3.

Work, Energy, Power

Contents

1. 1 Powerpoint Notes
2. 2 Summary
1. 2.1 Work
2. 2.2 Energy
3. 2.3 Principle of Conservation of Energy
4. 2.4 Power and efficiency
5. 2.5 Friction
6. 2.6 Terminal velocity
7. 2.7 Inertia
8. 2.8 Energy, Work, Power
3. 3 Worked examples
4. 4 MCQ Questions
1. 4.1 MCQ Answers
5. 5 Structured Question and Worked Solutions

Summary
Work
 Work is the product of the force on a body and the distance it moves in the
direction of the force
 Work done =  force x distance moved in the direction of the force
 Work is done whenever energy is changed from one form into another.
 SI unit is joule (J)
 Work is a scalar quantity

Energy
 energy is defined as the capacity to do work
 SI unit is joule (J)
 Energy is a scalar quantity
 Kinetic energy is the energy a body possesses due to its movement
  kinetic energy can be classified into

o translational kinetic energy: possessed by bodies in translational motion (eg moving

train) = 1/2 mv2
o rotational kinetic energy: possessed by bodies in rotational motion (eg rotating merry-
go-round)
 potential energy is the energy a body possesses due to its position or state
 potential energy can be classified into:
o gravitational potential energy: possessed by a body due to its position = mgh    
o elastic potential energy: possessed by a body due to its strained state of being
stretched or compressed

Eg. A ball of mass 500g is moving at a velocity of 5m/s. What is the kinetic energy of the ball?

kinetic energy = 1/2 mv2 = 1/2 x 0.5 x 5 x 5 = 6.25 J

Eg. Billy has a mass of 40kg. He runs up a flight of 20 steps, each of height 0.25m. Calculate his
gain in gravitational potential energy

gain in gravitational potential energy = mgh = 40 x 10 x (20 x 0.25) = 2000 J

Principle of Conservation of Energy

States that energy can neither be created not destroyed but can be transformed from one form into
another with no change in its total amount.

Eg. A ball of mass 3kg is dropped from a height of 5m.

i. calculate the gravitational potential energy of the ball before it is dropped
ii. calculate the speed of the ball on hitting the ground
iii. if the ball bounces to a height of 3m, with what speed does it leave the ground?
iv. explain why the ball does not reach its original height when it bounces up again

i. gravitational potential energy = mgh = 3 x 10 x 5 = 150J

ii. The kinetic energy of the ball on hitting the ground is equal to the ball's original gravitational potential
energy so the kinetic energy of the ball on hitting the ground = 150J

If the ball hits the ground with speed v,

1/2 mv2 = 150
v2 = (150 - 2)/3 = 100
v = 10ms-1

iii. The kinetic energy of the ball on leaving the ground is equal to its gravitational potential energy on
rising to its maximum height that is 3m.
The gravitational potential energy of the ball 3m above the ground = 3 x 10 x 3 = 90 J

The kinetic energy of the ball leaving the ground = 90 J

If the ball leaves the ground with speed v,
1/2 mv2 = 90
v2 = (90 x 2)/3
v = 7.746ms-1
iv. Because part of its kinetic energy is changed into other forms of energy like sound and heat when it
hits the ground

Eg. A pendulum bob of mass 0.5kg is moved sideways until it has risen by a vertical height of
0.2m. Calculate the speed of the bob at its
i. highest point
ii. lowest point

i. at the highest point, the kinetic energy of the bob = 0

if the speed of the bob at its highest point is v,
1/2 mv2 = 0
1/2 x 0.5 x v = 0
v2 = 0
v=0

ii. according to the principle of conservation of energy, the kinetic energy of at the lowest point is equal to
the gravitational potential energy at the highest point.
If the speed of the bob at its lowest point is v,
1/2 mv2 = mgh
v2 = 2 x 10 x 0.2 = 4
v = 2 m/s

Power and efficiency

 Power is defined as the rate of doing work 
 Power = work done/time taken
 SI unit is watt (W)
 Efficiency is the ratio of useful output energy to the total input energy or the ratio of useful power
to the total input power.
 Efficiency = (useful output energy / input energy) x 100%

