AS LEVEL

5 Work, energy and power

5.1 Energy conservation

Learning outcomes
By the end of this topic, you will be able to: 6 solve problems using the relationships
P = W/t
5.1 Energy conservation
7 derive P = Fv and use it to solve problems
1 understand the concept of work, and recall
and use work done = force × displacement in 5.2 Gravitational potential energy and kinetic
the direction of the force energy
2 recall and apply the principle of conservation 1 derive, using W = Fs, the formula ΔEp = mgΔh
of energy for gravitational potential energy changes in
3 recall and understand that the efficiency of a uniform gravitational field
a system is the ratio of useful energy output 2 recall and use the formula ΔEp = mgΔh for
from the system to the total energy input gravitational potential energy changes in a
4 use the concept of efficiency to solve uniform gravitational field
problems 3 derive, using the equations of motion, the
5 define power as work done per unit time formula for kinetic energy Ek = 12 mv2
1
4 recall and use Ek = 2 mv2

Starting points
★ Know that there are various forms of energy.
★ Understand that energy can be converted from one form to another.
★ Machines enable us to do useful work by converting energy from one form to
another.

5.1 Energy conservation

Work
I’m going to work today.’
‘Where do you work?’
‘I’ve done some work in the garden.’
‘Lots of work was done lifting the box.’
‘I’ve done my homework.’
The words ‘work’, ‘energy’ and ‘power’ are in use in everyday English language but
they have a variety of meanings. In physics, they have very precise meanings. The
word work has a definite interpretation. The vagueness of the term ‘work’ in everyday
speech causes problems for some students when they come to give a precise scientific
definition of work.

Work is done when a force moves the point at which it acts (the point of
application) in the direction of the force.
work done = force × displacement in the direction of the force

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 It is very important to include direction in the definition of work done. A car can be
pushed horizontally quite easily but, if the car is to be lifted off its wheels, much more
5 work has to be done and a machine, such as a car-jack, is used.
When a force moves its point of application in the direction of the force, the force does
work and the work done by the force is said to be positive. Conversely, if the direction of
the force is opposite to the direction of movement, work is done on the force. This work
done then said to be negative. This is illustrated in Figure 5.2. final position
initialisposition
▲ Figure 5.1 The weight-
lifter uses a lot of initial position
of force final
of position
force
energy to lift the
5 Work, energy and power

weights but they can be direction of movement

of force of the force of force
rolled along the ground
with little effort. direction of movement
work is of the by
done force
the force

work is done by the force

final position initial position

final
of position
force initial
of position
force
direction of movement
of force of the force of force
direction of movement
work isofdone
the force
on the force

▲ Figure 5.2 work is done on the force

The term displacement represents the distance moved in a particular direction.

Displacement is a vector quantity, as is force. However, work done has no direction, only
magnitude (size), and is a scalar quantity. It is measured in joules (J).

When a force of one newton moves its point of application by one metre in the
▲ Figure 5.3 The useful direction of the force, one joule of work is done.
work done by the small
tug-boat is found using work done in joules
the component of the = force in newtons × distance moved in metres in the direction of the force
tension in the rope
It follows that a joule (J) may be said to be a newton-metre (N m). If the force and the
along the direction of
motion of the ship. displacement are not both in the same direction, then the component of the force in the
direction of the displacement must be found by resolving (see Topic 1.4).
x
Consider a force F acting along a line at an angle θ to the displacement, as shown in
q Figure 5.4. The component of the force along the direction of the displacement is F cos θ.
work done for displacement x = F cos θ × x
F = Fx cos θ
Note that the component F sin θ of the force is at right angles to the displacement. Since there
▲ Figure 5.4 is no displacement in the direction of this component, no work is done in that direction.

WORKED EXAMPLE 5A

A child tows a toy by means of 1.5 N

Answer
a string as shown in Figure 5.5.
work done = horizontal component of tension ×
The tension in the string is 1.5 N 25°
distance moved
and the string makes an angle of
25° with the horizontal. = 1.5 cos 25° × 265 × 10 –2
Calculate the work done in ▲ Figure 5.5 = 3.6 J
moving the toy horizontally
through a distance of 265 cm.

