Work, Energy, and Power - Lesson 1 - Basic Terminology and Concepts

Mechanical Energy
Definition and Mathematics of Work

Calculating the Amount of Work Done by Forces

Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy

Mechanical Energy

Power

In a previous part of Lesson 1, it was said that work is done upon an object whenever a force acts
upon it to cause it to be displaced. Work involves a force acting upon an object to cause a
displacement. In all instances in which work is done, there is an object that supplies the force in
order to do the work. If a World Civilization book is lifted to the top shelf of a student locker,
then the student supplies the force to do the work on the book. If a plow is displaced across a
field, then some form of farm equipment (usually a tractor or a horse) supplies the force to do the
work on the plow. If a pitcher winds up and accelerates a baseball towards home plate, then the
pitcher supplies the force to do the work on the baseball. If a roller coaster car is displaced from
ground level to the top of the first drop of a roller coaster ride, then a chain driven by a motor
supplies the force to do the work on the car. If a barbell is displaced from ground level to a
height above a weightlifter's head, then the weightlifter is supplying a force to do work on the
barbell. In all instances, an object that possesses some form of energy supplies the force to do the
work. In the instances described here, the objects doing the work (a student, a tractor, a pitcher, a
motor/chain) possess chemical potential energy stored in food or fuel that is transformed into
work. In the process of doing work, the object that is doing the work exchanges energy with the
object upon which the work is done. When the work is done upon the object, that object gains
energy. The energy acquired by the objects upon which work is done is known as mechanical
energy.

Mechanical energy is the energy that is possessed by an object due to its motion or due to its
position. Mechanical energy can be either kinetic energy (energy of motion) or potential energy
(stored energy of position). Objects have mechanical energy if they are in motion and/or if they
are at some position relative to a zero potential energy position (for example, a brick held at a
vertical position above the ground or zero height position). A moving car possesses mechanical
energy due to its motion (kinetic energy). A moving baseball possesses mechanical energy due to
both its high speed (kinetic energy) and its vertical position above the ground (gravitational
potential energy). A World Civilization book at rest on the top shelf of a locker possesses
mechanical energy due to its vertical position above the ground (gravitational potential energy).
A barbell lifted high above a weightlifter's head possesses mechanical energy due to its vertical
position above the ground (gravitational potential energy). A drawn bow possesses mechanical
energy due to its stretched position (elastic potential energy).

Mechanical Energy as the Ability to Do Work

An object that possesses mechanical energy is able to do work.

In fact, mechanical energy is often defined as the ability to do
work. Any object that possesses mechanical energy - whether it
is in the form of potential energy or kinetic energy - is able to do
work. That is, its mechanical energy enables that object to apply a force to another object in
order to cause it to be displaced.
Numerous examples can be given of how an object with
mechanical energy can harness that energy in order to apply a
force to cause another object to be displaced. A classic example
involves the massive wrecking ball of a demolition machine.
The wrecking ball is a massive object that is swung backwards
to a high position and allowed to swing forward into building structure or other object in order to
demolish it. Upon hitting the structure, the wrecking ball applies a force to it in order to cause the
wall of the structure to be displaced. The diagram below depicts the process by which the
mechanical energy of a wrecking ball can be used to do work.

A hammer is a tool that utilizes mechanical energy to do work. The mechanical energy of a
hammer gives the hammer its ability to apply a force to a nail in order to cause it to be displaced.
Because the hammer has mechanical energy (in the form of kinetic energy), it is able to do work
on the nail. Mechanical energy is the ability to do work.

Another example that illustrates how mechanical energy is the ability

of an object to do work can be seen any evening at your local
bowling alley. The mechanical energy of a bowling ball gives the ball
the ability to apply a force to a bowling pin in order to cause it to be
displaced. Because the massive ball has mechanical energy (in the
form of kinetic energy), it is able to do work on the pin. Mechanical
energy is the ability to do work.

A dart gun is still another example of how mechanical energy of an object

can do work on another object. When a dart gun is loaded and the springs are
compressed, it possesses mechanical energy. The mechanical energy of the
compressed springs gives the springs the ability to apply a force to the dart in order to cause it to
be displaced. Because of the springs have mechanical energy (in the form of elastic potential
energy), it is able to do work on the dart. Mechanical
energy is the ability to do work.

