Work, Energy and Power

Correct symbols and units

Work W J (N.m)
Energy E J
Power P J.s -1
Work done on an object …
Define the work done on an object by a
constant force F as F Δx cosθ, where F is
the magnitude of the force, Δx the
magnitude of the displacement and θ the
angle between the force and the
displacement.
 Power
Define power as:

The rate at which work is done OR energy

is expended.
 Energy (E)
The ability to do work
 Potential energy (Ep)

The energy an object has due to its

position/height above the earth

Ep = mgh
 Kinetic energy (Ek)
The energy an object has due to its motion

Ek = ½ mv 2
 Mechanical energy
Mechanical energy is the sum of the
potential and kinetic energy at a
specific point.
EM = Ep + Ek
 Mechanical energy
Mechanical energy is conserved if
only conservative forces (Fg) are
doing work.
 Work is the product of force and
displacement, with the force and the
displacement in the same straight line.

W = F Δx cosθ
W = FΔxcosθ

Joule (J) = N.m

Work is a scalar
quantity
 F
Δx

WF = F Δx cosθ
Where o
cos(0 ) = 1
 F

Δx

WF = F Δx cosθ = 0 J
Where o
cos(90 ) = 0
 F
Δx

WF = F Δx cosθ
Where o
cos(180 ) = -1
Fg|| Δx

Fg
WFg = Fg|| Δx cosθ
Where o
cos(0 ) = 1
 Fy F

Fx

fk
Δx

Wnet = (Fx-fk) Δx cosθ

Where o
cos(0 ) = 1
Negative work → total energy of a
system decreases.
Therefore the brakes of a car will
decrease the total energy of the
system and negative work is
performed.
 Example 1
A book is pushed over a distance of 1,5m on a horizontal table
top with a horizontal force of 2N. The frictional force is 0,4N.

1.1 Calculate the work done by the 2N force onto the book.

WFapplied = Fapplied Δx cosθ

o
= 2N x 1,5m x cos(0 )
= 3J
 Example 1
A Book is pushed over a distance of 1,5m on a horizontal table top with a
horizontal force of 2N. The frictional force is 0,4N.

1.2 Calculate the work done by the frictional force onto the book.

Wf = f Δx cosθ
o
= 0,4N x 1,5m x cos(180 )
= -0,6J
 Example 1
A Book is pushed over a distance of 1,5m on a horizontal table top with a
horizontal force of 2N. The frictional force is 0,4N.

1.3 Calculate the net work done onto the book by the two forces.

Wnet = Fnet Δx cosθ

o
= 1,6N x 1,5m x cos(0 )
= 2,4J
 Example 1
A Book is pushed over a distance of 1,5m on a horizontal table top with a
horizontal force of 2N. The frictional force is 0,4N.

1.4 Is any work done by the normal force and the gravitational force onto
the book? Explain your answer.

No. The book is not displaced in the directions of

the gravitational/normal forces. These forces act
perpendicular to the displacement.
 Example 2 Fapplied
A factory worker pulls a loaded trolley
across a horizontal floor. He applies a
force of 750N to the handle of the trolley, 25o
Fx
which forms an angle of 25o to the floor.
The trolley experiences a frictional force of
250N when it moves 20m over the floor.
∆x = 20m
2.1 Calculate the work done by the
applied force to the trolley.
WFapplied = Fx ∆xcosθ
= (750cos25o) (20) cos(0o)
= 13594,62J
 Example 2 Fapplied
A factory worker pulls a loaded trolley
across a horizontal floor. He applies a
force of 750N to the handle of the trolley, 25o
Fx
which forms an angle of 25o to the floor.
The trolley experiences a frictional force of
250N when it moves 20m over the floor.
∆x = 20m
2.2 Calculate the work done by the
friction.

Wf = f ∆x cosθ
= 250 x 20 x cos(180o)
= -5000J
Example 2 Fapplied
A factory worker pulls a loaded
trolley across a horizontal floor.
He applies a force of 750N to the 25o
Fx
handle of the trolley, which forms
an angle of 25o to the floor. The
trolley experiences a frictional
force of 250N when it moves
∆x = 20m
20m over the floor.
WFg = Fg ∆x cosθ
2.3 Calculate the work done = mg x 20 x cos(90o)
by the weight of the
trolley.
= 0J
There is no component of gravity in
the same direction as the movement
 Example 3
A learner tries to move a heavy cabinet, with a mass of 80kg, by applying
a 50N push force parallel to the floor on it. The cabinet experiences a
frictional force of 39,2N. He manages to move the cabinet for a distance
of 5m.