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 Questions 1 A box weighs 45 N. Calculate the work done in lifting the box through a vertical
height of: 5
a 4.0 m
b 67 cm.
2 A force of 36 N acts at an angle of 55° to the vertical. The force moves its point of
application by 64 cm in the direction of the force. Calculate the work done by:
a the horizontal component of the force
b the vertical component of the force.

5.1 Energy conservation

Energy
In order to wind up a spring, work has to be done because a force must be moved
through a distance. When the spring is released, it can do work; for example, making a
child’s toy move. When the spring is wound, it stores the ability to do work. Anything
that is able to do work is said to have energy.

An object that can do work must have energy.

An object with no energy is unable to do work. Energy and work are both scalars.
Since work done is measured in joules (J), energy is also measured in joules. Table 5.1
lists some typical values of energy rounded to the nearest order of magnitude.

energy/J
radioactive decay of a nucleus 10–13
▲ Figure 5.6 The spring
stores energy as it is sound of speech on ear for 1 second 10–8
stretched, releasing the moonlight on face for 1 second 10–3
energy as it returns to
its original shape.
beat of the heart 1
burning a match 103
large cream cake 106
energy released from 100 kg of coal 1010
earthquake 1019
energy received on Earth from the Sun in one year 1025
rotational energy of the Milky Way galaxy 1050
estimated energy of formation of the Universe 1070
▲ Table 5.1 Typical energy values

Energy conversion and conservation

Newspapers sometimes refer to a ‘global energy crisis’. In the near future, there may well be a
shortage of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are sources of chemical energy. It would be more accurate
to refer to a ‘fuel crisis’. When chemical energy is used, the energy is transformed into other
forms of energy, some of which are useful and some of which are not. Eventually, all the
chemical energy is likely to end up as energy that is no longer useful to us. For example,
when petrol is burned in a car engine, some of the chemical energy is converted into the
kinetic energy of the car and some is wasted as heat (thermal) energy. When the car stops, its
kinetic energy is converted into internal energy in the brakes. The temperature of the brakes
increases and thermal energy is released. The outcome is that the chemical energy has been
converted into thermal energy which dissipates in the atmosphere and is of no further use.
However, the total energy present in the Universe has remained constant. All energy changes
are governed by the law of conservation of energy. This law states that

Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be converted from one form to
another.
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 There are many different forms of energy and you will meet a number of these during your
Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics studies. Some of the more common forms
5 are listed in Table 5.2.

energy notes
gravitational potential energy energy due to position of a mass in a gravitational field
kinetic energy energy due to motion
elastic potential energy energy stored due to stretching or compressing an object
5 Work, energy and power

electric potential energy energy due to the position of a charge in an electric field
electromagnetic radiation energy associated with waves in the electromagnetic
spectrum
solar energy electromagnetic radiation from the Sun
internal energy random kinetic and potential energy of the molecules in
an object
chemical energy energy released during chemical reactions
thermal energy energy transferred due to temperature difference
(sometimes called heat energy)
▲ Table 5.2 Forms of energy

WORKED EXAMPLE 5B
Map out the energy changes taking place when a battery is connected to a lamp.

Answer
Chemical energy in battery → energy transferred by current in wires →
light energy and internal energy of the lamp

Question 3 Map out the following energy changes:

a a child swinging on a swing
b an aerosol can producing hairspray
c a lump of clay thrown into the air which subsequently hits the ground.

Efficiency
Machines are used to change energy from one form into some other more useful form.
In most energy changes some energy is ‘lost’ as heat (thermal) energy. For example,
when a ball rolls down a slope, the total change in gravitational potential energy is not
equal to the gain in kinetic energy because heat (thermal) energy has been produced as a
result of frictional forces.
Efficiency gives a measure of how much of the total energy may be considered useful
and is not ‘lost’.
useful energy output
efficiency = total energy input

Efficiency may be given either as a ratio or as a percentage. Since energy cannot be

created, efficiency can never be greater than 100% and a ‘perpetual motion’ machine is
not possible (Figure 5.7).

