(Physics)

Topic – WORK, ENERGY AND (Part-1st)

POWER
-By Vimal Kumar

University of
Delhi

WORK
PHYSICAL DEFINITION
When the point of application of force moves in the direction of the applied force
under its effect then work is said to be done.

MATHEMATICAL DEFINITION OF WORK

Work is defined as the product of force and displacement in the direction of force

If force and displacement are not parallel to each other rather they are inclined at an
angle, then in the evaluation of work component of force (F) in the direction of displacement
(s) will be considered.
W = (Fcosθ) x s
 or, W = FsCosθ

VECTOR DEFINITION OF WORK

Force and displacement both are vector quantities but their product, work is a scalar
quantity, hence work must be scalar product or dot product of force and displacement vector.

WORK DONE BY VARIABLE FORCE

Force varying with displacement
In this condition we consider the force to be constant for any elementary
displacement and work done in that elementary displacement is evaluated. Total work is
obtained by integrating the elementary work from initial to final limits.

Force varying with time

In this condition we consider the force to be constant for any elementary displacement and
work done in that elementary displacement is evaluate

Total work is obtained by integrating the elementary work from initial to final limits.

WORK DONE BY VARIABLE FORCE FROM GRAPH

 Let force be the function of displacement & its graph be as shown.

To find work done from s1 to s2 we consider two points M & N very close on the
graph such that magnitude of force (F) is almost same at both the points. If elementary
displacement from M to N is ds, then elementary work done from M to N is.
dW = F.ds
dW = (length x breadth)of strip MNds
dW = Area of strip MNds
Thus, work done in any part of the graph is equal to area under that part. Hence
total work done from s1 to s2 will be given by the area enclosed under the graph from s1 to
s2.
W = Area (ABS2S1A)

DIFFERENT CASES OF WORK DONE BY CONSTANT FORCE

Case i) Force and displacement are in same direction
θ=0
Since, W = Fs Cos θ
Therefore W = Fs Cos 0
or, W = Fs
Ex - Coolie pushing a load horizontally

Case ii) Force and displacement are mutually perpendicular to each other
θ = 90
 Since, W = Fs Cos θ
Therefore W = Fs Cos 90
or, W=0
Ex - coolie carrying a load on his head & moving horizontally with constant velocity. Then
he applies force vertically to balance weight of body & its displacement is horizontal.

Case iii) Force & displacement are in opposite direction

θ = 180
Since, W = Fs Cos θ
Therefore W = Fs Cos 180
or, W = - Fs
Ex - Coolie carrying a load on his head & moving vertically down with constant velocity.
Then he applies force in vertically upward direction to balance the weight of body & its
displacement is in vertically downward direction.

ENERGY
The capacity of doing work by a body is known as energy.
Note - Energy possessed by the body by virtue of any cause is equal to the total work done by the body when
the cause responsible for energy becomes completely extinct.

TYPES OF ENERGIES
 There are many types of energies like mechanical energy, electrical,
magnetic, nuclear, solar, chemical etc.
MECHANICAL ENERGY
Energy possessed by the body by virtue of which it performs some
mechanical work is known as mechanical energy.
It is of basically two types-
(i) Kinetic energy
(ii) Potential energy
KINETIC ENERGY
Energy possessed by body due to virtue of its motion is known as the kinetic energy
of the body. Kinetic energy possessed by moving body is equal to total work done by the
body just before coming out to rest.

Consider a body of man (m) moving with velocity (vo).After travelling through
distance (s) it comes to rest.

Hence force acting on the body,

But from Newton’s third law of action and reaction, force applied by body is equal and
opposite to the force applied on body

Therefore, work done by body,

Thus K.E. stored in the body is,

KINETIC ENERGY IN TERMS OF MOMENTUM

K.E. of body moving with velocity v is

POTENTIAL ENERGY
Energy possessed by the body by virtue of its position or state is known as
potential energy. Example: - gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy,
electrostatic potential energy etc.

GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY

Energy possessed by a body by virtue of its height above surface of earth is
known as gravitational potential energy. It is equal to the work done by the body situated at
some height in returning back slowly to the surface of earth.
Consider a body of mass m situated at height h above the surface of earth. Force
applied by the body in vertically downward direction is
F = mg
Displacement of the body in coming back slowly to the surface of earth is
s=h
Hence work done by the body is
W = FsCosθ
 or, W = FsCos0
or, W = mgh
This work was stored in the body in the form of gravitational potential energy due to its
position. Therefore
G.P.E = mgh

ELASTIC POTENTIAL ENERGY

Energy possessed by the spring by virtue of compression or expansion against
elastic force in the spring is known as elastic potential energy.
Spring
It is a coiled structure made up of elastic material & is capable of applying restoring
force & restoring torque when disturbed from its original state. When force (F) is applied at
one end of the string, parallel to its length, keeping the other end fixed, then the spring
expands (or contracts) & develops a restoring force (FR) which balances the applied force in
equilibrium.
On increasing applied force spring further expands in order to increase restoring
force for balancing the applied force. Thus restoring force developed within the spring is
directed proportional to the extension produced in the spring.
 Hence force constant of string may be defined as the restoring force
developed within spring when its length is changed by unity.
But in equilibrium, restoring force balances applied force.
F = FR = k x
If x = 1, F = 1
Hence force constant of string may also be defined as the force required to
change its length by unity in equilibrium.
Mathematical Expression for Elastic Potential Energy

Consider a spring of natural length ‘L’ & spring constant ‘k’ its length is
increased by xo. Elastic potential energy of stretched spring will be equal to total work done
by the spring in regaining its original length.
If in the process of regaining its natural length, at any instant extension in the spring was x
then force applied by spring is
F = kx
If spring normalizes its length by elementary distance dx opposite to x under this force then
work done by spring is
dW = F. (-dx) . Cos0
(force applied by spring F and displacement –dx taken opposite to extension x are in same direction)

dW = -kxdx
Total work done by the spring in regaining its original length is obtained in integrating dW
from x0 to 0
WORK ENERGY THEOREM
It states that total work done on the body is equal to the change in kinetic
energy.(Provided body is confined to move horizontally and no dissipating forces are
operating).

Consider a body of man m moving with initial velocity v1. After travelling through
displacement its final velocity becomes v2 under the effect of force F.

Hence external force acting on the body is

Therefore, work done on body by external force

PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY

It states that energy can neither be creased neither be destroyed. It can only be
converted from one form to another. Consider a body of man m situated at height h & moving
with velocity vo. Its energy will be.
E1 = P 1 + K1

If the body falls under gravity through distance y, then it acquires velocity v1 and its height
becomes (h-y)

Energy of body in second situation

Now we consider the situation when body reaches ground with velocity v2
Energy of body in third situation

From above it must be clear that E1 = E2 = E3. This proves the law of conservation of
energy.

CONSERVATIVE FORCE
Forces are said to be conservative in nature if work done against the forces gets
conversed in the body in form of potential energy. Example: - gravitational forces, elastic
forces & all the central forces.
PROPERTIES OF CONSERVATIVE FORCES
1. Work done against these forces is conserved & stored in the body in the form of P.E.
2. Work done against these forces is never dissipated by being converted into Non usable
forms of energy like heat, light, sound etc.
3. Work done against conservative forces is a state function & not path function i.e., Work
done against it depends only upon initial & final states of body & is independent of the path
through which process has been carried out.
4. Work done against conservative forces is zero in a complete cycle.
TO PROVE WORK DONE AGAINST CONSERVATIVE FORCES IS A
STATE FUNCTION
Consider a body of man m which is required to be lifted up to height h. This can be done in 2
ways.
(i) By directly lifting the body against gravity
(ii) By pushing the body up a smooth inclined plane.
Min force required to lift the body of mass m vertically is
F = mg
And displacement of body in lifting is
s=h
Hence work done in lifting is
W1 = FsCos0 (since force and displacement are in same direction)

Now we consider the same body lifted through height h by pushing it up a smooth inclined
plane

Min force required to push the body is

F = mgSinθ
And displacement of body in lifting is

Hence work done in pushing is

From above W1 = W2 we can say that in both the cases work done in lifting the body through
height ‘h’ is same.
To Prove That Work Done Against Conservative Forces Is Zero In A
Complete Cycle

Consider a body of man m which is lifted slowly through height h & then allowed to come
back to the ground slowly through height h.
For work done is slowly lifting the body up, Minimum force required in vertically upward
direction is
F = mg
Vertical up displacement of the body is
s=h
Hence work done is
W = FsCosθ
or, WI = FsCos0 (since force and displacement are in same direction)
or, WI = mgh (since force and displacement are in same direction)
For work done is slowly bringing the body down,
Minimum force required in vertically upward direction is
F = mg
Vertical down displacement of the body is
s=h
Hence work done is
or, W2 = FsCos180(since force and displacement are in opposite direction)
or, W2 = - mgh
Hence total work done against conservative forces in a complete cycle is
 W = W1 + W2
or, W = (mgh) + (-mgh)
or, W=0