50N N
80 kg
∆x = 5m fk FA
3.1 Draw a free-body diagram and
show all the forces acting on
the cabinet. Fg
 Example 3
A learner tries to move a heavy cabinet, with a mass of 80kg, by applying
a 50N push force parallel to the floor on it. The cabinet experiences a
frictional force of 39,2N. He manages to move the cabinet for a distance
of 5m. N
50N 80 kg
∆x = 5m Fapplied = 50N
3.2 Calculate the f = 39,2N
work done on
the cabinet by
each of the Fg
forces.
 Example 3
3.2 Calculate the work done on the cabinet by each of the
forces. N

WFg = Fg∆xcosθ f = 39,2N Fapplied = 50N

= Fg∆xcos90o
= 0J
Fg

50N 80 kg
∆x = 5m
 Example 3
3.2 Calculate the work done on the cabinet by each of the
forces. N

f = 39,2N Fapplied = 50N

WN = N ∆x cosθ
= N ∆x cos90o

= 0J Fg

50N 80 kg
∆x = 5m
 Example 3
3.2 Calculate the work done on the cabinet by each of the
forces. F N

WF = F∆x cosθ f = 39,2N Fapplied = 50N

= 50 x 5 x cos0∘
= 250J Fg

50N 80 kg
∆x = 5m
 Example 3
3.2 Calculate the work done on the cabinet by each of the
forces. N

Wf = f ∆x cosθ f = 39,2N Fapplied = 50N

= 39,2 x 5 x cos180 ∘

= -196J Fg

50N 80 kg
∆x = 5m
 Example 3
A learner tries to move a heavy cabinet, with a mass of 80kg, by applying
a 50N push force parallel to the floor on it. The cabinet experiences a
frictional force of 39,2N. He manages to move the cabinet for a distance
of 5m. N
50N 80 kg
∆x = 5m Fapplied = 50N
f = 39,2N
3.3 Calculate the
net work done on
the cabinet. Fg
 Example 3
3.3 Calculate the net work done on the cabinet.
N

Wnet = Fnet∆xcosθ f = 39,2N Fapplied = 50N

o
= (50-39,2) (5) (cos0 )
= 54J Fg

50N 80 kg
∆x = 5m
 Example 4
A man pulls a cart with a load up a hill that forms an angle of 25 o with
the horizontal. The mass of the cart and load is 350kg and the frictional
force of the road on the cart and load is 180N. He walks a distance of
half a kilometre at a constant velocity (accept that the gradient remains
unchanged).
N F
4.1 Draw a free-body
diagram of all the
forces acting on the fk
cart with its load.
Fg
 Example 4
A man pulls a cart with a load up a hill that forms an angle of 25 o with
the horizontal. The mass of the cart and load is 350kg and the frictional
force of the road on the cart and load is 180N. He walks a distance of
half a kilometre at a constant velocity (accept that the gradient remains
unchanged).
N F
4.2 Determine the net work
done on the cart and
load. fk

Fg
 Example 4
A man pulls a cart with a load up a hill that forms an angle of 25o with the horizontal. The mass of the
cart and load is 350kg and the frictional force of the road on the cart and load is 180N. He walks a
distance of half a kilometre at a constant velocity (accept that the gradient remains unchanged).

4.2 Determine the net work

done on the cart and N F
load.

fk
Wnet = Fnet ∆x cosθ
= 0J Fg
 Example 4
A man pulls a cart with a load up a hill that forms an angle of 25o with the horizontal. The mass of the
cart and load is 350kg and the frictional force of the road on the cart and load is 180N. He walks a
distance of half a kilometre at a constant velocity (accept that the gradient remains unchanged).

4.3 Calculate the work that the man

does on the cart and the load.
FN F
Fnet = F + Fg// + f = 0
F + (-350x9,8xsin25o) + (-180) = 0
F = 1629,58N fk
WF= F ∆x cosθ
Fg
= (1629,58)(500)(cos0o)
= 814790,32J
 Work-energy theorem
The net/ total work done on an object is equal to
the CHANGE in the object’s kinetic energy

OR

The work done on an object by a resultant/ net

force is equal to the change in the object’s kinetic
energy
Work-energy theorem

Wnet = ∆Ek
 Work-energy theorem
vi
Fnet
M
∆x

vf2 = vi2 + 2aΔx Wnet = FnetΔxcosθ

= (ma) Δx cos0
a= (½ vf2 – ½ vi2 )/Δx = ½ mvf – ½ mvi
2 2

= ∆Ek
 Example 5
A father pushes his son on a tricycle, by applying a horizontal force of 50N. The mass
of the son and the tricycle is 35kg.

Calculate the velocity the son reaches on the tricycle after the father has pushed him
a distance of 20m from a stationary position. The road exerts a frictional force of 8N
on each wheel.

F = 50N
f=24N
 Example 5
A father pushes his son on a tricycle, by applying a horizontal force of 50N. The mass
of the son and the tricycle is 35kg.

Calculate the velocity the son reaches on the tricycle after the father has pushed him
a distance of 20m from a stationary position. The road exerts a frictional force of 8N
on each wheel.
F = 50N
f=24N
Wnet = ∆Ek
(50 +(-24)) x 20 x cos0o = ½ mvf2 - ½ mvi2
520 = ½ (35)vf2 – 0
∴ vf = 5,45 m.s-1; in the direction of motion
 Conservative forces
A force for which the work done in moving an object between
two points is independent of the path taken.

Example:
Gravitational force
 Non-conservative forces
A force for which the work done in moving an object between
two points depends on the path taken.

Example:
Frictional force
 The principle of
conservation of mechanical
energy
The total mechanical energy in an isolated system remains
constant.

NOTE: A system is isolated when the net external force

(excluding the gravitational force) acting on the system is
zero.
EM(A) = EM(B)
As you continue on your WEP journey, you
will be introduced to the formulae below: