IB PHYSICS | COMPLETED NOTES

Calculating Energy
IB PHYSICS | ENERGY & MOMENTUM
Energy Calculations

Kinetic Energy (KE)

Potential Energy (PE)

 Who has more energy??
100 kg
100 kg

7.67 m/s 3m

𝐾𝐸 = 12𝑚𝑣 2 𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ

= 12(100)(7.67)2 = (100)(9.81)(3)
= 𝟐𝟗𝟒𝟏 𝐉 = 𝟐𝟗𝟒𝟑 𝐉
 Understanding Relationships

How does PE change when you triple the height?

3 times PE
How does KE change when you triple the velocity?
32
9 times KE
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Total Energy Before = Total Energy After

3750 J

7500 J

11250 J

15000 J
Conservation of Energy

Click here for

Simulation
 Conservation of Energy
A 2-kg ball is released from a height of 20 m. What is
0 m/s
its velocity when its height has decreased to 5 m?
PE

𝑃𝐸 + 𝐾𝐸 = 𝑃𝐸 + 𝐾𝐸
𝑚𝑔ℎ = 𝑚𝑔ℎ + 12𝑚𝑣 2 20 m

(2)(9.81)(20) = (2)(9.81)(5) + 12(2)𝑣 2

v=?
392.4 = 98.1 + 𝑣 2 PE
KE
5m

𝒗 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟐 𝐦/𝒔
 Try this
The height of the building Spider-Man (a.k.a. Peter Parker, a.k.a. Tobey
McGuire) starts off on is 6 stories, or 18 meters high. The height of the
building he wants to swing to is 1 story, or 3 meters high. Tobey McGuire is
has a mass of approximately 72 kg. Use conservation of energy to calculate
his speed when his feet touch the roof of the second building
𝑃𝐸 + 𝐾𝐸 = 𝑃𝐸 + 𝐾𝐸
𝑚𝑔ℎ = 𝑚𝑔ℎ + 12𝑚𝑣 2
(72)(9.81)(18) = (72)(9.81)(3) + 12(72)𝑣 2
12,714 = 2,119 + 36𝑣 2
𝒗 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟐 𝐦/𝐬
 Notice any similarities??
The final velocity is the same in each example.
Same height change, mass doesn’t matter!
 Try this
*if you aren’t given What is the velocity of a marble at point A?
the mass, you
should write out the
equation and the
Initial Energy = Final Energy
mass will cancel
𝑃𝐸 + 𝐾𝐸 = 𝑃𝐸 + 𝐾𝐸
PE 𝑚𝑔ℎ = 𝑚𝑔ℎ + 12𝑚𝑣 2
PE KE (9.81)(100) = (9.81)(70) + 12𝑣 2

100 m 70 m
𝒗 = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟑 𝐦/𝒔
 No Mass? No Problem…
Water at the bottom of a waterfall PE
has a velocity of 30 m/s after falling KE

16 meters. What is the water speed

at the top? KE

𝑃𝐸 + 𝐾𝐸 = 𝑃𝐸 + 𝐾𝐸
1
2 𝑚𝑣 2
+ 𝑚𝑔ℎ = 12𝑚𝑣 2
1 2
2𝑣 + (9.81)(16) = 12(30)2

𝒗 = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟐 𝐦/𝒔
 Lesson Takeaways
❑ I can describe and calculate kinetic energy and
gravitational potential energy
❑ I can explain the implications of the conservation of
energy and show that the total energy in a closed system
is always the same
❑ I can interpret a scenario and set up an equality based
on the energies present at different locations
❑ I can use the conservation of energy to solve for an
unknown energy or variable in a problem
Work and Power
IB PHYSICS | ENERGY & MOMENTUM
Where did the energy come from?
Initial Energy | Final Energy
𝑚𝑔ℎ
𝟎𝐉 (80)(9.81)(2.5)
𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟐 𝐉 80 kg

2.5 m
80 kg
Where did the energy come from?
Initial Energy | Final Energy
1 2 1 2
𝑚𝑣 = (200)(5)
𝟎𝐉 2 2

𝟐𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐉
0 m/s

200 kg 200 kg 5 m/s

 Let’s give it a name

When the energy is added to or

removed from a system, we call it

Work
How does Science Define Work?

Work is done when a force

is applied to an object and
the object moves in the
same direction as the
applied force.
 How do you Calculate Work

Work* = Force × Displacement

*When force is constant and in the same direction as the movement

W F × s
Symbols

[J] [N] × [m]

Units

=
 The things necessary for Work

• There must be a force

• There must be a displacement

What about direction?