A common scene in some parts of the countryside is a

"wind farm." High- speed winds are used to do work on
the blades of a turbine at the so-called wind farm.
The mechanical energy of the moving air gives the air particles the ability to apply a force and
cause a displacement of the blades. As the blades spin, their energy is subsequently converted
into electrical energy (a non-mechanical form of energy) and supplied to homes and industries in
order to run electrical appliances. Because the moving wind has mechanical energy (in the form
of kinetic energy), it is able to do work on the blades. Once more, mechanical energy is the
ability to do work.
The Total Mechanical Energy

As already mentioned, the mechanical energy of an object

can be the result of its motion (i.e., kinetic energy) and/or
the result of its stored energy of position (i.e., potential
energy). The total amount of mechanical energy is merely
the sum of the potential energy and the kinetic energy. This
sum is simply referred to as the total mechanical energy
(abbreviated TME).

TME = PE + KE

As discussed earlier, there are two forms of potential energy discussed in our course -
gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy. Given this fact, the above equation can
be rewritten:

TME = PEgrav + PEspring + KE

The diagram below depicts the motion of Li Ping Phar (esteemed Chinese ski jumper) as she
glides down the hill and makes one of her record-setting jumps.

The total mechanical energy of Li Ping Phar is the sum of the potential and kinetic energies. The
two forms of energy sum up to 50 000 Joules. Notice also that the total mechanical energy of Li
Ping Phar is a constant value throughout her motion. There are conditions under which the total
mechanical energy will be a constant value and conditions under which it will be a changing
value. This is the subject of Lesson 2 - the work-energy relationship. For now, merely remember
that total mechanical energy is the energy possessed by an object due to either its motion or its
stored energy of position. The total amount of mechanical energy is merely the sum of these two
forms of energy. And finally, an object with mechanical energy is able to do work on another
object.

Conservation of mechanical energy

Definition 1: Conservation of Energy

The Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but is

merely changed from one form into another.

So far we have looked at two types of energy: gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.
The sum of the gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy is called the mechanical energy.
In a closed system, one where there are no external dissipative forces acting, the mechanical
energy will remain constant. In other words, it will not change (become more or less). This is
called the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy.
Tip:
In problems involving the use of conservation of energy, the path taken by the object can be
ignored. The only important quantities are the object's velocity (which gives its kinetic energy)
and height above the reference point (which gives its gravitational potential energy).

Definition 2: Conservation of mechanical energy

Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy: The total amount of mechanical energy, in a

closed system in the absence of dissipative forces (e.g. friction, air resistance), remains
constant.

This means that potential energy can become kinetic energy, or vice versa, but energy cannot
disappear. For example, in the absence of air resistance, the mechanical energy of an object
moving through the air in the Earth's gravitational field, remains constant (is conserved).

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Conservation of energy

Using the law of conservation of energy

Mechanical energy is conserved (in the absence of friction). Therefore we can say that the sum of
the EP

and the EK anywhere during the motion must be equal to the sum of the EP and
the EK

anywhere else in the motion.

We can now apply this to the example of the suitcase on the cupboard. Consider the mechanical
energy of the suitcase at the top and at the bottom. We can say:
 EM1EP1+EK1mgh+12mv2(1kg)(9,8ms1)(2m)

+019,6v2v=======EM2EP2+EK2mgh+12mv20+12(1kg)

(v2)12(v2)39,2m2s26,26ms1

(1)

The suitcase will strike the ground with a velocity of 6,26 ms1.

From this we see that when an object is lifted, like the suitcase in our example, it gains potential
energy. As it falls back to the ground, it will lose this potential energy, but gain kinetic energy.
We know that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but only changed from one form into
another. In our example, the potential energy that the suitcase loses is changed to kinetic energy.

The suitcase will have maximum potential energy at the top of the cupboard and maximum
kinetic energy at the bottom of the cupboard. Halfway down it will have half kinetic energy and
half potential energy. As it moves down, the potential energy will be converted (changed) into
kinetic energy until all the potential energy is gone and only kinetic energy is left. The 19,6 J of
potential energy at the top will become 19,6 J of kinetic energy at the bottom.

Activity 1: Conversion of energy

Materials

A length of plastic pipe with diameter approximately 20 mm, a marble, some masking tape and a
measuring tape.

To do (1)

First put one end of the pipe on the table top so that it is parallel to the top of the table and tape it
in position with the masking tape.

Lift the other end of the pipe upwards and hold it at a steady height not too high above the table.

Measure the vertical height from the table top to the top opening of the pipe.

Now put the marble at the top of the pipe and let it go so that it travels through the pipe and out
the other end.

