food: Chemical -> Mechanical (to move)
• Body Transforms Food: Chemical -> Thermal (to maintain body temperature)

Multiple Transformations

A series of energy transformations is needed to work

• Match: Mechanical need to strike match -> Thermal which causes particles to release
Chemical -> Thermal and Electromagnetic which is seen as light.
• Car Engine: Electric produces a spark -> Thermal which releases Chemical in the fuel
-> Chemical turns into Thermal -> Mechanical which moves car and Electric which
produces more sparks.

*More examples: Unit 2 (Day 4) PPT - Physics Folder: Unit 2

Law of Conservation of Energy

Example: If a spinning top is set in motion it will stop spinning after a while because it will
encounter friction with the floor and air resistance. KE= Thermal due to friction; top slows
and eventually it falls on its side.

IMPORTANT: No machine is 100% efficient because some of the mechanical energy

transforms into thermal energy due to friction. Hence; output work of a machine is always less
than the input work.
Kinetic to Potential

Energy & Matter

Energy can sometimes be created when matter is destroyed

Matter destroyed: Energy created - Energy destroyed: Mass created

Matter Anything that has mass or takes up space.

Matter can be transformed into energy- destroying small amount of matter can release a lot
of energy.

Implications of Renewable Sources of Energy

Advantages Disadvantages
Solar Energy: derived by capturing radiant energy from sunlight and converting it into heat,
electricity or hot water. PV (photovoltaic) systems can convert this direct sunlight into
electricity using solar cells.
O renewable source (doesn’t run out) O initial cost is expensive
O generating energy is pollution-free- green O in 20-40 years, panels need to be
and environmentally friendly discarded and replaced, hence producing
O requires low maintenance- financially waste
beneficial O take up great amount of space
O reduces electricity bills- other than initial O initial production and installation produces
installation there is no requirement to invest pollution- manufacturing parts of panels,
resources in producing electricity constructing panels, transporting and
O durable- energy can be stored in batteries installing emit greenhouse gases
for later use depending on weather conditions
O government incentives- governments
promote solar energy and provide bonuses
Hydro Power: Conversion of energy from flowing water into electricity. considered
renewable since water cycle us constantly renewed by sun. energy produced using turbines
and generators, the turbine creates mechanical energy when moving water flows through,
this turbine is connected to a generator.
O renewable source (doesn’t run out) O initial installation cost is expensive
O generating energy is pollution-free- no O can cause floods- changes flow of water
release of greenhouse gases O can cause droughts- changes flow of water
O requires low maintenance O takes up space
O employment opportunities O initial production and installation produce
O structural development of remote regions O pollution-constructing dams, transporting
O energy produced in sufficient amounts and installing emit greenhouse gases
O altering and destructing natural and marine
habitats
O relocation of people
O depending on geographical location
Wind Energy: Kinetic energy of air in motion, called wind. Use of wind to provide mechanical
power through wind turbines to turn electric generators.
O renewable source (doesn’t run out) O initial cost is expensive
O generating energy is pollution-free- no O noisy and loud- impacts social satisfaction
release of greenhouse gases O may disrupt an area visually
O requires low maintenance O threat to ecosystem- kills birds
O employment opportunities O initial installation causes pollution
O reliant on geographical location
O requires open space
O depending on geographical location and
weather conditions
Biomass: Organic material that is used for production of energy. primarily found in living or
recently living plants and biological waste. physical composition is inconsistent but generally
includes carbon, water and organic volatiles.
O renewable source (doesn’t run out) O economically inefficient- installation of
O reduces and utilizes waste product biomass plants are expensive
effectively O requires large amount of space
O plant based fuels reduce carbon dioxide- O energy produced cannot be stored- must
minimized production of pollution be used immediately
O availability of biomass fuels is universal O burning biomass produces greenhouse
gases
O may result in deforestation
Geothermal: energy produced from within the earth’s surface. This energy is taken from the
earth’s core; originating from heat produced during formation of the planet. thermal energy is
stored in rocks and fluids in the center of the earth.
O renewable source (doesn’t run out) O extraction of geothermal energy from
O low maintenance cost for geothermal ground leads to release of greenhouse gases
systems O locations may cool down after a while,
O unlike many other renewable sources, isn’t making it impossible to harvest more in the
reliant of weather conditions future
O usable for large- and small-scale O high installation cost
installations- versatile, accessible and flexible. O great amount of land is required to install
O local jobs the system
 O stable power source O depends on geographic location
O abundant in supply O energy cannot be transported
Wave Energy: hydroelectricity is a form of energy that harnesses the kinetic energy of
moving water, in order to generate electricity which can be utilized for a variety of purposes
and reasons. dams and reservoirs are built, which store flowing water. the movement of this
water causes turbines, which are attached to the damns, to spin. the mechanical energy
caused by the spinning of the turbines generates electricity.
O renewable source (doesn’t run out) O disrupt marine ecosystems- loss of
O zero emissions while generating energy biodiversity
O versatile- low speeds of water are sufficient O high installation cost
to produce sufficient energy O location dependent- coastal areas
O less or no requirement of land to product O strong waves can destroy system
energy O changes in tidal flow
O difficult and expensive maintenance
Tidal Energy:
O high power output O disrupt marine ecosystems- loss of
O zero emissions while generating energy biodiversity
O low maintenance O high installation cost
O tides are predictable O location dependent- coastal areas
O zero production of waste O strong waves can destroy system
O changes in tidal flow
Implications of Non-renewable Sources of Energy

Advantages Disadvantages
Coal, Oil and Gas
generate large amount of energy at a single Emit CO2 and other greenhouse gases-
location primary source of pollution
accessible- can be found easily Causes global warming
cost effective Unpredictable negative environmental
transportation of oil and gas is easy- pipelines changes
finite, but currently plenty is available Harvesting can cause diseases: coal miners-
black lung disease
non-renewable, will run out eventually