 Work at an Angle
Must use the component of the force that is in the
same direction as the motion
𝐹𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 =
𝐹
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑠
𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑾 = 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽𝒔
F F
Fy
θ
Fx

s
 Work at an Angle

W = Fs cosθ

F
θ
Fcosθ

s
 Does this always work?
𝜃 = 90°
W = Fs cosθ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 90° = 0
𝑊 =0J
F
𝜃 = 0°
𝑐𝑜𝑠 0° = 1 F
𝑊 = 𝐹𝑠
θ F θ θ
 Try This
When you push a lawn mower, you are really applying a
force down the angled handle bar as shown in this picture
F
30°
How much work do you do when you push a
lawn mower 20 m with a force of 200 N
directed at an angle of 30° with the ground?

𝑊 = 𝐹𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 200 20 cos 30° = 𝟑𝟒𝟔𝟒 𝐉

 Work-Energy Theorem
If energy is truly conserved, how can things ever start or stop moving?
Energy is still conserved (not created or destroyed), it’s just being transferred in or out of
the system/object that we are studying (gained or lost)
 Work-Energy Theorem
Your engine applies 1000 N of force over a distance of 50 m. If
you started from rest and your car has a mass of 2000 kg, how
fast are you moving after travelling that distance?

Initial Energy Final Energy

𝟎𝐉 𝟓𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐉
1 2
Work 2
(2000)𝑣 = 50,000
𝐹𝑠 = 1000 50
𝒗 = 𝟕. 𝟎𝟕 𝒎 𝒔−𝟏
𝑾 = 𝟓𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐉
 Try This
A 75 kg skateboarder kicks off with an initial
velocity of 2 m s-1 and comes to a stop after
15 m. What is the force of friction?

Initial Energy Final Energy

1
2
𝑚𝑣 2
= 12(75)(2)2 𝟎𝐉
𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝐉
Work 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝐉 = 𝐹𝑠 = 𝐹(15)
𝑭 = 𝟏𝟎 𝐍
 Think about it…
Is a waiter carrying a heavy tray of food at a constant
velocity across a room doing any work on the tray?

No, the force is not

force
in the same direction
as the displacement displacement

Doesn’t change the tray’s ENERGY

 Think about it…
A particle of mass m is moving with constant speed v
in uniform circular motion. What is the total work
done by the centripetal force during one revolution? s
A. Zero
B. mv2/2
C. mv2 F
D. 2πmv2

Is the earth’s gravity doing

any work on the moon? No
 Think about it…
Two physics students, Maria and Paige, are going from the first floor to
the second floor on their way to their next class.
• Maria walks up the 3 meter tall staircase in 15 seconds
• Paige runs up the 3 meter tall staircase in 5 seconds

If they both have a mass of 60 kg, which

student does the most work?

Same
Work only depends on force and distance
 What is Power?

Power is the rate at which

work is done.

(how much work is done in a

given amount of time)
 How do you Calculate Power

Power = Work / Time

P W t
Symbols

= /

[W] = [J] / [s]

Units
 Say Watt?!?
Common Appliances Estimated Watts We will be
Blender 300-1000 looking at
Microwave 1000-2000 power again
Waffle Iron 600-1500 this year when
Toaster 800-1500
we discuss
Hair Dryer 1000-1875
TV 32" LED/LCD 50
electricity…
TV 42" Plasma 240
Blu-Ray or DVD Player 15
Video Game Console
40-140
(Xbox / PS4 / Wii)
 Lesson Takeaways
❑ I can define and calculate the property of work
❑ I can calculate work when the force is at an angle to the
direction of the motion
❑ I can equate work done on a system to the change in
energy of an open system
❑ I can use the work-energy theorem to solve for an
unknown
❑ I can identify situations where there is motion but no
work being done
Elastic Potential Energy
IB PHYSICS | ENERGY & MOMENTUM
 Velocity (m/s)
Calculating from a Graph

Velocity (m/s)
Slope
Area
Time (s) Time (s)

𝒙 𝒚 = 𝑽𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆
∆𝒚 𝑽𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒎/𝒔 𝒎
= = = ൗ 𝟐 𝒎
∆𝒙 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒔 𝒔 = 𝒔 =𝒎
𝒔
Acceleration Displacement
Graph of Force vs Displacement

40 N
Motion

2m 𝑊 = 𝐹𝑠 8m

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = (6 m)(40 N)
40 N = 240 Nm
6m
= 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝐉
 Work of a Varying Force
Our definition of work applies
only for a constant force or an
average force.

W = Fs cosθ
F

What if the force varies with F

displacement as with stretching
a spring or rubber band?
F
What about a Varying Force?