Questions
 What is the velocity (i.e. fast, slow, not moving) of the marble when you first put it into
the top of the pipe and what does this mean for its gravitational potential and kinetic
energy?

What is the velocity (i.e. fast, slow, not moving) of the marble when it reaches the other
end of the pipe and rolls onto the desk? What does this mean for its gravitational potential
and kinetic energy?

To do (2)

Now lift the top of the pipe as high as it will go.

Measure the vertical height of the top of the pipe above the table top.

Put the marble into the top opening and let it roll through the pipe onto the table.

Questions

What is the velocity (i.e. fast, slow, not moving) of the marble when you put it into the
top of the pipe, and what does this mean for its gravitational potential and kinetic energy?

Compared to the first attempt, what was different about the height of the top of the tube?
How do you think this affects the gravitational potential energy of the marble?

Compared to your first attempt, was the marble moving faster or slower when it came out
of the bottom of the pipe the second time? What does this mean for the kinetic energy of
the marble?

The activity with the marble rolling down the pipe shows very nicely the conversion between
gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy. In the first instance, the pipe was held relatively
low and therefore the gravitational potential energy was also relatively low. The kinetic energy at
this point was zero since the marble wasn't moving yet. When the marble rolled out of the other
end of the pipe, it was moving relatively slowly, and therefore its kinetic energy was also
relatively low. At this point its gravitational potential energy was zero since it was at zero height
above the table top.

In the second instance, the marble started off higher up and therefore its gravitational potential
energy was higher. By the time it got to the bottom of the pipe, its gravitational potential energy
was zero (zero height above the table) but its kinetic energy was high since it was moving much
faster than the first time. Therefore, the gravitational potential energy was converted completely
to kinetic energy (if we ignore friction with the pipe).

In the case of the pipe being held higher, the gravitational potential energy at the start was higher,
and the kinetic energy (and velocity) of the marble was higher at the end. In other words, the
total mechanical energy was higher and and only depended on the height you held the pipe above
the table top and not on the distance the marble had to travel through the pipe.

Example 1: Using the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy

Question
During a flood a tree trunk of mass 100 kg falls down a waterfall. The waterfall is 5 m high.
If air resistance is ignored, calculate:

the potential energy of the tree trunk at the top of the waterfall.

the kinetic energy of the tree trunk at the bottom of the waterfall.

the magnitude of the velocity of the tree trunk at the bottom of the waterfall.

Answer

Analyse the question to determine what information is provided

The mass of the tree trunk m = 100 kg

The height of the waterfall h = 5 m.

These are all in SI units so we do not have to convert.

Analyse the question to determine what is being asked

Potential energy at the top

Kinetic energy at the bottom

Velocity at the bottom

Calculate the potential energy at the top of the waterfall.

EP===mgh(100kg)(9,8ms1)(5m)4900J

(2)

Calculate the kinetic energy at the bottom of the waterfall.

The total mechanical energy must be conserved.

EK1+EP1=EK2+EP2

(3)

Since the trunk's velocity is zero at the top of the waterfall, EK1=0

At the bottom of the waterfall, h=0m

, so EP2=0
.

Therefore EP1=EK2

or in words:

The kinetic energy of the tree trunk at the bottom of the waterfall is equal to the potential energy
it had at the top of the waterfall. Therefore EK

= 4900 J.

Calculate the velocity at the bottom of the waterfall.

To calculate the velocity of the tree trunk we need to use the equation for kinetic energy.

EK490098vv=====12mv212(100kg)(v2)v29,899...ms19,90ms1

(4)

Example 2: Pendulum

Question
A 2 kg metal ball is suspended from a rope as a pendulum. If it is released from point A and
swings down to the point B (the bottom of its arc):

1. show that the velocity of the ball is independent of its mass,

2. calculate the velocity of the ball at point B.

Answer

Analyse the question to determine what information is provided

The mass of the metal ball is m = 2 kg

The change in height going from point A to point B is h = 0,5 m

The ball is released from point A so the velocity at point, vA

= 0 ms1.

All quantities are in SI units.

Analyse the question to determine what is being asked

Prove that the velocity is independent of mass.
 Find the velocity of the metal ball at point B.

Apply the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy to the situation

Since there is no friction, mechanical energy is conserved. Therefore:

EM1EP1+EK1mgh1+12m(v1)2mgh1+0mgh1=====EM2EP2+EK2mgh2+12
m(v2)20+12m(v2)212m(v2)2

(5)

The mass of the ball m appears on both sides of the equation so it can be eliminated so that the
equation becomes:

gh12gh1==12(v2)2(v2)2

(6)

This proves that the velocity of the ball is independent of its mass. It does not matter what its
mass is, it will always have the same velocity when it falls through this height.

