Work, Energy and Power.

Work - Definition Of Work

Work is the transfer of energy.
If you put energy into an object, then
you do work on that object. If an
object is standing still, and you get it
moving, then you have put energy
into that object.
If you lift a suitcase to place it in its
compartment, we say that you are
doing work. Work is done when a
force moves against an opposing
force. The opposing force is often
gravity or friction. You can only do
work if you have some energy. If the
suitcase falls you will feel this energy!
Energy is the capacity for doing work.
Both the Work Done and the Energy used to do the work
are measured in Joules (J).
The amount of work is calculated by multiplying the force
times the displacement. That formula looks like this:
Work Done = Force x distance moved
(In the direction of the force)
or

The unit of Work is the Nm or Joule (J).

The work done depends on the size of the force and distance.
No work is done when there is no motion.
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Power
Work has nothing to do with the amount of
time that a force acts to cause a
displacement.
Sometimes, the work is done very quickly
and other times the work is done rather slowly. For example,
two pupils can take different times to climb a stair. The two
people might do the same amount of work. However the pupil
who does the work in considerably less time has a greater
power rating than the slower one.
Power is the rate at which work is done. It is the
work/time ratio.

The standard metric unit of power is the Watt.

A Watt is equivalent to a Joule/second. (J/s)
For historical reasons, the horsepower is occasionally used to
describe the power delivered by a machine. One horsepower
is equivalent to approximately 750 Watts. Most machines are
designed and built to do work on objects. All machines are
typically described by a power rating.

Energy
Everything happens because of energy. Energy is a
quantity that is often understood as the ability to perform
work. Without energy we could not live or move. We use
energy to keep alive, for entertainment and transportation.
Work Done = Energy transferred

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DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENERGY

Energy comes in many different
forms. We cannot create nor
destroy energy. The only thing
which is possible is for energy to
change from one form into another.
This is known as the Principle of
Conservation of Energy which
states that:
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It can
only be changed from one form to another.
When a light bulb is
switched on, electrical
energy is used by the bulb
and this form of energy is
converted to light ( and
some heat). Changes from
one form of energy to
another can be shown by
energy flow diagrams.
People have learned how to change energy from one form to
another so that we can do work more easily and live more
comfortably. Note that the following forms of energy are all
measured in
Joules.
This
flow
diagram
represents the
energy
changes in a
mobile phone.
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1. Kinetic Energy (KE)

This is the energy an object
has because of its motion.
For example, a moving train, a
moving ship and a moving lorry
all have Kinetic Energy.
The K.E. of a moving object can
be calculated using the following
formula.
or

KE = x mass x velocity2
KE =
m
v2

K.E. is the Kinetic Energy in Joules (J),

m is the mass of the object in kg ,
v is the velocity/speed of the object in m/s .
If an object is not moving its Kinetic Energy is zero.

2. Potential Energy (Stored Energy)

Potential Energy [measured in J], is the energy stored in an
object. There are 3 kinds of Potential Energy or PE:
A)

CHEMICAL PE

Fuels (wood, petrol, etc.), food and batteries

are all examples of chemical energy. They have
energy stored within them.
Fuels release energy when they are burnt to give heat and
light energy.
Batteries have stored energy which is converted to electrical
energy.
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B) ELASTIC PE
A stretched elastic band or spring
has stored energy called elastic
PE. This energy is released as
motion when the stretching force
is removed.

C) GRAVITATIONAL PE
Potential energy is energy that is stored
within a system. The further away the
body is from the surface of the earth,
the larger would be its potential energy.
Potential Energy (P.E.)
The gravitational potential energy can
be calculated using the following
equation.

or

PE = mass x gravity x height

PE =
m
g
h

Where
m is the mass of the object in kg,
g is the acceleration due to gravity (on earth g =10
N/kg),

h is the height of the object above the earth surface

in metres (m).
The following represents the PE / KE changes for a
rollercoaster.

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3. Heat Energy (Thermal Energy)

Heat energy is the internal energy in substances.
It depends on the vibration and movement of the
atoms and molecules within substances.

4. Electrical Energy
Electrical energy is the movement of
electrical charges. Everything is made of
tiny particles called atoms. Atoms are
made of even smaller particles called
electrons, protons, and neutrons.
Applying a force can make some of the
electrons move. Electrical charges
moving through a wire is called
electricity. Lightning is another example
of electrical energy.

5. Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy is energy stored in the
nucleus of an atom the energy that
holds the nucleus together. The energy
can be released when the nuclei are
combined or split apart. Nuclear power
plants split the nuclei of uranium atoms
in a process called fission. The sun
combines the nuclei of hydrogen atoms in a process called
fusion.

6. Light Energy
Light energy forms part of the
electromagnetic spectrum. Light is one type
of energy that we can see with our eyes.
Some of the energy coming from the Sun is
in the form of Light rays.

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7. Sound Energy
This is the movement of energy
through a medium by means of waves.
Sound is produced when a force causes
an object or substance to vibratethe
energy is transferred through the
substance in a wave.
Falling objects
A football of mass 0.5kg is dropped from a height of 4m.
P.E. = 20J (mgh = 0.5x10x4 = 20J)
K.E. = 0J

(ball is not moving)

P.E. = 10J (mgh = 0.5x10x2 = 10J)

K.E. = 10J (total energy must remain 20J)

4m

2m
P.E. = 0J (ball is on the ground)
K.E. = 20J (total energy must remain 20J)

P.E. at the top = K.E. at the bottom

Find the velocity with which the ball hits the ground.
P.E. at the top = K.E. at the bottom
mgh = mv2
v2 = 2gh = 2x10x4 = 80
v = 80 = 8.94m/s
From v2=2gh we note that neglecting air-resistance,
any two masses dropped from the same height will
reach the ground at the same time.
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Efficiency
A machine would be 100% efficient if all the input energy
would be changed to required useful output energy. However
no machine is 100 % efficient since some of the input energy
is lost as heat in the transformation process. For example a
car is only 25 % efficient since only 25 % of the input energy
is converted to kinetic energy while the rest is lost as heat
and sound from the engine.
An energy saving light bulb emits 2880 J of light out of the
total 3000 J of electrical energy it consumes. Calculate the
efficiency of the bulb.
Efficiency =
=
=

Output Energy / Input Energy * 100%

2880
/ 3000
* 100%
96 %

That means that the bulb gives 96 J of light for every 100 J of
electrical energy it consumes.
When a machine transfers energy from one form into
another, some of it is used up (useful energy) while some of
it is wasted (wasted energy) as heat or sound. This affects
the efficiency of the machine.
If a machine is 100% efficient, then
Energy input = Energy output

Renewable and non-renewable sources of energy

Non-renewable sources of energy are sources of
energy that can be used only once.
Renewable sources of energy are sources of
energy that can be used more than once.
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Renewable sources of Energy

These consist of energy sources generated from natural
resources. These energy sources can be used more than once
and we have unlimited reserves of these resources.

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful

form, such as electricity, using wind turbines.
Wave power is the transport of energy by ocean surface
waves, and the capture of that energy to do useful work.
Tidal power, sometimes called tidal energy, is a form of
hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity
or other useful forms of power. Tides are more predictable
than wind energy and solar power.

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Solar energy consists of the light and heat rays that come
from the Sun. Only a small fraction of the available solar
energy is used because most of it is radiated into the space
around the Earth. Solar power technologies provide electrical
generation by means of heat engines or photovoltaics. Solar
applications includes space heating and cooling through solar
architecture, potable water via distillation and disinfection,
day lighting, hot water, thermal energy for cooking, and high
temperature process heat for industrial purposes
Hydroelectricity is electricity generated by hydropower,
i.e., the production of power through use of the gravitational
force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used
form of renewable energy. Once a hydroelectric complex is
constructed, the project produces no direct waste, and has a
considerably lower output level of the greenhouse gas carbon
dioxide (CO2) than fossil fuel powered energy plants.
Geothermal power is power extracted from heat stored in
the earth. This geothermal energy originates from the original
formation of the planet, from radioactive decay of minerals,
and from solar energy absorbed at the surface. It is used to
generate electricity and for direct uses such as wintertime
heating.
Biomass, as a renewable energy source, refers to living and
recently dead biological material that can be used as Fuel. In
this context, biomass refers to plant matter grown to
generate electricity, example corn or produce for example
garbage such as dead trees and branches, yard clippings and
wood chips .It also includes energy obtained from landfill
gases and alcohol fuels.
Biofuel is defined as solid, liquid or gaseous fuel obtained
from relatively recently lifeless biological material. Also,
various plants and plant derived materials are used for biofuel
manufacturing.