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 5

5.1 Energy conservation

▲ Figure 5.7 An attempt to design a machine to get something for
nothing by breaking the law of conservation of energy

WORKED EXAMPLE 5C
A man lifts a weight of 480 N through a vertical distance of 3.5 m using a rope and
some pulleys. The man pulls on the rope with a force of 200 N and a length of 10.5 m
of rope passes through his hands. Calculate the efficiency of the pulley system.
Answer
work done by man = force × distance moved (in direction of the force)
= 200 × 10.5
= 2100 J
work done lifting load = 480 × 3.5
= 1680 J
Since energy is the ability to do work and from the definition of efficiency,
efficiency = work got out/work put in
= 1680/2100
= 0.80 or 80%

Questions 4 An electric heater transfers energy from the mains supply into thermal energy.
Suggest why this process may be 100% efficient.
5 The electric motor of an elevator (lift) uses 630  kJ of energy when raising the elevator
and passengers, of total weight 12 500 N, through a vertical height of 29 m. Calculate
the efficiency of the elevator.

Power
Machines such as wind turbines or engines do work for us when they change energy
into a useful form. However, not only is the availability of useful forms of energy
important, but also the rate at which it can be converted from one form to another.
The rate of converting energy or using energy is known as power.
We have seen that energy is the ability to do work. Consider a family car and a Grand
Prix racing car which both contain the same amount of fuel. They are capable of doing
the same amount of work, but the racing car is able to travel much faster. This is because
the engine of the racing car can convert the chemical energy of the fuel into useful
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 energy at a much faster rate. The engine is said to be more powerful. Power is the rate of
doing work. Power is given by the formula
5 work done
power =
time taken

The unit of power is the watt (symbol W) and is equal to a rate of working of 1 joule
per second. This means that a light bulb of power 1 W will convert 1 J of energy to other
forms of energy (e.g. light and heat) every second. Table 5.3 gives some values of power
rounded to the nearest order of magnitude.
5 Work, energy and power

power/W
power to operate a small calculator 10–6
light power from a torch 10–3
loudspeaker output 10
manual labourer working continuously 100
water buffalo working continuously 103
hair dryer 103
motor car engine 104
electric train 106
electricity generating station output 109
▲ Table 5.3 Values of power
Power, like energy, is a scalar quantity.
Care must be taken when referring to power. It is common in everyday language to say that
a strong person is ‘powerful’. In physics, strength, or force, and power are not the same. Large
forces may be exerted without any movement and thus no work is done and the power is zero!
For example, a large rock resting on the ground is not moving, yet it is exerting a large force.
Consider a force F which moves a distance x at constant velocity v in the direction of the
force, in time t. The work done W by the force is given by
W = Fx
Dividing both sides of this equation by time t gives
W/t = F(x/t)
Now, W/t is the rate of doing work, i.e. the power P and x/t = v. Hence,

P = Fv
power = force × velocity

WORKED EXAMPLE 5D
A small electric motor is used to lift a weight of 1.5 N through a vertical distance of
120 cm in 2.7 s. Calculate the useful power output of the motor.

Answer
work done = force × displacement in the direction of the force
= 1.5 × 1.2 (the displacement must be in metres)
= 1.8 J
work done
power =
time taken
= (1.8/2.7)
= 0.67 W

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 Questions 6 Calculate the amount of energy converted into thermal energy when an electric fire,
rated at 2.4 kW, is left switched on for a time of 3.0 minutes.
7 The output power of the electric motors of a train is 3.6 MW when the train is
5
travelling at 30 m s –1. Calculate the total force opposing the motion of the train.
8 A boy of mass 60 kg runs up a flight of steps in a time of 1.8 s. There are 22 steps and
each one is of height 20 cm. Calculate the useful power developed in the boy’s legs.
(Take the acceleration of free fall as 9.81 m s –2.)