Eg. A crane can lift a 200kg mass through a vertical height of 5m in 4s. Calculate
i. the power output of the motor driving the crane
ii. the efficiency of the motor if the power input is 5kW

i. power output = work done/time taken = (200 x 10 x 5)/4 = 2500W

ii. efficiency of motor = (power output/power input) x 100% = (2500/5000) x 100% = 50%

Friction
 The net force that slows down moving objects
 Acts in the opposite direction of motion of objec

1. Static friction

 related to objects which are not moving.

 amount of force applied = amount of friction

2. Moving friction
  applied force does not affect friction
 it can be affected by surface or sudden change in mass

Advantages of friction

 enables walking
 brakes of vehicles

Disadvantages

 reduce efficiency of machinery

 energy wasted as heat

Methods to reduce friction

 lubricants
 ball bearings

-----> so that moving parts are made smoother

Terminal velocity
 The greater the velocity of an object, the higher the air resistance.
 Definition: The constant maximum velocity reached by a body falling through the atmosphere
under the attraction of gravity.
 When an object reaches terminal velocity, the force of gravity and air resistance are balanced, the
object falls at a constant speed and doesn’t accelerate.
 Factors affected: Size, surface area, weight and nature of medium where object is flying.
 If an object is falling through a vacuum, there would be no air resistance, thus acceleration is due
to gravity alone.

Inertia
 Resistance of an object to change.
 The greater the mass the more resistant it is.
 An object at rest will remain at rest and an object at motion will remain at a constant speed with
an absence of a resultant force.
Energy, Work, Power

   Work Energy Power

 Definition Work done on an object is Energy is the capacity to do Power is defined as the
when a constant force is work. rate of doing work
applied on the object
producing a distance There are many different - Rate of energy transfer /
moving in the direction of types of energy like conversion
the force. translational, rotational and
vibrational kinetic energy.
 SI unit  Joule (J) Joule (J) Watt (W)
 Definition  One joule of work is done One joule of work is done One watt is produced when
of SI unit when a force of one when an 1 joule of work is done for 1
Newton moves through a object with 1kg moves at second.
distance of one metre in 1m/s.
the direction of the force.
 Equation  Work = Force x Distance  K.E. = (1/2)(mv2) Power = Work/Time
m = mass Power = Energy/Time
v = velocity

P.E. = mgh
m = mass
g = gravitational
acceleration
h = height
 Remarks  Work is done on an object  The principle of  Efficiency = (useful energy
only when the force conservation of energy output/total energy input) x
applied on it states that energy cannot be 100
produces motion. created or destroyed, but
can only change from one
form to another.

Worked examples
1. a stone of mass 5kg is dropped through a distance of 2.0m. Find the work done by the gravity on the
stone.

Work done = force x distance = weight x distance = (5 x 10) x 2 = 100J

2. Calculate the work done against gravity in lifting a load of weight 50N through a vertical distance of
30cm

Work done = force x distance = weight x distance = 50 x (30/100) J = 15J

3. An object 25kg is moved 2m on a smooth horizontal surface. Find the work done by its weight

weight of object = 25 x 10 = 250N acting vertically downwards

work done by weight = 250 x 0 = 0J (because vertical distance moved = 0)

MCQ Questions
1. When a book of mass 2kg was pushed along the horizontal surface of the table, the friction force
measured was 5N. When the book was pushed along the same table with a force of 9N, it moved with a
constant
a. acceleration of 2.0 m/s2
b. acceleration of 25 m/s2
c. speed of 2.0 m/s
d. speed of 2.5 m/s2

2. A balloon filled with gas has a total weight of 1800N. The balloon descends with a constant speed of 3
m/s. What is the resultant force acting on the balloon during descent?
a. 0N
b. 600N
c. 1800N
d. 5400N

3. A crane lifts a load of 8000N through a vertical distance of 20m in 4s. What is the average power
during this operation?
a. 100W
b. 1600W
c. 40000W
d. 640000W

4. A toy car A moving with a speed of 30 m/s has a kinetic energy of 900J. Another toy car B has twice
the mass of toy car A. If toy car B moves with a speed of 15 m/s, what is the kinetic energy of toy car B?
a. 450J
b. 900J
c. 1800J
d. 3600J

5. A 60W fluorescent lamp converts half the electrical energy supplied into light energy. How much light
energy does it emit in 1 minute?
a. 30W
b. 60W
c. 1800W
d. 3600W

6. A electric motor is used to lift a 200N load through 3m in 5s. If the motor has an efficiency of 40%, what
is the total electrical energy used by the motor in one second?
a. 48W
b. 300W
c. 1200W
d. 3000W

7. A trolley of mass 1.5kg is placed on a smooth table. If a constant force of 6N acts on the trolley, the
acceleration produced by the force will be
a. 0.25 ms-2
b. 4 ms-2
c. 4.5 ms-2
d. 7.5 ms-2
8. An object of mass 2kg moves with uniform velocity when a constant force of 10N acts on it. When the
force is increased to 20N, the acceleration will be
a. 4 ms-2
b. 5 ms-2
c. 6 ms-2
d. 10 ms-2

9. The weight of a rocket in outer space is zero because

a. its mass becomes zero
b. there is no frictional force
c. there is no gravitational force
d. the rocket is stationary

10. A ball of mass 0.2kg is thrown to a height of 15m. What is the change in its gravitational potential
energy? (g=10N/kg)
a. 0.3 J
b. 3.0 J
c. 7.5 J
d. 30 J
e. 75 J

11. A boy pushes a toy cart along a level road and then lets it go. As the cart is slowing down, the biggest
energy change is from
a. chemical to heat
b. chemical to kinetic
c. heat to kinetic
d. kinetic to chemical
e. kinetic to heat

12. A girl weighing 400N takes 4s to run up the stairs 3m high. What is her average speed?
a. 0.75 m/s
b. 0.8 m/s
c. 1.25 m/s
d. 1.33 m/s
e. 12 m/s

13. How much potential energy does she gain? (from question 12)
a. 120 J
b. 200 J
c. 400 J
d. 1200 J
e. 2000 J

14. A block of mass 2kg slides from rest through a distance of 20m down a frictionless slope 10m high.
What is the kinetic energy of the block at the bottom of the slope? (g = 10ms-2_
a. 20 J
b. 40 J
c. 200 J
d. 400 J
e. 800 J

15. What are the main energy changes in a hydroelectric power station?
a. electrical -> kinetic -> heat
b. heat -> electrical -> kinetic
c. kinetic -> light -> electrical
d. kinetic -> potential -> light
e. potential -> kinetic -> electrical

16. An electric motor runs with a steady input of 250 V and 4 A while raising a load of 1000N. Assuming
the motor and transmission to be 100% efficient, what time is taken to lift the load vertically through a
distance of 10m?
a. 1 s
b. 1.5 s
c. 4 s
d. 10 s
e 250 s

17. No work is done by an object at rest because

a. no force is acting on the object
b. no distance is moved
c. heat is not produced
d. friction is acting on the object

18. A mass of 40g is raised vertically from the ground to a height of 50cm, the work done in lifting the
mass is
a. 0.02J
b. 20J
c. 0.2J
d. 2000J

19. During free fall, work is done by

a. frictional force
b. magnetic force
c. gravitational force
d. centripetal force

20. Kinetic energy is transformed into gravitational potential energy when

a. a raindrop falls from the sky
b. a rubber band is stretched
c. a stone is thrown upwards
d. a bullet is fired horizontally

21. A hammer of a pile-driver is lifted to a height of 2m in 0.5s. If the mass of the hammer is 500kg, the
power required for the lifting is
a. 500W
b. 1000W
c. 2000W
d. 20000W

22. A car travels at a constant speed of 10m/s. What is the power of the car if the total resistant forces
acting on it is 400N?
a. 1/40 W
b. 40W
c. 400W
d. 4000W

23. A known force is applied to an object on a horizontal, frictionless surface. What property of the object
must be known in order to calculate its acceleration?
a. density
b. mass
c. surface area
d. volume
e. weight

24. Which expression is used to calculate force?

a. frequency x wavelength
b. mass x acceleration
c. power + time
d. pressure x area
e. work x distance

25. Which of the following is a vector quantity?

a. energy
b. mass
c. temperature
d. time
e. velocity

26. When a force is applied to a body, several effects are possible. Which of the following effects could
not occur?
a. the body speeds up
b. the body rotates
c. the body changes direction
d. the pressure on the body increases
e. the mass of the body decreases

