07 - Work, Energy, Power

Mandatory exercise
Set - I (Work)
1. A force of 15 N, acting on a body causes a displacement of 2 m along the horizontal. The work done by
the force is 15 J. Is the force acting along the horizontal? If not, what is the angle with the horizontal at
which it is acting? Justify your answer.
Ans
F
Given
F = 15N, s = 2m
W = 15J
We know, θ = 60°
W = F s cos θ s

15 = 15 × 2 × cos θ
1
 cos θ = ... (1)
2
1
But, cos 60° = ... (2)
2
cos 60° = cos θ
θ = 60° [w.r.t. horizontal]
2. Explain the work done by a person in the following instances.
(i) When he is standing at a place holding a suitcase in his hand.
(ii) When he is climbing the stairs holding the suitcase in his hand.
Ans
(i) Displacement is zero. Hence the work done is zero.
(ii) Positive work
3. In which of the following cases is the work done by the gravitational force positive, zero or negative?
(i) A monkey is climbing up a tree.
(ii) A monkey is standing at the foot of a tree.
(iii) A monkey is climbing down a tree.
Ans
(i) – ve (ii) zero (iii) + ve
4. (i) Calculate the work done by a force of 10 N acting on a body, if the body is displaced through 2 m in
the direction of the force.
(ii) If the force makes an angle 45° with the direction of displacement, what will be the work done?
Ans
(i) F = 10N, s = 2 m in the direction of force
W=F×s
= 10 × 2 = 20 J
(ii) If ‘F’ makes an angle 45° with ‘s’, then
W = Fs cos θ
= 10 × 2 × cos 45°

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1
= 10 × 2 ×
2
W = 14.14 J
5. A boy is whirling a stone tied to the end of a thread. Find the work done by the boy on the stone.
Ans
The tension in the thread is perpendicular to the velocity of the stone. Hence the work done is zero.
6. Does work have direction? Why?
Ans
W = Fs = scalar quantity. Hence work done does not have any direction.
7. A crane lifts a box of mass 400 kg through a vertical height of 40 m. If the acceleration due to gravity is
10 m s–2, calculate the work done.
Ans
Mass = 400 kg, s = 40 m, g = 10 m s−2
F=m×a=m×g
= 400 × 10
F = 4000 N
Work done = F × s
= 4000 × 40
= 160000 J
= 1.6 × 105 J
8. Is work done when a car moves on a horizontal road with uniform velocity? If yes, then, against which
force? If no, why does it consume petrol?
Ans
Yes. Work done is against friction.

Set - II (Energy)
9. Why are the units of energy and work same?
Ans
Work is done at the expense of energy
10. An arrow is shot from a bow. From where does the energy come to the arrow?
Ans
Elastic potential energy of the bow.
11. If the velocity of an object is doubled, what is the change in its kinetic energy?
Ans
v2 = 2v1
Then (kinetic energy)2 = 4(kinetic energy)1
∴ Change is 3(kinetic energy)1
12. A motor pump expends 20 kJ of energy and in doing so raises 200 kg of water to the top of the building.
Calculate the height of the building. (g = 10 m s–2)
Ans
Energy spent = 20 kJ (potential energy)
Mass of water = 200 kg

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g = 10 m s−2
h=?
Energy spent by the motor is stored as an equivalent potential energy.
Energy = mgh
20 × 103 = 200 × 10 × h
2h = 20
20
h=
2
h = 10 m
13. Total energy of a body at rest at a height h from zero level is 80 J. What is its kinetic energy as it falls
h
through a height ?
2
Ans
At height h, potential energy = mgh = 80 J
h  h  mgh
At height , the potential energy of a body is mg   =
2 2 2
80
= = 40 J
2
Kinetic energy = Total energy − potential energy
= 80 – 40
= 40 J
th
14. 20 kg bag is lifted to 10 floor that is 20 m high. What is the work done in lifting the bag? What is its
speed and kinetic energy at the ground level if the bag is dropped from there? (g = 10 m s–2)
Ans
m = 20 kg
s = 20 m
g = 10 m s–2
Work done = F s
=mgs
= 20 × 10 × 20
= 4000 J
Work done is stored in the form of potential energy.
∴ Potential energy = 4000 J
After dropping the bag at ground level,
Potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.
∴ Kinetic energy = 4000 J
1
K.E = mv 2
2
1
4000 = ( 20 ) v 2
2
(8000) = 20 v2
8000
v2 = = 400
20