5.2 Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy

5.2 Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Gravitational potential energy
Potential energy is the ability of an object to do work as a result of its position or
shape.

We have already seen that a wound-up spring stores energy. This energy is potential
energy because the spring is strained. More specifically, the energy may be called elastic
(or strain) potential energy (see Topic 6.2). Elastic potential energy is stored in objects
which have had their shape changed elastically. Examples include stretched wires and
twisted elastic bands.
Newton’s law of gravitation (see Topic 13.2) tells us that all masses attract one another.
We rely on the force of gravity to keep us on Earth! When two masses are pulled apart,
work is done on them and so they gain gravitational potential energy. If the masses
move closer together, they lose gravitational potential energy.

Gravitational potential energy is energy possessed by a mass due to its position in

a gravitational field.

Changes in gravitational potential energy are of particular importance for an

object near to the Earth’s surface because we frequently do work raising masses
and, conversely, the energy stored is released when the mass is lowered again.
The gravitational field near the surface of the Earth is taken to be uniform and so the
▲ Figure 5.8 The cars on acceleration of free fall g has a constant value, 9.81 m s –2. An object of mass m near the
the rollercoaster have Earth’s surface has weight mg (see Topic 3.1). This weight is the force with which the
stored gravitational Earth attracts the mass (and the mass attracts the Earth). If the mass moves a vertical
potential energy. This distance h,
energy is released as
the cars fall. work done = Fs
= force × displacement in the direction of the force
= mgh
When the mass is raised, the work done is stored as gravitational potential energy and
this energy can be recovered when the mass falls.
Change in gravitational potential energy ΔEp = mgΔh

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 It is important to remember that, for the energy to be measured in joules, the mass m
must be in kilograms, the acceleration of free fall g in metres (second) –2 and the change
5 in height Δh in metres.
Notice that a zero point of gravitational potential energy has not been stated. We are
concerned with changes in potential energy when a mass rises or falls.

WORKED EXAMPLE 5E
1 Map out the energy changes taking place when an object moves from its lowest
5 Work, energy and power

point to its highest point on the end of a vertical spring after the spring is
stretched.
2 A shop assistant stacks a shelf with 25 tins of beans, each of mass 472 g
(Figure 5.9). Each tin has to be raised through a distance of 1.8 m. Calculate
the gravitational potential energy gained by the tins of beans, given that the
acceleration of free fall is 9.81 m s –2.

1.8 m

▲ Figure 5.9

Answers
1 (maximum) elastic potential energy in stretched spring → gravitational potential
energy and kinetic energy and (reduced) elastic potential energy of object (as it
moves up) → (maximum) gravitational potential energy (zero kinetic energy )
and elastic potential energy in the compressed spring at its highest point
2 total mass raised = 25 × 472 = 11 800 g
= 11.8 kg
increase in potential energy = m × g × h
= 11.8 × 9.81 × 1.8
= 210 J (to 2 significant figures)

Question
9 The acceleration of free fall is 9.81 m s –2. Calculate the change in gravitational
potential energy when:
a a person of mass 70 kg climbs a cliff of height 19 m
b a book of mass 940 g is raised vertically through a distance of 130 cm
c an aircraft of total mass 2.5 × 105 kg descends by 980 m.

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 Kinetic energy
As an object falls, it loses gravitational potential energy and, in so doing, it speeds up.
Energy is associated with a moving object. In fact, we know that a moving object can be 5
made to do work as it slows down. For example, a moving hammer hits a nail and, as it
stops, does work to drive the nail into a piece of wood.
Kinetic energy is energy due to motion.