27. A girl weighing 400N takes 4s to run up the stairs as shown in the diagram. What is her average
speed?

a. 0.75 m/s
b. 0.8 m/s
c. 1.25 m/s
d. 1.33 m/s
e. 12 m/s

28. How much potential energy does she gain? (from qn 27)
a. 120 J
b. 200 J
c. 400 J
d. 1200 J
d. 2000 J

29. An electric motor can lift a weight of 2000N through a height of 10m in 20s. What is the power of the
motor?
a. 10 W
b. 1000 W
c. 2000 W
d. 4000 W
e. 400 000 W
30. What are the main energy changes in a hydroelectric power station?
a. electrical --> kinetic --> heat
b. heat --> electrical --> kinetuc
c. kinetic --> light --> electrical
d. kinetic --> potential --> light
e. potential --> kinetic --> electric

31. A spiral spring has a natural length of 10.0cm. When a load of 5N is placed at one end while the other
end is fixed on a hook, the length of the spring becomes 11.0cm. What is the new length of the spring if
the load is 20N?
a. 12.0cm
b. 14.0cm
c. 20.0cm
d. 44.0cm

32. A body whose mass is 4kg, is placed on a frictionless surface. It is being pulled by a spring balance
and the acceleration produced is 1m/s2. What is the reading on the spring balance?
a. 4N
b. 5N
c. 36N
d. 40N

33. A body weighs 50N on earth where the acceleration due to gravity is 10m/s 2. When taken to the
moon, where the acceleration due to gravity is 1.6m/s2, the body would have a weight, in newtons, of
a. zero
b. 8
c. 50
d. 80

34. A parachutist, whose body and equipment have a total mass of 150kg, descends vertically through
the air at a steady speed of 10m/s. Taking g = 10m/s 2, the resultant force acting on him in this descent is
a. 1500N upwards
b. 150N upwards
c. 0N
d. 1500N downwards

35. A man weights 600N. He runs up stairs of total height 4 metres in 3 seconds. How much power is
exerted by the man?
a. 450 W
b. 800 W
c. 2400 W
d. 7200 W

36. When two forces are combined, the size of the resultant depends on the angle between the two
forces. Which of the following cannot be the magnitude of the resultant when forces of magnitude 3N and
4N are combined?
a. 1 N
b. 3 N
c. 7 N
d. 8 N

37. A rock of mass 20kg is travelling in space at a speed of 6m/s. What is its kinetic energy?
a. 60 J
b. 120 J
c. 360 J
d. 720 J

38. A block of mass 6kg is pulled across a rough surface by a 54N force, against a friction force F. The
acceleration of the block is 6m/s2. What is the value of F?
a. 9 N
b. 18 N
c. 36 N
d. 54 N

39. A girl of weight 500 N runs up a flight of stairs in 10 s. The vertical height of the stairs is 5 m. What is
the average power developed by the girl?
a. 50 W
b. 100 W
c. 250 W
d. 1000 W

40. When a block of wood of mass 2 kg is pushed along the horizontal flat surface of a bench, the friction
force is 4N. When the block is pushed along the bench with a force of 10 N, it moves with a constant
a. speed of 3 m/s
b. speed of 5 m/s
c. acceleration of 3 m/s2
d. acceleration of 5 m/s2

41. A person exerts a horizontal force of 600 N on a box that also experiences a friction force of 200N. If it
takes 4.0s to move the box 3.0m, what is the average useful power?
a. 150 W
b. 300 W
c. 450 W
d. 600 W

42. Which of the following best describes the useful energy change that takes place inside a mobile
phone when sound is being produced?
a. electrical energy --> sound energy
b. chemical energy --> electrical energy --> heat energy
c. chemical energy --> heat energy --> electrical energy + sound energy
d. chemical energy --> electrical energy --> sound energy

43. A car is being driven up a slope at a constant speed. Which of the following describes the energy
conversion of the system?
a. chemical into kinetic
b. chemical into potential
c. kinetic into potential
d. potential into kinetic

44. A car goes down a slope at constant speed. Which of the following describes the energy conversion?
a. chemical into kinetic
b. chemical into potential
c. kinetic into potential
d. potential into heat

45. What is the effect of the air resistance on a falling object?

a. the speed of the object is reduced 
b. the acceleration of the object is reduced
c. the distance travelled by the object is reduced
d. the direction of motion of the object is changed
46. An object is moving due east at a constant speed of 5m/s before two equal and opposite forces of
10N each act on the object at the same time. The object will
a. move with higher speed in the same direction
b. move with lower speed in the same direction
c. continue to travel at the same speed in the same direction
d. change the direction of motion and travel in the opposite direction

MCQ Answers
1. a
2. a
3. c
4. a
5. c
6. b
7. b
8. b
9. c
10. d
11. e
12. c
13. d
14. c
15. e
16. d
17. b
18. b
19. c
20. c
21. d
22. d
23. b
24. b
25. e
26. e
27. c
28. d
29. b
30. e
31. b
32. a
33. b
34. c
35. b
36. d
37. c
38. b
39. c
40. c
41. b
42. d (energy is stored in the phone as chemical energy in the battery)
43. b ("constant speed" means no change in kinetic energy)
44. d (as above)
45. b (air resistance can never slow down a falling object but can only cause the falling object to have
acceleration smaller than 10m/s2)
46. c (when a pair of equal and opp. force acts on the object, the forces cancel each other's efforts and
therefore the resultant force acting on the object is zero.)

Structured Question and Worked Solutions

1. State briefly the energy changes in the production of electricity from
a. the burning of coal
b. wind-power
c. nuclear fission

Solution

a. chemical energy -> heat and light energy -> latent energy of vaporization -> kinetic energy of steam ->
kinetic energy of turbines -> kinetic energy of generator -> electrical energy

b. kinetic energy of air -> kinetic energy of windmill -> kinetic energy of generator -> electrical energy

c. nuclear energy of uranium -> heat energy -> latent heat of vaporization -> kinetic energy of steam ->
kinetic energy of turbines -> kinetic energy of generator -> electrical energy

2. A boy of mass 30kg runs up a flight of stairs to a floor which is at a height of 5.5m in 6.0s.
Taking the weight of 1 kg = 10 N, calculate
a. work done by the boy against gravity
b. average power developed by the boy

Solution

a. work done = weight x distance = 30 x 10  x 5.5 = 1650 J

b. average power = work done/time = 1650/6 = 275 W

3a. Define force and state its SI unit

b. Two forces acting at a point have magnitudes 3 N and 4 N. By means of a diagram, show the
lines of action of the forces when their resultant is
i. 7 N
ii. less than 7 N but more than 1 N,
iii. 1 N

c. Two forces of magnitudes 70 N and 50 N act at a point so that the angle between their lines of
action is 40o. By means of a scale diagram, determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant
force acting at the point.

d. In a study on impact, a bullet of mass 50g penetrates a target and is brought to rest from an
initial speed of 500ms-1 in 0.2 s.
i. calculate the average deceleration of the bullet over the 0.2 s
ii. find the retarding force acting on the bullet during its impact with the target

Solution

a. One newton is defined as the force that gives a 1 kg mass an acceleration of 1ms -2.
SI unit: newton (N)

C.

di. average deceleration = (500 - 0)/0.2 = 2500 ms -1

dii. retarding force = (50/1000) x 2500 N = 125 N

4. A student Ben, starting at point P, walks due North for 1hr at a constant speed of 4.0km/h and
then, at the same constant speed, walks 4.0km due East, finishing at a point Q. In the same total
time but at a different constant speed, a second student Tom walks directly from P to Q.
Determine
i. the total distance walked by student Ben
ii. the distance walked by student Tom
iii. the velocity of student Tom
Solution

i. 8.0km
ii. 5.7km
iii. speed = 5.7/2 = 2.85km/h
velocity of student Tom is 2.85km/h at 45o to the North

5. A petrol-driven car accelerates from rest to its cruising speed along a straight level road.
i. state the principal energy changes in the car and its surroundings
ii. the car now climbs a slope with no change of speed. Explain whether the rate of petrol
consumption will increase, stay the same, or decrease

Solution

i. chemical potential energy -> kinetic energy of car -> internal energy gained by road and air

The chemical energy in the fuel is converted into kinetic energy of the car and internal energy gained by
the air and road due to friction.

ii. rate of petrol consumption increases. When the car climbs a slope, it gains gravitational potential
energy because of work done against gravity.