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v = 400 ms −1 = 20 m s–1
15. What change should be effected in the velocity of a body to maintain same kinetic energy if its mass is
increased to four times the initial value?
Ans
1 1
m1v12 = (4m1 )v 22 , velocity should be halved.
2 2
16. Two bodies P and Q of mass 36 kg and 16 kg have the same kinetic energy. Calculate the ratio of
velocities of P and Q.
Ans
m1 = 36 kg
m2 = 16 kg
K1 = K 2 = K
TP = TQ = T
1
TP m P v P2
= 2
TQ 1
m Q vQ2
2
1 2
TP 2 36v1
=
TQ 1
16v 22
2
TP 36 v12
=
TQ 16 v 22
T 9 v12
=
T 4 v 22
v12 4
=
v 22 9
v1 4
=
v2 9
v1 2
=
v2 3
v1
= 0.66
v2
17. A still target is hit by a bullet of mass 100 g moving with a velocity of 500 m s–1. If the bullet is brought
to rest by this target over a distance of 20 cm, find
(a) the initial kinetic energy of the bullet.
(b) the value of the retarding force exerted by the target on the bullet.
Ans
m = 100 g = 100 × 10–3 kg, v = 500 m s−1
1
(a) Initial kinetic energy of the bullet, kinetic energy = mv 2
2
1
∴ Kinetic energy= × 100 × 10–3 × 5002
2

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Kinetic energy = 12500 J = 12.5 kJ

(b) Average value of retarding force exerted by the target on the bullet.
F=m×a
u=0
a=?
s = 20 cm = 20 × 10–2 m
v2 = u2 + 2as
v2 = 2 as
2
v2 ( 500 )
a= =
2s 2 × 20 × 10 −2
250000
a= = 625000 m s–2
40 × 10 −2
F = 100 × 10–3 × 625000
F = 62500 N
18. A stone of mass 200 g is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of 60 m s–1. What is the potential
energy and kinetic energy after 5 seconds? [Take g = 10 m s–2]
Ans
m = 200 g = 200 × 10−3 kg
velocity = 60 m s−2
t=5s
g = 10 m s−2
(i) In 5 seconds, distance covered is
1
s = ut + at 2 [a = – g]
2
1
s = ut − gt 2
2
1
s = 60 × 5 – × 10 × 52
2
= 300 – 125
s = 175 m = h
∴ Potential energy = mgh
= 200 × 10−3 × 10 × 175
= 350 J
(ii) In 5s, the velocity of the object is,
v2 = u2 + 2as
v2 = u2 − 2gs
= 602−2 × 10 × 175
= 3600 − 3500
2
v = 100
v = 10 m s−1
1
∴ Kinetic energy = mv 2
2

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1
= × 200 ×10-3 ×102
2
= 100 × 10–1
= 10 J
19. A body at rest explodes into two pieces of masses m1 and m2. Show that the ratio of their kinetic
T m
energies 1 = 2 .
T2 m1
Ans
1
Kinetic energy of mass m1 is T1 = m1v12
2
1
Kinetic energy of mass m2 is T2 = m 2 v 22
2
By principle of conservation of momentum,
m1v1 = m 2 v 2
1 2
T1 2 m1v1
∴ =
T2 1
m 2 v 22
2
m1v12 m1 m 2
= × ×
m 2 v 22 m 2 m1
m12 v12 m 2
= ×
m 22 v 22 m1
2

=
( m1v1 ) × m 2 [∵ m1v1 = m2v2]
2
( m 2 v2 ) m1
T1 m 2
=
T2 m1

Set – III (Power)

20. A trolley is pushed along an inclined plane with a force of 400 N through a distance of 60 m in 1 minute.
Calculate
(a) the energy spent in pushing the trolley.
(b) the power consumed.
Ans
F = 400 N
s = 60 m
t = 1 minute = 60 seconds.
(a) Energy spent in pushing the trolley
Energy spent = work done = F × s
= 400 × 60
= 24000
= 24 kJ

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(b) Power consumed

Energy 24 kJ 24×1000
Power = = =
Time 60 60
= 400 W
21. Two machines are capable of doing the same amount of work. Is it necessary for these two machines to
have same power?
Ans
Need not have same power.
22. What power is required to hoist 108 kg of coal per hour from a mine which is 60 m deep?
Take g = 10 m s–2.
Ans
m = 108 kg
h = 60 m
g = 10 m s−2
Power required to hoist 108 kg of coal,
Energy mgh
P= =
time t
108 × 60 × 10
=
1 hour
108 × 60 × 10
=
60 × 60
Power = 18 W
23. Why do roads on a mountain go up gradually and wind-up rather than go straight up the slope?
Ans
We require less power to climb the same height.
24. A boy of mass 50 kg runs up a flight of 120 stairs each measuring 25 cm in height in 1 minute 40 s.
Calculate the power of the boy. (g = 10 m s–2).
Ans
m = 50 kg, g = 10 m s–2
t = 1 minute 40 s s = 120 × 25
= 60 + 40 = 3000 cm
= 100 seconds h = s = 30 m
Energy
power =
Time
Potential energy = mgh
= 50 × 10 × 30
= 15000 J
15000
Power =
100
= 150 W

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25. A train of mass 105 kg moves at a uniform speed of 30 m s–1 on a level track. If the resistance due to
friction is 0.5 N for 100 kg, calculate the power lost by the engine due to friction.
Ans
m = 105 kg, v = 30 m s−1
Resistance due to friction is 0.5 N for 100 kg
105
∴ For 105 kg, kg × 0.5 = 500N
100
Frictional force = 500N
Distance (s) = velocity × time = v × t
= 30 × t
Distance = 30 t
work done energy force × displacement
Power = = =
time time time
500× 30t
P=
t
= 15000
= 15 kW

Multiple choice Questions – I

26. When a force acts on an object, maximum work is done when the angle between the displacement and
the direction of force is ____
(A) 0° (B) 60° (C) 90° (D) 120°
Ans (A)
When a force acts on an object, maximum work is done when the angle between the displacement and
the direction of force is 0°.
27. An object of mass 2 kg is lifted to a vertical height of 1 m. The work done is ____
(A) 1 J (B) 9.8 J (C) 19.6 J (D) 980 J
Ans (C)
m = 2 kg g = 9.8 m s−2
F = ma = mg = 2 × 9.8 = 19.6 N
W = F × s = 19.6 × 1 m = 19.6 J
28. A person who weighs 600 N climbs a height of 10 m. The amount of energy spent is ____
(A) 600 J (B) 58800 J (C) 6000 J (D) 60 J
Ans (C)
Weight = F = 600 N, Displacement, s = 10 m
Energy spent = Work done
=F×s
= 600 × 10
= 6000 J
29. If the velocity of an object is doubled, its kinetic energy will be increased by ____
(A) three times. (B) eight times. (C) four times. (D) six times.
Ans (C)

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1
Kinetic Energy = mv2
2
If ‘v’ is doubled, then
1 2
kinetic energy = m ( 2v )
2
1
= m 4v 2
2
1 
= 4  mv 2 
2 
∴ Kinetic energy increase four times.
30. Consider two bodies A and B, if A delivers more power than B, this means:
(A) A does more work than B.
(B) B takes energy to do work than A.
(C) A takes lesser time than B to do the same work.
(D) B takes lesser time than A to do the same work.
Ans (C)
Consider two bodies A and B. if A delivers more power than B, this means.
A takes lesser time than B to do the same work.

Multiple choice Questions – II (more than one correct answer)

31. You lift a suitcase from the floor and keep it on a table. The work done by you on the suitcase does not
depend on
(A) the path taken by the suitcase. (B) the time taken by you in doing so.
(C) the weight of the suitcase. (D) your weight.
Ans (A), (B), (D)
You lift a suitcase from the floor and keep it on a table. The work done by you on the suitcase does not
depend on
(A) the path taken by the suitcase
(B) the time taken by you in doing so
(D) your weight
32. When a body is moving up with constant velocity
(A) work done by lifting force is positive. (B) work done by lifting force is negative.
(C) work done by force of gravity is positive. (D) work done by force of gravity is negative.
Ans (A), (D)
When a body is moving up with constant velocity
(A) work done by lifting force is positive
(D) work done by force of gravity is negative.
33. If the work done by the force of gravity is negative
(A) potential energy increases. (B) kinetic energy decreases.
(C) potential energy remains constant. (D) potential energy decreases.
Ans (A), (B)
If the work done by the force of gravity is negative
(A) potential energy increases
R

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(B) kinetic energy decreases

34. The units of power are
(A) kg m s–1 (B) watt (C) J s–1 (D) N m s–1
Ans (B), (C), (D)
The units of power are
Watt (B)
E (J)
P=
t (s)
= Js–1 (C)
E W F × s ( N )( m )
P= = =
t t t (s)
 Nm 
= 
 s 
= Nm s–1 (D)

Consolidated exercise
Comprehension
Read the passage and answer the questions
A person lifts a cement block of mass m through a vertical height h and then walks horizontally a distance d
while holding the block.
35. What is the work done by the person during the vertical displacement?
Ans
mgh
36. What is the work done by the person during the horizontal displacement?
Ans
Zero
37. What is the net work done by the person?
Ans
mgh
38. What is the work done by the force of gravity during the vertical displacement of the block?
Ans
– mgh
39. What is the work done by the force of gravity during the horizontal displacement?
Ans
Zero
40. What is the net work done by the force of gravity?
Ans
– mgh
41. What is the net work done on the block?
Ans
+ mgh – mgh = 0

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42. Match the following

A B
1. Work (a) F×v
2. Stretched rubber band (b) kinetic energy
3. Moving bus (c) force × displacement
4. Power (d) potential energy
Ans
A B
1. Work (c) force × displacement
2. Stretched rubber band (d) potential energy
3. Moving bus (b) kinetic energy
4. Power (a) F×v

Questions from Competitive exams

43. A force of 20 N acting on an object of mass 2.0 kg initially at rest on a horizontal frictionless surface is
as shown in the figure. What is the kinetic energy of the object after it is displaced by 10 m? [NTSE]

θ = 60°

10 m
Ans
Force along the horizontal direction = F cosθ
= 20 × cos 60°
= 10 N
Displacement, s = 10 m
According to Work − Energy theorem,
Work done = change in Kinetic Energy
F × s = Tf − Ti
F × s = Tf − 0
Tf = 10 m × 10 N = 100 Nm or 100 J
44. A machine gun fires 240 bullets per minute with a velocity of 80 m s–1. If the mass of each bullet is
0.04 kg, calculate the power of the gun. [NTSE]
Ans
W
Power, P =
t
1
Kinetic energy of each bullet = mu 2
2
1 2
= × 0.04 × ( 80 )
2
R

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= 128 J
Total kinetic energy = 240 × 128 J
Work done by the gun = total K.E = 240 × 128 J
W 240 × 128
Power of the gun = =
t 60
P = 512 W
45. From what height should a body of mass 40 kg fall in order to have the same kinetic energy as that of a
vehicle of mass 196 kg travelling at 12 m s–1? (g = 9.8 m s−2) [NTSE]
Ans
Potential energy of the body = mgh = 40 × 9.8 × h
1
kinetic energy of the vehicle = × 196 × 122
2
Potential energy of the body = kinetic energy of the vehicle.
1
40 × 9.8 × h = × 196 × 12 × 12
2
196 × 12 × 12
h=
2 × 40 × 9.8
h = 36 m
46. A body of mass 0.1 kg starts falling freely under gravity from a height of 3 m. Calculate the potential
energy and kinetic energy of the body, when it is at a height of 1 m from the ground. [NTSE]
Ans
m = 0.1 kg, h = 3 m
Potential energy = mgh = 0.1 × 9.8 × 3 = 2.94 J
Potential energy of the body at a height of 1 m = 0.1 × 9.8 × 1 = 0.98 J
Total energy of the body = potential energy + kinetic energy at 1m
2.94 = 0.98 + kinetic energy
Kinetic energy = 2.94 − 0.98 = 1.96 J
Kinetic energy = 1.96 J
47. A bullet of mass m moving with a velocity v is fired into a large block of mass M. Find the velocity of
the system. [NSEJS]
Ans
Mass of the bullet m1 = m.
Initial velocity of the bullet, u1 = v
Initial velocity of the block, u2 = 0
Let v′ be the common velocity of the system.
By law of conservation of momentum,
m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
i.e., mv + M × 0 = (m + M) v′
mv
v' =
m+M