Calculate the velocity of the ball at point B

We can use the equation above, or do the calculation from first principles:

(v2)2(v2)2(v2)2v2v2=====2gh1(2)(9.8ms1)(0,5m)9,8ms1m9,8m2s2

3,13ms1

(7)

Alternatively you can do:

EK1+EP1mgh1+12m(v1)2mgh1+0(v2)2(v2)2v2v2=======EK2+EP2mgh2

+12m(v2)20+12m(v2)22mgh1m2(2kg)(9,8ms2)(0,5m)2kg9,8m2s2

3,13ms1

(8)

Example 3: The roller coaster

Question
A roller coaster ride at an amusement park starts from rest at a height of 50 m above the ground
and rapidly drops down along its track. At some point, the track does a full 360 loop which has
a height of 20 m, before finishing off at ground level. The roller coaster train itself with a full
load of people on it has a mass of 850 kg.

Roller coaster
If the roller coaster and its track are frictionless, calculate:

1. the velocity of the roller coaster when it reaches the top of the loop

2. the velocity of the roller coaster at the bottom of the loop (i.e. ground level)

Answer

Analyse the question to determine what information is provided

The mass of the roller coaster is m=850

kg

The initial height of the roller coaster at its starting position is h1=50

The roller coaster starts from rest, so its initial velocity v1=0ms1

The height of the loop is h2=20

The height at the bottom of the loop is at ground level, h3=0

We do not need to convert units as they are in the correct form already.

Analyse the question to determine what is being asked

the velocity of the roller coaster at the top of the loop

the velocity of the roller coaster at the bottom of the loop

Calculate the velocity at the top of the loop

From the conservation of mechanical energy, We know that at any two points in the system, the
total mechanical energy must be the same. Let's compare the situation at the start of the roller
coaster to the situation at the top of the loop:

EM1EK1+EP10+mgh1===EM2EK2+EP212m(v2)2+mgh2
(9)

We can eliminate the mass, m, from the equation by dividing both sides by m.

gh1(v2)2(v2)2v2====12(v2)2+gh22(gh1gh2)2((9,8ms2)(50m)

(9,8ms2)(20m))24,25ms1

(10)

Calculate the velocity at the bottom of the loop

Again we can use the conservation of energy and the total mechanical energy at the bottom of the
loop should be the same as the total mechanical energy of the system at any other position. Let's
compare the situations at the start of the roller coaster's trip and the bottom of the loop:

EM1EK1+EP112m1(0)2+mgh1mgh1(v3)2(v3)2v3=======EM3EK3+EP312

m(v3)2+mg(0)12m(v3)22gh12(9,8ms2)(50m)31,30ms1

(11)

Example 4: An inclined plane

Question
A mountain climber who is climbing a mountain in the Drakensberg during winter, by mistake
drops her water bottle which then slides 100 m down the side of a steep icy slope to a point
which is 10 m lower than the climber's position. The mass of the climber is 60 kg and her water
bottle has a mass of 500 g .

1. If the bottle starts from rest, how fast is it travelling by the time it reaches the bottom of
the slope? (Neglect friction.)

2. What is the total change in the climber's potential energy as she climbs down the
mountain to fetch her fallen water bottle? i.e. what is the difference between her potential
energy at the top of the slope and the bottom of the slope?

Answer

Analyse the question to determine what information is provided

the distance travelled by the water bottle down the slope, d=100

m
 the difference in height between the starting position and the final position of the water bottle

is h=10

the bottle starts sliding from rest, so its initial velocity

v1=0ms1

the mass of the climber is 60 kg

the mass of the water bottle is 500 g. We need to convert this mass into kg: 500 g = 0,5 kg

Analyse the question to determine what is being asked

What is the velocity of the water bottle at the bottom of the slope?

What is the difference between the climber's potential energy when she is at the top of the
slope compared to when she reaches the bottom?

Calculate the velocity of the water bottle when it reaches the bottom of the slope

EM1EK1+EP112m(v1)2+mgh10+mgh1(v2)2(v2)2(v2)2v2========EM2EK

2+EP212m(v2)2+mgh212m(v2)2+02mghm2gh(2)(9,8ms2)(10m)14ms1

(12)

Note: the distance that the bottle travelled (i.e. 100 m) does not play any role in calculating the
energies. It is only the height difference that is important in calculating potential energy.