6. The useful power output of a small dc motor is used to raise a load of 0.75kg through a vertical
distance of 1.2m. The time taken is 18.0s. The voltage across the motor and the current through it
are constant at 6.0V and 0.30A respectively. Assuming that the gravitational force on a mass of
1.0kg is 10N, calculate
i. the power input to the motor
ii. work done in raising the load
iii. useful power output developed by the motor

Solution

i.power input to motor = IV = 0.30 x 6.0 = 1.80 W

ii. work done = force x distance = 0.75 x 10 x 1.2 = 9 J
iii. power output = work done/time = 9/18 = 0.50 W

7. The figure below shows a simple pulley system. Calculate

i. the work done by the man in lifting the load
ii. the gravitational potential energy gained by the load
iii. the efficiency of the pulley system

i. work done = 50 x 3 = 150J

ii. gravitational potential energy = 40 x 3 = 120J
iii. efficiency = (120/150) x 100% = 80%

8. A motor boat travels due north at a steady speed of 3.0m/s through calm water in which there is
no current. The boat then enters an area of water in which a steady current flows at 2.0m/s in a
south-west direction as shown. Both the engine power and the course setting remain unchanged.
a. In the space below, draw a vector diagram showing the velocity of the boat and the velocity of
the current. Use the diagram to find
i. the magnitude of the resultant velocity of the boat
ii. the angle between the due North and the direction of travel of the boat

b. Calculate the distance the boat now travels in 5.0 minutes

c. The mass of the boat is 3.0 x 103 kg (3000 kg). Calculate the additional force which needs to be
applied to give the boat an initial acceleration of 2.5 x 10 -2 m/s2 (0.025 m/s2)

Solution

8ai. scale: 1cm = 0.5 m/s

magnitude of resultant velocity = 2.15 m/s

8aii. angle = 42o

8b. distance = 2.15 x 5 x 60 = 645 m

8c. F = ma = 3000 x 2.5 x 10-2 = 75 N

9. In a laboratory experiment, a small trolley was accelerated from rest by applying a small force
to it. The distance travelled by the trolley was measured as 1.1 m in a time of 0.55 s. Calculate its
average speed.

During this movement, the trolley was uniformly accelerating from rest. Calculate its speed after
0.55 s and its acceleration during this speed.

The mass of the trolley is 1.2 kg. What is the force producing this acceleration?

Solution

average speed = distance / time = 11 / 0.55 = 2 m/s

speed after 0.55 s --> v = (2 x average speed) - u = 4 m/s

acceleration = (v - u) / t = (4 - 0) / 0.55 = 7.273 m/s2

force = ma = 1.2 x 7.273 = 8.73 N

10. In a crash test a car of mass 1500kg containing a dummy is driven into a rigid barrier at a
speed of 15m/s. The recorded results showed that the interval between the first contact with the
barrier and the car coming to rest was 0.12s.

a. calculate the average deceleration of the car over the 0.12s

b. find the retarding force, assumed to be constant, acting on the car

c. One of the man-shaped dummies used in the above test was strapped in place with a safety
belt. The dummy was found to have moved forward 0.25m against the force exerted by the belt.
Given that the kinetic energy of the dummy just before impact was 7870 J, calculate the average
force which acted in the dummy as it was stopping.

d. Explain why it is an advantage for anyone riding in the car to be brought to rest steadily over
this distance of 0.25m rather than abruptly.

Solution

10a. given u = 15 m/s, t = 0.12 s, v = 0 m/s

v = u + at
0 = 15 + a(0.12)
a = -125 m/s2

therefore the deceleration of the car is 125 m/s2

10b. F = ma = 1500 x -125 = -1.875 x 105 N

therefore the retarding force is 1.875 x 105 N

10c. loss in kinetic energy = work done = force x distance

7870 = F x 0.25
--> F = 31480 N

10d. The force acting on the passenger will be much greater and hence drastic injuries could result if the
passenger is brought to rest suddenly.

11. A bricklayer lifts 12 bricks each weighing 20 N a vertical height of 1.2 m in 30 s. and place them
at rest on a wall. Calculate
a. the work done
b. the average power needed

Solution

11a. work done = total weight x height = 12 x 20 x 1.2 = 288 J

11b. average power needed = work done / time = 288 / 30 = 9.6 W

12. A small, hard ball of mass 0.14 kg is thrown vertically upwards and reaches a height of 12 m
above the point from which it is thrown.
Calculate the least energy which it must be given when thrown. (take the force of gravity on 1 kg
to be 10 N)

On a windless day an inflated ball of much larger volume but having the same mass is propelled
upwards with the same energy. It reaches a considerably smaller height. Explain briefly why this
is so.

