9.

Work, Energy, and Power

Work - the product of the magnitude of the force (F) and the parallel distance
(d) through which the object moves.

work = force x parallel distance

W = Fd

Mechanically, work involves both force and motion.

Positive, Negative and Zero Work
Scenario A: A force acts rightward upon an object as it is displaced rightward. In such
an instance, the force vector and the displacement vector are in the same direction.
Thus, the angle between F and d is 0 degrees.

Scenario B: A force acts leftward upon an object that is displaced rightward. In such an
instance, the force vector and the displacement vector are in the opposite direction.
Thus, the angle between F and d is 180 degrees.

Scenario C: A force acts upward on an object as it is displaced rightward. In such an

instance, the force vector and the displacement vector are at right angles to each other.
Thus, the angle between F and d is 90 degrees.

In the case of gravity, we must apply force to overcome the force of

gravity (weight = w = mg).

The Gravitational Potential Energy is equal to the work done and this is
equal to the weight times the height.

W = Ep = mgh
Example: How much work is done lifting a 1.0 kg book to the height of 1m?
Work = W = (1.0 kg) (9.8 m/s2) (1m) = 9.8 J

This is also the amount of Ep that the book has at a height of 1m

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. An object that has motion - whether it
is vertical or horizontal motion - has kinetic energy. There are many forms of
kinetic energy - vibrational, rotational, and translational

Power is the rate at which work is done. It is the work/time ratio.

A Review of SI Units
Work - Units

SI System

W = Fd newton x meter = N-m = joule (J)

British System

W = Fd pound x foot = foot-pound (ft-lb)

Energy

The ability to do work. An object or system that possesses energy has the ability to do work

When work is done by a system, the amount of energy of the system

decreases

When work is done on a system, the system gains energy

Work is the process by which energy is transferred from one object to

another

Work and Energy have the same units joules

Potential Energy is the stored energy of position possessed by an object.
Gravitational Potential Energy

When work is done, we generally feel the other part of Newtons thirdlaw, force acting against us.

Gravity and friction are common agents working against work.

Energy

No matter what type of energy that we speak of chemical, electrical, mechanical the main
unifying concept is the conservation of energy

We cannot create or destroy energy, but we can change it from one

form to another
Forms of Energy

Heat energy is the energy produced by the motion of molecules in a substance.

Nuclear energy is the energy within the center of the atom.

Electromagnetic energy found in electric charges have the ability to do

work.

Chemical energy is the energy stored in bonds of atoms that are joined
together.

Mechanical energy is the energy associated with motion.