Click here for the simulation

 Work of a Varying Force
How can you calculate the work?
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2
(10 m)(40 N)
= 200 J

40 N

10 m
 Work of a Varying Force
What work is required to stretch this
spring from x = 0 to x = 6 m?

6m
F

1
40 N 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 2
(6 m)(40 N)
6m
= 120 J
Elastic Potential Energy
As the pull back distance
increases elastic potential
increases
energy ______________
 Hooke’s Law

F = kΔx
*The spring constant k is a
property of the spring
Δx
k → [N m-1] F

When a spring is stretched, there is a restoring F

force that is proportional to the displacement.
 Try this…
A block with a mass of 2 kg is suspended from
a spring and produces the displacement 1m
2m
shown. What is the spring constant? 3m
4m
5m

𝐹 = 𝑘∆𝑥 6m
7m
8m
∆𝑥 = 4 m
(19.62 N) = 𝑘(4 m)
2 kg
−𝟏
𝒌 = 𝟒. 𝟗 𝐍𝐦 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔 = (2)(9.81)
𝐹𝑔 = 19.62 N
 Work and Energy

Work done on a system causes the

system to gain or lose energy
Stretching or compressing
a spring stores energy
 Work of a Varying Force
Now that we know that F = kΔx, we can calculate the
stored elastic potential energy with the work equation

𝐹 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 𝐹𝑠
1 1
2
𝐹 = 𝐹 𝑠
Average Force
2
1
= 2
𝑘∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
Elastic
Potential
= 𝟏𝟐𝒌∆𝒙𝟐
 Elastic Force and Work

F = kΔx

x Ep = ½kΔx2
F *The spring constant k is
a property of the spring
Data Booklet

velocity KE
elastic PEe
gravity PEg
 Conservation of Energy
PEg
How far up the 15° incline of a pinball table will a
0.1 kg pinball move after it is launched? The spring PEe h

constant is 100 N/m and is compressed by 0.08 m.

𝐾𝐸 + 𝑃𝐸𝑒 + 𝑃𝐸𝑔 = 𝐾𝐸 + 𝑃𝐸𝑒 + 𝑃𝐸𝑔

1 2 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
2𝑘∆𝑥
1 2 = (0.1)(9.81)(ℎ)
2
(100)(0.08)

h = 0.33 𝑚
 Try this…
What work is required to stretch this spring
(k = 200 N m-1) from Δx = 0.1 m to Δx = 0.4 m?

𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 F
1 2 = 1 200 0.1 2 =1J
2
𝑘∆𝑥 2
1
15 J F
𝑘∆𝑥 2 1 2
2 = 2(200) 0.4 = 16 J Added to the
system through
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 work on spring

𝑾 = 𝟏𝟓 𝐉
 Try this…
What work is required to stretch this spring
(k = 200 N m-1) from Δx = 0.1 m to Δx = 0.4 m?
Why not just use the stretch change?
1
2
𝑘∆𝑥 2 = 12 200 0.3 2 =9J F

F
The force isn’t
100

80 15 J
Force (N)

60

40 9J
starting at zero!
20

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3
Distance (m)
0.4
𝑾 = 𝟏𝟓 𝐉
 Example IB Question
An increasing force acts on a metal wire and the wire extends from
an initial length l0 to a new length l. The graph shows the variation
of force with length for the wire. The energy required to extend the
wire from l0 to l is E. The wire then contracts to half its original
extension. What is the work done by the wire as it contracts?

A. 0.25E
E – Enew
B. 0.50E E
E – 0.25E
C. 0.75E Enew
D. E 0.75E
 Lesson Takeaways
❑ I can calculate work as area bounded by a Force vs
Distance graph
❑ I can use Hooke’s Law to calculate the elastic force at a
given displacement
❑ I can describe and calculate elastic potential energy
Conservation of
Momentum
IB PHYSICS | ENERGY & MOMENTUM
What is Momentum??

“Inertia in Motion”
 Which has more Momentum??

