11 Potential energy

AQA
Topic
P2.3
Work and energy Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object because of
the height it has been lifted to, against the force of gravity.
Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in an elastic object, when work
has been done on the object to change its shape (eg. a catapult).
ThinkAbout:
1. A moving object has movement energy, 3. Energy can be . . . . from one form to . . . .
also called . . . . energy. 4. A falling object is . . . . energy from . . . . Kinetic energy (movement energy) Kinetic energy is
2. When an object is lifted to a higher place, potential energy to . . . . energy. Kinetic energy can be transformed into other forms of Example:
transformed to:
it is given . . . . potential . . . . 5. A stretched catapult has . . . . potential . . . . energy, as shown in the table:
a car braking heat in brakes + tyres
a wind turbine electricity, heat, sound
roller-coaster car, gravitational
Work and energy going up a ramp potential energy, heat
work done = energy transferred
When a force moves an object, bullet fired into wood heat
energy is transferred and work is done. In fact : (joules, J) (joules, J) An object has more kinetic energy,
space-shuttle,
• the greater its mass, and re-entering atmosphere
heat

To calculate the work done (energy transferred) :

• the greater its speed.
H
work done = force applied × distance moved in the direction of the force The formula for kinetic energy is :
(joules, J) (newtons, N) (metres, m)

Example 1 kinetic energy = ½ × mass × speed2

(joules, J) (kilogram, kg) (m/s)2
How much energy is transferred if a force
of 2 N moves through a distance of 10 m ?
Example 3
Gravitational potential energy work done = force × distance moved A car of mass 800 kg is travelling at 10 m/s.
When an object is lifted up, work is done = 2 N × 10 m How much kinetic energy has it got?
against the force of gravity, its weight. = 20 joules (20 J)
kinetic energy = ½ × mass × speed2
It follows (from the equations above) that: ∴energy transferred = work done = 20 J
= ½ × 800 kg × (10 m/s)2
change in = weight × change in = ½ × 800 kg × 100 m2/s2
gravitational vertical
= 40 000 joules (40 kJ)
potential energy height
(joules, J) (newtons, N) (metre, m)

Example 2 Example 4
A man lifts up a brick of mass 5 kg from the floor For the car in Example 3 above,
to a shelf 2 metres high. a) How much work must be done to stop it?
What is the change in gravitational potential energy of the brick? b) When the brakes are applied, it comes to rest in 8 m. Take care:
What is the average force exerted by the brakes?
Step 1 : Find the weight first (see Topic 10).
a) To stop the car,
• Remember
weight = mass × gravitational field strength work done = energy transferred = 40 000 joules
work done
against frictional
= 5 kg × 10 N/kg = 50 N This energy will be transferred to heat in the brakes/tyres. forces is transferred
Step 2 : mainly as heat.
b) From the opposite page :
change in = weight × change in
•
gravitational potential energy vertical height work done = force × distance moved In calculations,
40 000 J = force × 8 m always show your
= 50 N × 2m = 100 joules
∴ force = 5000 newtons working ...so you
may then get some
marks even if the
Answers:
5. elastic, energy 4. transferring, gravitational, kinetic
final answer is wrong.
3. transferred/transformed/changed, another 1. kinetic 2. gravitational, energy More details in Physics for You, pages 97–99, 11, 109.

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