Chapter: Work, Power and Energy

1. When do we say that work is done?

Solution:

Work is completed whenever the given conditions are satisfied:

(i) A force acts on the body.
(ii) There’s a displacement of the body by applying force in or opposite to the
direction of the force.
2. Write an expression for the work done when a force is acting on an object in
the direction of its displacement.

Solution:

When a force F displaces a body through a distance S within the direction of the
applied force, then the work done W on the body is given by the expression:

W=F×S

3. Define 1 J of work.

Solution:

1 J is the amount of work done on an object when a force of 1 N displaces it by 1 m

along the line of action of the force.

1. What is the kinetic energy of an object?

Solution:

The energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion is termed mechanical energy
or kinetic energy. Every moving object possesses mechanical energy. A body uses
mechanical energy to try to work. The kinetic energy of the hammer is employed in
driving a nail into a log of wood, the mechanical energy of air is employed to run
wind mills, etc.

2. Write an expression for the kinetic energy of an object.

Solution:
If a body of mass m is moving with a speed v, then its K.E. Ek is given by the
expression,
Ek = 1/2 m v2
Its SI unit is Joule (J).
1. What is power?
Solution:
Power is defined as the rate of doing work or the rate of transfer of energy. If an
agent does a work W in time t, then power is given by:

P = W/T
It is expressed in watt (W).
2. Define 1 watt of power.
Solution:
A body is claimed to possess power of one watt if it works at the speed of 1 joule in 1
s.
That is,
One W = 1 J/1 S
4. Define average power.
Solution:
Average power is defined as the ratio of total work done by the body to the total time
taken by the body.

Exercises – 11.5 Page: 158

1. Look at the activities listed below. Reason out whether or not work is done
in the light of your understanding of the term ‘work’.
(a) Suma is swimming in a pond.
(b)A donkey is carrying a load on its back.
(c) A wind-mill is lifting water from a well.
(d) A green plant is carrying out photosynthesis.
(e) An engine is pulling a train.
(f) Food grains are getting dried in the sun.
(g) A sailboat is moving due to wind energy.
Solution:
Work is finished whenever the given 2 conditions are satisfied:

(i) A force acts on the body.

(ii) There’s a displacement of the body by applying force in or opposite to the

direction of the force.
(a) While swimming, Suma applies a force to push the water backwards. Therefore,
Suma swims in the forward direction caused by the forward reaction of water. Here,
the force causes a displacement. Hence, the work is done by Seema while
swimming.

(b) While carrying a load, the donkey has to apply a force in the upward direction.
But, displacement of the load is in the forward direction. Since displacement is
perpendicular to force, the work done is zero.

(c) A windmill works against gravity to elevate water. The windmill lift water by
applying a force in an upward direction, and thus the water is moving in the same
upward direction itself. Hence, work is done by the windmill to lift water from the well.

(d) No force is required when a green plant is carrying out photosynthesis. The plant
does not exert any force to move. Since there is no displacement or force. Hence, no
work is done.

(e) When an engine is pulling a train, it is applying a force in the forward direction.
So, it is moving in the forward direction. Since displacement and force are in the
same direction. Hence, work is done by the engine.

(f) There is no force involved in the process of drying food grains in the sun and the
grains do not move. Since there is no force or displacement. Hence, no work is
done.

(g) When a sailboat is moving due to wind energy, it is applying force in the forward
direction. So, it is moving in the forward direction. Since displacement and force are
in the same direction. Hence, work is done.

2. An object thrown at a certain angle to the ground moves in a curved path

and falls back to the ground. The initial and the final points of the path of the
object lie on the same horizontal line. What is the work done by the force of
gravity on the object?
Solution:
Work done by the force of gravity on an object depends solely on vertical
displacement. Vertical displacement is given by the distinction in the initial and final
positions/heights of the object which is zero.
Work done by gravity is given by the expression,
W=m×g×h
Where, h= Vertical displacement = 0, W = m g × 0 = 0 J
Hence, the work done by the gravity on the given object is zero joule.
3. A battery lights a bulb. Describe the energy changes involved in the
process.
Solution:
When a bulb is connected to a battery, then the energy of the battery is transferred
into voltage. Once the bulb receives this voltage, then it converts it into light and heat
energy. Hence, the transformation of energy in the given situation can be shown as:
Chemical Energy → Electrical Energy → Light Energy + Heat Energy.
5. A mass of 10 kg is at a point A on a table. It is moved to a point B. If the line
joining A and B is horizontal, what is the work done on the object by the
gravitational force? Explain your answer.
Solution:
Work done by gravity depends solely on the vertical displacement of the body. It
doesn’t rely on the trail of the body. Therefore, work done by gravity is given by the
expression,
W= m g h
Where,

∴ W= m × g × zero = 0
Vertical displacement, h = 0

Therefore the work done on the object by gravity is zero.

6. The potential energy of a freely falling object decreases progressively. Does
this violate the law of conservation of energy? Why?
Solution:
No, the method doesn’t violate the law of conservation of energy. This is because
when the body falls from a height, its potential energy changes into kinetic energy
progressively. A decrease in the potential energy is equal to an increase in the
kinetic energy of the body. Throughout the method, the total mechanical energy of
the body remains conserved. Therefore, the law of conservation of energy isn’t
desecrated.