20000 kg

10 m/s
2 kg

Why?
More mass 10 m/s
 Which has more Momentum??
2 kg

35 m/s
2 kg

Why?
More velocity 10 m/s
 Momentum Equation

Momentum = mass × velocity

p m v
Symbols

= ×

kg m s -1 = kg × m s-1
Units
IB Physics Data Booklet
 Conservation of Momentum
The total momentum of a system is constant

“Explosion” “Hit and Bounce” “Hit and Stick”

 Newton’s Third Law
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
 Conservation of Momentum
When a cannonball is
fired out of a cannon,
there is a recoil…

Equal and Opposite…

More mass → Less velocity
Less mass → More velocity
 Explosion
80 kg 80 kg

10 m s-1
8 kg 8 kg
v
ρ = mv
= (8)(10)
= 80 kg m s-1
mv = mv
(80)(v) = (8)(10)
v = 1 m s-1
 Hit and Bounce #1
10 m s-1 0 m s-1 Before After
8 kg 2 kg
(8)(10) + (2)(0) = (8)(2) + (2)(v)

80 + 0 = 16 + 2v

v = 32 m s-1

2 m s-1 v
8 kg 2 kg
 Hit and Bounce #2
Before After
(12)(8) + (18)(-4) = (12)(-5.5) + (18)(v)
96 + -72 = -66 + 18v
v = 5 m s-1
8 m s-1 -4 m s-1 -5.5 m s-1 v

12 kg 18 kg 12 kg 18 kg

Before After
 Hit and Stick
Before After
(12)(4) + (18)(0) = (30)(v)
96 + 0 = 30v
v = 1.6 m s-1
4 m s-1 0 m s-1
v
12 kg 18 kg 30 18
12 kg kgkg
Before After
 Elastic vs Inelastic
Elastic Inelastic

Kinetic Energy Kinetic Energy

is conserved is not conserved
In both cases momentum is ALWAYS conserved
 Try This…
A toy railcar of mass 2 kg travelling at 6 m s-1 collides with another railcar of mass
3 kg travelling at 4 m s-1 in the same direction. If after the collision the two trucks
become joined together, what is their resulting velocity?

Before After
(2)(6) + (3)(4) = (2 + 3)(𝑣)
𝒗 = 𝟒. 𝟖 𝒎 𝒔−𝟏
12 + 12 = 5𝑣

Compare the total Kinetic Energy before and after:

Before After
1 2+1 2 1 2 System loses 2.4 J of
2 2 6 3 4
2 2 2 + 3 4.8 Kinetic Energy so it is
36 + 24 𝟓𝟕. 𝟔 𝐉 an inelastic collision
𝟔𝟎 𝐉
 Lesson Takeaways
❑ I can define and calculate momentum
❑ I can use the conservation of momentum to solve for
missing variables in linear collisions
❑ I can describe the process required for explosion, hit and
bounce, and hit and stick scenarios
❑ I can describe the difference between elastic and non-
elastic collisions
❑ I can calculate the amount of energy retained in a non-
elastic collision
Impulse
IB PHYSICS | ENERGY & MOMENTUM
IB Physics Data Booklet
 Remember Work?
Work = Force × Distance
2,000 kg
5,000 N

0 m s-1 v=?
100 m
Initial Energy = 0 J
Work = (5,000 N)(100 m) = 500,000 J Energy added to system

Final Energy = 500,000 J = ½mv2 = ½(2,000 kg)v2

Final Velocity = v = 22.36 m s-1
 Introducing Impulse
Time
Impulse = Force × _________ 8.94 s

2,000 kg
5,000 N

0 m s-1 v=?
100 m
Initial Momentum = 0 kg m s-1
Impulse = (5,000 N)(8.94 s) = 44,700 kg m s-1 Momentum added to system

Final Momentum = 44,700 kg m s-1 = mv = (2,000 kg)v

Final Velocity = v = 22.35 m s-1
 Impulse
Work → Change in Energy
Momentum
Impulse → Change in ____________

What about Units? [N] = [kg][m s-2]

Impulse = F × t = [N][s] = [kg][m s-2][s]
Impulse = [N s] or [kg m s-1]*
*same unit as momentum
IB Physics Data Booklet

Same equation
 Impulse and Momentum
Impulse can act to increase or
decrease an object’s momentum
Final Velocity Initial Velocity Initial Velocity
0 𝑚/𝑠 0 𝑚/𝑠 0 𝑚/𝑠
How are these the same? different?

5 kg

5 kg
Impulse → Slowing Down
How can we decrease the
force acting on an object?
 Impulse and Momentum
𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹∆𝑡 = ∆𝑝
Short Time
Large Force
F × Δt
Same Mass
F × Δt = F × Δt
Same Impulse
Same Momentum

Long Time
Small Force F × Δt
 Impulse to Speed Up
Should a cannon have a long or
short barrel to produce to largest
final velocity? Why?

Both designs will experience the same force but the

long barrel experiences that force for more time and
creates a larger impulse / change in momentum
Marshmallow Shooter
 Marshmallow Shooter
𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹∆𝑡 = ∆𝑝 = 𝑚∆𝑣
v Same Force
Same Mass

More Time → More Velocity

 What if the force isn’t constant?
Remember how we found
13 work done by a varying force?
Area = (y-axis)(x-axis)
12
11 Impulse = (force)(time)
10 Impulse = Ft
9
8
Force (N)

7
6
5 Area = (y-axis)(x-axis)
4 Work = (force)(displacement)
3
2 ½(8)(10) = 40 N s W = Fs
1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (s)
 Which impulse is larger?