Consider an object of mass m moving with a constant acceleration a. In a distance s,

the object accelerates from velocity u to velocity v. Then, by referring to the equations of

5.2 Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy

motion (see Topic 2),
v2 = u2 + 2as
By Newton’s law (see Topic 3), the force F giving rise to the acceleration a is given by
F = ma
Combining these two equations,
v2 = u2 + 2(F/m)s
Re-arranging,
mv2 = mu2 + 2Fs
2Fs = mv2 – mu2
Fs = 12 mv2 – 12 mu2

By definition, the term Fs is the work done by the force moving a distance s. Therefore,
1 1
since Fs represents work done, then the other terms in the equation, 2 mv2 and 2 mu2,
must also have the units of work done, or energy (see Topic 1). The magnitude of each of
1 1
these terms depends on velocity squared and so 2 mv2 and 2 mu2 are terms representing
energy which depends on velocity (or speed).
1
The kinetic energy Ek of an object of mass m moving with speed v is given by Ek = 2 mv2.

For the kinetic energy to be in joules, mass must be in kilograms and speed in metres
per second.
1
The full name for the term Ek = 2 mv2 is translational kinetic energy because it is energy
due to an object moving in a straight line. It should be remembered that rotating objects
also have kinetic energy and this form of energy is known as rotational kinetic energy.

WORKED EXAMPLE 5F
Calculate the kinetic energy of a car of mass 900 kg moving at a speed of 20 m s –1.
State the form of energy from which the kinetic energy is derived.

Answer
1
kinetic energy = 2 mv2
1
= 2 × 900 × 202
▲ Figure 5.10 When the
mass falls, it gains = 1.8 × 105 J
kinetic energy and drives This energy is derived from the chemical energy of the fuel.
the pile into the ground.

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 Questions 10 Calculate the kinetic energy of a car of mass 800 kg moving at 100 kilometres per hour.
5 11 A cycle and cyclist have a combined mass of 80 kg and are moving at 5.0 m s –1.
Calculate:
a the kinetic energy of the cycle and cyclist
b the increase in kinetic energy for an increase in speed of 5.0 m s –1.

SUMMARY
5 Work, energy and power

» When a force moves its point of application in the » Power = force × velocity
direction of the force, work is done. » Potential energy is the energy stored in an object
» Work done = Fx cos θ, where θ is the angle between due to its position or shape; examples are elastic
the direction of the force F and the displacement x. potential energy and gravitational potential energy.
» Energy is needed to do work; energy is the ability » When an object of mass m moves vertically through
to do work. a distance Δh in a uniform gravitational field, then the
» Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only change in gravitational potential energy is given by:
be converted from one form to another. ΔEp = mgΔh where g is the acceleration of free fall.
» Efficiency = useful energy output/total energy input » Kinetic energy is the energy stored in an object
» Power is defined as the rate of doing work or work due to its motion.
done per unit time: » For an object of mass m moving with speed v, the
1
power = work done/time taken, P = W/t. kinetic energy is given by: Ek = 2 mv2 .
» The unit of power is the watt (W).
1 watt = 1 joule per second

END OF TOPIC QUESTIONS

x 1 A force F moves its point of application by a distance x in a direction making an
angle θ with the direction of the force, as shown in Fig. 5.11.
q
The force does an amount W of work. Copy and complete the following table.
F F/N x/m θ/° W/J
15 6.0 0
▲ Figure 5.11
15 6.0 90
15 6.0 30
46 23 6.4
2.4 × 103 1.6 × 102 3.1 × 105
2.8 13 7.1 × 103
2 An elastic band is stretched so that its length increases by 2.4 cm. The force
required to stretch the band increases linearly from 6.3 N to 9.5 N. Calculate:
a the average force required to stretch the elastic band,
b the work done in stretching the band.
3 Name each of the following types of energy:
a energy used in muscles,
b energy of water in a mountain lake,
c energy captured by a wind turbine,
d energy produced when a firework explodes,
e energy of a compressed gas.
4 A child of mass 35 kg moves down a sloping path on a skate board. The sloping
path makes an angle of 4.5° with the horizontal. The constant speed of the child
along the path is 6.5 m s–1. Calculate:
a the vertical distance through which the child moves in 1.0 s,
b the rate at which potential energy is being lost (g = 9.81 m s–2).
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 5 A stone of mass 120 g is dropped down a well. The surface of the water in the well
is 9.5 m below ground level. The acceleration of free fall of the stone is 9.81 m s–2.
Calculate, for the stone falling from ground level to the water surface: 5
a the loss of potential energy,
b its speed as it hits the water, assuming all the potential energy has been
converted into kinetic energy.
6 An aircraft of mass 3.2 × 105 kg accelerates along a runway. Calculate the change
in kinetic energy, in MJ, when the aircraft accelerates:
a from zero to 10 m s–1,