Calculate the difference between the climber's potential energy at the top of the
slope and her potential energy at the bottom of the slope
At the top of the slope, her potential energy is:

EP1===mgh1(60kg)(9,8ms1)(10m)5880J

(13)

At the bottom of the slope, her potential energy is:

EP2===mgh1(60kg)(9,8ms1)(0)0J

(14)

Therefore the difference in her potential energy when moving from the top of the slope to the
bottom is:

EP1EP2=58800=5880J

(15)

Exercise 1: Potential energy

Problem 1:

A tennis ball, of mass 120 kg , is dropped from a height of 5 m . Ignore air friction.

1. What is the potential energy of the ball when it has fallen 3 m ?

2. What is the velocity of the ball when it hits the ground?

Practise more questions like this

Answer 1:

a) m = 0,12 kg, h = 3 m

PE=mgh

PE=(0,12)(9,8)(3)

PE=3,528J

b) PEtop=(5)(9,8)(0,12)=5,88J

From the principle of conservation of mechanical energy we get: PEtop=KEbottom

So KEbottom=5,88J

And the velocity is:

KE=12mv2

5,88=12(0,12)(v2)
0,06v2=5,88

v=9,90ms1

Problem 2:

A ball rolls down a hill which has a vertical height of 15 m . Ignoring friction, what would be the

1. gravitational potential energy of the ball when it is at the top of the hill?

2. velocity of the ball when it reaches the bottom of the hill?

Practise more questions like this

Answer 2:

We use the conservation of mechanical energy:

EP top+EK top=EP bottom+EK bottom

EP top=EK bottom

mgh=12mv2

gh=12v2

a. So the potential energy at the top is: EP top=gh=(9,8)(15)=147J

b. And the velocity at the bottom is:

EK bottom=12v2

147=12v2

v2=294

17,15ms1

Problem 3:

A bullet, mass 50 g , is shot vertically up in the air with a muzzle velocity of 200 ms1. Use the
Principle of Conservation of Mechanical Energy to determine the height that the bullet will
reach. Ignore air friction.

Practise more questions like this

Answer 3:

The muzzle velocity is the initial velocity.

We draw a rough sketch to help understand the problem.

Note that the kinetic energy at the start is the same as the kinetic energy at the bottom, and the
potential energy at the end is the same as the potential energy at the top.

KEstart=12mv2=12(0,05kg)(200ms1)2=1000J

From the law of conservation of mechanical energy this is equal to the potential energy at the
end.

PE=1000=(0,05)(9,8)(h)

h=2040,92m

Problem 4:

A skier, mass 50 kg, is at the top of a 6,4 m ski slope.

1. Determine the maximum velocity that she can reach when she skis to the bottom of the
slope.

2. Do you think that she will reach this velocity? Why/Why not?
Practise more questions like this

Answer 4:

a) The potential energy at the start is:

PEstart=mgh=(50)(9,8)(6,4)=3136J

From the principle of conservation of mechanical energy this is equal to the kinetic energy at the
bottom.

KEend=12mv2

3136=12(50)(v2)

v2=125,44

v=11.2ms1

b) She will not reach this velocity. In the calculations we ignored friction, but in real life friction
would have to be taken into account. Due to the friction she will slow down as she skies
downward and so will only reach a velocity of less than this.

Problem 5:

A pendulum bob of mass 1,5 kg, swings from a height A to the bottom of its arc at B. The
velocity of the bob at B is 4 ms1. Calculate the height A from which the bob was released.
Ignore the effects of air friction.

Practise more questions like this

Answer 5:

We first draw a rough sketch of the situation.

We apply the law of conservation of mechanical energy.

PEA=KEB

mghA=12mvB2

(9,8)(hA)=12(4ms1)

hA=29,8

hA=0,20m

Problem 6:

Prove that the velocity of an object, in free fall, in a closed system, is independent of its mass.

Practise more questions like this

Answer 6:

Ustart=Uend

PEstart+KEstart=PEend+KEend

mghstart+12m(vstart)2=mghB+12m(vB)2
mghstart+0=0+12m(vend)2

mghstart=12m(vend)2

As the mass, m, of the object appears on both sides of the equation, it can be eliminated so that
the equation becomes:

ghstart=12(vend)2

2ghstart=(vend)2

This expression does not have m in it and so the velocity of an object in free fall, in a closed
system, is independent of the mass of the object.