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48. A railway Engine pulls 10 wagons, each of mass 4 × 103 kg with a constant force. If the wagons initially
at rest are displaced through a distance of 1200 m in 5 minutes, calculate the average power of the
engine. [NTSE]
Ans
Displacement s = 1200m, initial velocity u = 0
Time taken, t = 5 × 60 = 300 seconds
Acceleration a can be found using
1
s = ut + at 2
2
1 2
1200 = a ( 300 )
2
1200 × 2 8
a= = ms 2
300 × 300 300
W Fs ma s 10 × 4 × 103 × 8 × 1200
Power, P = = = =
t t t 300 × 300
= 4.27 × 103 W
∴ Power = 4.27 kW
49. Two ball bearings of mass m each moving in opposite directions with equal speeds u collide head on
with each other. Predict the outcome of the collision, assuming it to be perfectly elastic. [NSEJS]
Ans
Masses of balls m1 = m2 = m
Initial velocities u1 = v and u2 = −v
Final velocities, v1 = ? and v2 = ?
Linear momentum is conserved.
m(v) + m(−v) = mv1 +mv2
0 = v1 + v2 ... (1)
v1 = −v2
From conservation of kinetic energy,
u12 + u22 = v12 + v22
i.e., 2v2 = v12 + v22
= (v1 + v2)2 − 2v1v2
2v2 = −2 v1 v2 ∴ v1 + v2 = 0 from (1)
= −2(−v2) v2
2v = 2v22
2

Thus, we get v2 = v and v1 = −v

Hence after collision, the two balls rebound back with equal speed.

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Challenging Exercise
50. An α particle is at rest. An electric field exerts a force of 4×10 −10 N on it. Find the kinetic energy of the
α particle after it has travelled 5 cm in the electric field.
Ans
F = 4 × 10–10 N
distance = 5 cm = 5 × 10–2m
∴ K.E = F × s
= 4 × 10-10 N × 5 × 10–2 m
= 20 × 10–12 J
= 2 × 10–11 J
51. Sergei Didyk of USSR holds the world record in weight lifting. He lifted 261 kg to a height of 2.4 m in
4 s. Find
(i) the weight lifted by Didyk.
(ii) the work done by him.
(iii) the power developed by him. (Assume g = 10 m s–2)
Ans
m = 261 kg
h = 2.4 m
t=4s
g = 10 m s−2
(i) Weight lifted = Force = m × a
=m×g
= 261 × 10
= 2610 N
(ii) Work done = energy spent = mgh
= 261 × 10 × 2.4
= 6004 J
Energy 6004J
(iii) Power = =
time 4s
= 1501 W
52. How fast does a 1600 kg car have to move to have the same kinetic energy as a 40 g bullet travelling at
700 cm s–1?
Ans
m1 = 1600 kg m2 = 40 g = 40 × 10−3 kg
v1 = ? v2 = 700 cm s−1 = 700 × 10–2 m s−1
to have same kinetic energy T1
1 1
m1 v12 = m 2 v 22
2 2
2
1600× v12 = 40×10 −3 × ( 700×10 −2 )
40×10−3 × 490000×10 −4
v12 =
1600

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19600000×10 −7
v12 = = 12.25×10 −4
1600
v1 = 3.5 × 10–2 m s−1 = 3.5 cm s−1
53. A rifle of mass 4 kg initially at rest fires a bullet of mass 25 g at 100 m s–1. Find the kinetic energy T of
bullet and that of the rifle
Ans
1
Tb = m b v 2b
2
1
Tr = m r v r2
2
1
Tb = × 0.025 × 1002
2
Tb = 5000 × 0.025
Tb = 125J
1
Tr = m r v v2
2
mbvb = mrvr
m v
vr = − b b
mr
−25 × 10 −3 × 100
=
4
v r = 0.625 m s −1
1
Tr = m r v r2
2
1 2
= × 4 × ( 0.625 )
2
= 0.78125 J

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