End of topic questions

b from 30 m s–1 to 40 m s–1,
c from 60 m s–1 to 70 m s–1.
7 In order to strengthen her legs, an athlete steps up on to a box and then down again
30 times per minute. The girl has mass 50 kg and the box is 35 cm high. The exercise
lasts 4.0 minutes and as a result of the exercise, her leg muscles generate 120 kJ of
heat energy. Calculate the efficiency of the leg muscles (g = 9.81 m s–2).
8 By accident, the door of a refrigerator is left open. Use the law of conservation of
path of energy to explain whether the temperature of the room will rise, stay constant or
ball fall after the refrigerator has been working for a few hours.
20 m s–1
platform
9 A ball of mass 0.50 kg is thrown vertically upwards with a speed of 20 m s–1. It is
thrown from a platform 12 m above the ground reaches a maximum height before
the ball falls to the ground, as shown in Fig. 5.12. What is the kinetic energy of the
12 m ball just as it hits the ground? Assume air resistance is negligible.
A 59 J B 100 J C 160 J D 260 J
▲ Figure 5.12 10 A car moves along a track that is in a vertical plane and follows an arc of a circle
of radius 14 m, as shown in Fig. 5.13. The car has a mass 500 kg moves past point
A with a speed of 20 m s–1. The car has a speed of 10 m s–1 at B. What is the average
resistive force acting on the car as it moves from A to B?
A 290 N B 450 N C 3400 N D 5400 N

10 m s−1
14 m
B

14 m

A 20 m s−1
▲ Figure 5.13
11 A car of mass 1500 kg moves up an incline at a constant speed, as shown in
Fig. 5.14. The incline is at 12° to the horizontal. What is the power provided by the
engine of the car for it to travel up the incline at 16 m s–1?
A 5.0 kW B 23 kW C 49 kW D 230 kW
16 m s−1

12° horizontal

▲ Figure 5.14

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 12 A car travels in a straight line at speed v along a horizontal road. The car moves
against a resistive force F given by the equation
5 F = 400 + kv2
where F is in newtons, v in m s–1 and k is a constant.
At speed v = 15 m s–1, the resistive force F is 1100 N.
a Calculate, for this car:
i the power necessary to maintain the speed of 15 m s–1,
ii the total resistive force at a speed of 30 m s–1,
iii the power required to maintain the speed of 30 m s–1.
5 Work, energy and power

b Determine the energy expended in travelling 1.2 km at a constant speed of:

i 15 m s–1,
ii 30  m s–1.
c Using your answers to part b, suggest why, during a fuel shortage, the
maximum permitted speed of cars may be reduced.
13 a Distinguish between gravitational potential energy and elastic potential
energy. [2]
b A ball of mass 65 g is thrown vertically upwards from ground level with a speed
of 16 m s–1. Air resistance is negligible.
i Calculate, for the ball:
1 the initial kinetic energy, [2]
2 the maximum height reached. [2]
ii The ball takes time t to reach maximum height. For time t/2 after the ball
has been thrown, calculate the ratio:
potential energy of ball
kinetic energy of ball  [3]
iii State and explain the effect of air resistance on the time taken for
the ball to reach maximum height. [1]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 23 Q4 Oct/Nov 2013