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Non-Renewable Sources of Energy

These refer to Energy sources that can be used only once.
Fossil Fuel Oil & Natural Gas Crude oil is usually found in
underground areas called reservoirs. Scientists and engineers
explore a chosen area by studying rock samples from the
earth. Measurements are taken, and, if the site seems
promising, drilling begins.
Fossil Fuel Coal is composed primarily of carbon along
with variable quantities of other elements, chiefly sulfur,
hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Coal, a fossil fuel, is the
largest source of energy for the generation of electricity
worldwide, as well as one of the largest worldwide source of
carbon dioxide emissions. Coal is extracted from the ground
by mining, either underground or in open pits.
Nuclear Fuel is any type of nuclear elements that can be
made to undergo nuclear fission chain reactions in a nuclear
fission reactor. The most common fissile nuclear fuels are
235U (Uranium) and 239Pu (Plutonium), and the actions of
mining, refining, purifying, using, and ultimately disposing of
these elements together make up the nuclear fuel cycle,
which is important for its relevance to nuclear power
generation and nuclear weapons.
As the world's population increases and there is likely to be
demand for more electrical power. Every form of energy
generation has advantages and disadvantages as shown in the
table below.

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Source - Coal
Advantages

Disadvantages

Inexpensive

Requires expensive air pollution

controls (e.g. mercury, sulfur
dioxide)

Easy to recover

Significant contributor to acid

rain and global warming
Requires extensive
transportation system
Source - Nuclear

Advantages

Disadvantages

Easy to recover Energy

generation is the most
concentrated source.

Requires larger capital cost

because of emergency,
radioactive waste and storage
systems.

Fuel is inexpensive.

Potential nuclear proliferation.

Waste is more compact

than any source .Easy to
transport as new fuel

Requires resolution of the longterm high level waste storage

issue in most countries

No greenhouse or acid
rain effects
Source - Gas / Oil
Advantages

Disadvantages

Good distribution system

for current use levels.

Very expensive for energy

generation.

Easy to obtain
(sometimes).

Could be major contributor to

global warming.

Better as space heating

energy source.

Very limited availability.

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Source - Wind
Advantages

Disadvantages

Wind is free if available.

Limited to windy areas.

Good source for water

pumping demands of
farms .

Limited to small generator

size; need many towers.

Generation and
maintenance costs have
decreased significantly.

Highly climate dependent wind can damage equipment

during windstorms or not turn
during still summer days.
May affect endangered birds;
however tower design can
reduce impact.

Source - Hydro-electric
Advantages

Disadvantages

Very inexpensive once

dam is built .

Very limited source since

depends on water elevation.

Produce no waste.

Many dams available are

already built.
Dam collapse usually leads to
loss of life. Dams have
affected fish (e.g. salmon
runs) .
Environmental damage for
areas flooded (backed up) and
downstream.

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Source - Solar
Advantages

Disadvantages

Sunlight is free when

available.

Limited to sunny areas. Demand

can be highest when least
available, e.g. winter solar
heating)

Costs are dropping.

Does require special materials

for mirrors/panels that can affect
environment.
Current technology requires
large amounts of land for small
amounts of energy generation.

Source - Biomass
Advantages

Disadvantages

Fuel can have low

cost.

Inefficient if small plants are

used.

Industry in its infancy.

Could be significant contributor

to global warming because fuel
has low heat content.

Source - Fusion
Higher energy output
per unit mass than
fission.

After ~40 years of expensive

research ,commercially available
plants not expected for at least
35 years.

Low radiation levels

associated with
process than fissionbased reactors.

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Source - Refuse Based Fuel

Advantages

Disadvantages

Fuel can have low cost

Inefficient if small plants are

used.
Could be significant contributor to
global warming because fuel has
low heat content .

Low sulfur dioxide

emissions

Flyash can contain metals as

cadmium and lead.Contain
dioxins and furans in air and ash
releases
Source - HYDROGEN
Hydrogen and tritium
could be used as fuel
source.

Takes more energy to produce

hydrogen then energy that could
be recovered.

Combines easily with

oxygen to produce water
and energy.

Very costly to produce .

Throughout the world, we need every energy source we

can get - including nuclear. As one can see from the table
above, all energy sources have BOTH advantages AND
disadvantages.
Even with conservation efforts, energy demand has been and
will continue to increase.In using each and every one of
these forms of energy production, we need to make sure we
conserve as much as we can so we leave sources for future
generations. Energy suppliers need to ensure that they do not
contribute to short and long-term environmental problems.
Governments need to ensure energy is generated safely to
that neither people nor the environment are harmed.

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