7. What are the various energy transformations that occur when you are riding
a bicycle?
Solution:
During riding a bicycle, the muscular energy of the rider regenerates into heat and
mechanical energy. Kinetic energy provides a rate to the bicycle, and warmth energy
heats our body.
Muscular energy → mechanical energy + heat
8. Does the transfer of energy take place when you push a huge rock with all
your might and fail to move it? Where is the energy you spend going?
Solution:
When we push a huge rock, there’s no transfer of muscular energy to the stationary
rock. Also, there’s no loss of energy since muscular energy is transferred into heat
energy, which causes our body to become hot.

Question 2. Explain the following terms with one example each:

(a) Positive work
(b) Zero work
Answer: (a) When force acts in the direction of motion of body work done
is positive. When a lawn roller is pulled forward, work done is positive.
(b) When force is perpendicular to the direction of motion, work done is
zero. A porter carrying load does no work.
Question 3. From where do we get energy for the life processes?
Answer: The energy required for the various life processes comes from the
food that we eat.
Question 4. A girl is running along a circular path with a uniform
speed. How much work is done by the girl?
Answer: Zero.
Question 5. Moment of force and work done by a force have the
same units. Then, what is the difference between them?
Answer: Moment of a force produces rotatory motion in a body whereas
when a force does work on a body it produces translatory motion in it.

Question 8. Which law was verified experimentally by James

Prescott Joule?
Answer: Law of conservation of energy.
Question 9. State the law of conservation of energy.
Answer: The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither
be created nor destroyed, it can only be transformed from one form to
another.
Question 10. Name the two common forms of mechanical energy.
Answer: Kinetic energy and potential energy.
Question 11. By what factor does the kinetic energy of a body

Answer: By a factor of 4 ( KE ∝ v2).

increase when its speed is doubled?

Question 12. What is negative work.

Answer: Work done against friction is a negative work.
Question 13. Out of a light and a heavy body having equal kinetic
energy, which one will is move fast?
Answer: The lighter body because 1/2mv2 = KE ,
Question 14. What type of energy is stored in the spring of a
watch?
Answer: Elastic potential energy.
Question 15. When an arrow is shot from its bow, it has kinetic
energy. From where does it get this kinetic energy?
Answer: A stretched bow possesses potential energy on account of a
change in its shape. When the arrow is released, the potential energy of
the bow gets converted into the kinetic energy of the arrow.
Question 16. Can kinetic energy of a body be negative?
Answer: No, because both m and v2 are always positive.

Question 22.
What is the angle between the force and displacement in the case
of negative work?
Answer:
180°.

(b) What is the commercial unit of energy?

Answer:
The commercial unit of energy is kilowatt hour [kWh].
1 kWh is the energy used in one hour at the rate of 1000 Js -1.

Question 7.
What is the relationship between the commercial unit and SI unit
of energy?
Answer:
We know that,
lkWh = 1 kW × 1 h
= 1000 W × 3600 s
= 1000 Js-1 × 3600 s
= 3600000 J
∴ l kWh = 3.6 × 106J

Question 8.
Calculate the work done against the gravity.
Answer:
Suppose a body of mass m is lifted vertically upwards through a distance
h. In this case, the force required to lift the body will be equal to weight of
the body, mg (where m is mass and g is acceleration due to gravity). Now,
Work done in lifting a body = Weight of body × Vertical distance
W = mg × h= mgh
Where W = Work done, and h = Height through which the body is lifted.

Question 9.
How do you differentiate kilowatt from kilowatt hour?

Answer:
Power is the rate of doing work. Kilowatt is the unit of power and kilowatt
hour is the unit of energy.

Question 7.
Prove mathematically that the total mechanical energy of a freely
falling body in air is conserved.
Answer:
Let the body of mass m at height h above the ground starting from rest,
be falling freely.
Total energy of the body at height h
= mgh (PE) + 0 (KE) = mgh
After the body has fallen freely through a distance x (say),
KE = mgh, PE = mg (h – x)
Total energy = KE + PE= mgh + mg (h – x) = mgh
When it reaches the ground KE = 1/2mv2 =1/2m(u2+2gh)=1/2m(0+2gh)=
mgh
PE = 0, Total Energy = KE + PE = mgh
Thus, the total mechanical energy, which is the sum of KE and PE is
always equal to mgh.

Question 8.
Write the difference between Kinetic Energy and Potential
Energy.

Sr.no Kinetic Energy Potential Energy

Kinetic energy is the kind of energy present in a Potential Energy is the type of energy present in a
1.
body due to the property of its motion body due to the property of its state

It can be easily transferred from one body to

2. It is not transferable
another

The determining factors for kinetic energy are Here, the determining factors are Height/ distance
3.
Speed or velocity and mass and mass

Flowing water is one of the examples of kinetic Water present at the top of a hill is an example of
4.
energy potential energy