Solution

energy required = work done = force x distance = 0.14 x 10 x 12 = 16.8 J

A larger volume means that the ball has a larger surface area so it will experience a larger resistance.
Hence some energy is lost resulting in a smaller height.

13. An athlete throws a javelin of mass 0.80 kg so that its centre of gravity is raised from a height
of 2.0m above ground level at the moment of release, to a maximum height of 14.0 during its flight.

Calculate the energy to lift it against gravity to this height. (force of gravity on 1 kg is 10N)

Explain why the energy with which the javelin leaves the athlete's hand is considerably greater
than the energy calculated above.

Solution

vertical distance = 12m

Force = 0.8 x 10 = 8 N

work done = force x distance = 8 x 12 = 96 J

This is because the energy calculated is for the work done to lift the javelin vertically upwards. In the
motion, the javelin also moves horizontally. Therefore extra energy is needed to do the work.

14. A steady force of 6.0 N is applied horizontally to a body of mass 4.0 kg, which is initially at
rest. In the 2.0 s during which the force is applied, the mass moves 3.0 m in the direction of the
force. Assuming that there is no resistance to the motion, find
a. the work done by the force
b. the resulting kinetic energy of the body
c. the resulting velocity of the body

Solution

14a. work done = force x distance = 6 x 3 = 18 J

14b. kinetic energy = work done = 18 J

14c, kinetic energy = 1/2 mv2

18 = 1/2 x 4v2
v = 3 m/s

15. An empty lift is counterbalanced by a heavy piece of metal. Some people of combined mass
350 kg enter the lift and operate it. The lift rises 50 m in 60 s. Calculate
a. the work done in raising the people
b. the power required to do this
(take weight of 1kg to be 10N)

Solution

15a. work done = force x distance = 3500 x 50 = 175 000 J

15b. power = work done / time = 175 000 / 60 = 2916.7 W

16. A stunt man has one end of a thick elastic cord attached to him. The other end of the cord is
firmly attached to a point on a high bridge. When the man jumps from the bridge he falls freely
under gravity for 2.5s. Take the acceleration of free fall to be 10m/s2 and assume that the man is
initially at rest.

a. Calculate
i. the vertical speed the man acquires during his free fall
ii. the vertical distance fallen

Suggest one reason why, in a real jump, the distance fallen in 2.5 s and the speed reached would
be less than your calculated answers, even though the cord was slack throughout the 2.5 s.

b. After this time the cord begins to stretch and the man falls with continually reducing downward
acceleration. Why is this?

c. Eventually his downward acceleration becomes zero. Explain why this happens.

If the mass of the man is 80 kg, suggest a value for the tension in the cord when his downward
acceleration is zero.

Without making any further calculation, describe his motion after the point where his downward
acceleration has become zero.

Solution

16ai. vertical speed, v = u + at = 0 + 10(2.5) = 25 m/s

16aii. vertical distance fallen = (u + v) / 2 x 2.5 = (25/2) x 25 = 31.25 m

The existence of the air resistance brought about a smaller resultant force.

16b. As the stunt man falls further, the tension in the cord increases and together with air resistance
reduce the resultant force.

16c. This is because the tension in the cord equals the man's weigh; no net forces is present at this time.

tension in the cord = weight of man = 80 x 10 = 800 N

The man begins to oscillate up and down about this point.

17. A spring has a length of 5.0cm when it has no load hanging on it. When a load of weight 30N is
hung from it, its length becomes 11.0cm. How long will it be if the weight of the load is changed to
20N?

Solution

9.0cm

18. A boy riding a bicycle has a total mass of 60kg and an acceleration of 0.6m/s 2. Calculate the
accelerating force acting on the boy and the bicycle.

Solution

36N

19. A mass of 8kg is given an acceleration of

a. 5m/s2.
b. 40cm/s2.
What is the force acting in each case?

Solution

19a. 40N

19b. 3.2N

20. An object experiences 2 forces. A force of 3N pulls it horizontally to the right and one of 6N is
applied at 60˚ to the horizontal. Draw a scale diagram to find the resultant and its direction

Solution

7.9N at 41˚ to the horizontal