Same
13
12
11
10 ½(12)(4) = 24 N s Twice the time
9
8 Half the force
Force (N)

7
6
5
4
3
½(6)(8) = 24 N s
2
1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (s)
The force matters!

Increase time to decrease force

below a dangerous threshold
 Lesson Takeaways
❑ I can describe the meaning of impulse and how it is
related to momentum change
❑ I can conceptually describe how to decrease the force
experienced in a collision
❑ I can determine the impulse of a collision from a force vs
time graph
Impulse & Momentum
Calculations
IB PHYSICS | ENERGY & MOMENTUM
 Impulse Review
Work → Change in Energy
Impulse → Change in Momentum

𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹∆𝑡 = ∆𝑝
 Impulse Slowing Down

Short Time
Large Force F × Δt

Same Mass
Same Momentum Same Impulse

Long Time
Small Force F × Δt
 Marshmallow Shooter
𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹∆𝑡 = ∆𝑝 = 𝑚∆𝑣
v Same Force
Same Mass

More Time → More Velocity

 Slapshot!
A hockey puck has a mass of 0.115 kg. A player
takes a slap shot which exerts a force of 31.0 N for
0.15 sec. How fast will the puck be moving?
Initial Impulse Added Final
Momentum Momentum

Initial Momentum = 0 kg m s-1

Impulse = FΔt = (31 N)(0.15 s) = 4.65 kg m s-1
Final Momentum = 4.65 kg m s-1 = mv = (0.115 kg)v

Final Velocity = v = 40.4 m s-1

 Impulse and Momentum
The 440 newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of India's Mars Orbiter Spacecraft, was successfully fired
for a duration of 3.968 seconds on September 22, 2014. This operation of the spacecraft's main liquid
engine was also used for the spacecraft's trajectory correction and changed its velocity by 2.18 m s -1.
What was the mass of the spacecraft at the time of this engine firing?

Initial Impulse Added Final Impulse = FΔt = Δp

Momentum Momentum

Impulse = FΔt = (440 N)(3.968 s) = 1746 kg m s-1

Change in Momentum = 1746 kg m s-1 = (m)(Δv)

1746 kg m s-1 = (m)(2.18)

m = 801 kg
 Direction Matters
u -30 m s-1 Assume u is 30 m s-1 to the left
and v is 10 m s-1 to the right.
10 m s-1
v What is the change in velocity?

Change in Velocity = 40 m s-1

 Try This…
A 500 g baseball moves to the left at 20 m s-1 striking a bat.
The bat is in contact with the ball for 0.002 s, and it leaves
in the opposite direction at 40 m s-1. What was average
force on ball?
Initial Momentum Final Momentum
Impulse
p = (0.5)(-20) Added p = (0.5)(40)
-10 kg m s-1 Δp 20 kg m s-1
30 kg m s-1
20 m s-1
Impulse = FΔt = Δp

m = 0.5 kg Impulse = F(0.002 s) = 30 kg m s-1

F = 15,000 N
 Impulse from a Graph
A hamster’s rocket (0.5 kg) has a variable force as shown in the graph.
13
12 What is the final velocity after 10 seconds if it starts from rest?
11 Impulse
Added
10 Initial Final
Momentum Momentum
9
40
8 0 40
Force (N)

7
6
5
4
p = mv
3 40 = (0.5)v
2 ½(8)(10) = 40 N s
1
v = 80 m/s
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (s)
 Try This…
Kara Less was applying her makeup when she drove into South's busy parking lot last Friday
morning. Unaware that Lisa Ford was stopped in her lane, Kara rear-ended Lisa's rental car.
Kara's 1300-kg car was moving at 5 m s-1 and stopped in 0.4 seconds. What was the force?

Initial Impulse Final

Momentum Decreases Momentum Momentum

Initial Momentum = mv = (1,300)(5) = 6,500 kg m s-1

Final Momentum = 0 kg m s-1

Impulse = 6,500 kg m s-1 = (F)(0.4 s)

Force = F = 16,250 N
 Lesson Takeaways
❑ I can use impulse and momentum to solve for an
unknown force
❑ I can use impulse and momentum to solve for an
unknown velocity
❑ I can calculate the change in velocity when there is a
direction change
❑ I can calculate change in momentum from a Force vs
Time graph