25 m s–1 14 a Explain what is meant by work done. [1]

b A car is travelling along a road that has a uniform downhill gradient, as shown
in Fig. 5.15.
7.5° The car has a total mass of 850 kg. The angle of the road to the horizontal
▲  Figure 5.15 is 7.5°. Calculate the component of the weight of the car down the slope. [2]
c The car in b is travelling at a constant speed of 25 m s–1. The driver then applies the
brakes to stop the car. The constant force resisting the motion of the car is 4600 N.
i Show that the deceleration of the car with the brakes applied is 4.1 m s–2. [2]
ii Calculate the distance the car travels from when the brakes are applied
until the car comes to rest. [2]
iii Calculate:
1 the loss of kinetic energy of the car, [2]
2 the work done by the resisting force of 4600 N. [1]
iv The quantities in iii part 1 and in iii part 2 are not equal. Explain why these
two quantities are not equal. [1]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 21 Q2 May/June 2011
15 A ball is thrown vertically down towards the ground with an initial velocity of
4.23 m s–1. The ball falls for a time of 1.51 s before hitting the ground. Air resistance
is negligible.
a i Show that the downwards velocity of the ball when it hits the ground is
19.0 m s–1. [2]
ii Calculate, to three significant figures, the distance the ball falls to the
ground. [2]

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 b The ball makes contact with the ground for 12.5 ms and rebounds with an
upwards velocity of 18.6 m s–1. The mass of the ball is 46.5 g.
i Calculate the average force acting on the ball on impact with the ground. [4] 5
ii Use conservation of energy to determine the maximum height the ball
reaches after it hits the ground. [2]
c State and explain whether the collision the ball makes with the ground is
elastic or inelastic. [1]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 21 Q2 May/June 2012
16 A ball is thrown vertically upwards towards a ceiling and then rebounds, as

End of topic questions

illustrated in Fig. 5.16.
ceiling

speed 3.8 m s–1 ball leaving

ceiling

ball thrown speed 9.6 m s–1

upwards

▲ Figure 5.16
The ball is thrown with speed 9.6 m s–1 and takes a time of 0.37 s to reach the
ceiling. The ball is then in contact with the ceiling for a further time of 0.085 s
until leaving it with a speed of 3.8 m s–1. The mass of the ball is 0.056 kg.
Assume that air resistance is negligible.
a Show that the ball reaches the ceiling with a speed of 6.0 m s–1. [1]
b Calculate the height of the ceiling above the point from which the ball was
thrown. [2]
c Calculate:
i the increase in gravitational potential energy of the ball for its movement
from its initial position to the ceiling, [2]
ii the decrease in kinetic energy of the ball while it is in contact with the
ceiling. [2]
d State how Newton’s third law applies to the collision between the ball and
the ceiling. [2]
e Calculate the change in momentum of the ball during the collision. [2]
f Determine the magnitude of the average force exerted by the ceiling on the
ball during the collision. [2]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 23 Q3 May/June 2018
17 a i Define power. [1]
thrust force
2.0  103 N ii State what is meant by gravitational potential energy. [1]
velocity
45 m s1 b An aircraft of mass 1200 kg climbs upwards with a constant velocity of 45 m s–1,
as shown in Fig. 5.17.
path of
aircraft The aircraft’s engine produces a thrust force of 2.0 × 103 N to move the aircraft
through the air. The rate of increase in height of the aircraft is 3.3 m s–1.
aircraft i Calculate the power produced by the thrust force. [2]
mass 1200 kg
ii Determine, for a time interval of 3.0 minutes:
▲ Figure 5.17
1 the work done by the thrust force to move the aircraft, [2]
2 the increase in gravitational potential energy of the aircraft, [2]
3 the work done against air resistance. [1]
iii Use your answer in b ii part 3 to calculate the force due to air
resistance acting on the aircraft. [1]
iv With reference to the motion of the aircraft, state and explain
whether the aircraft is in equilibrium. [2]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 21 Q3 Oct/Nov 2018

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