Chapter 6

Work and Energy

6.1 Work Done by a Constant Force

Displacement

W = Fs
(a scalar quantity)
1 N  m = 1 joule (J )
If the force and displacement do not point in the same direction .
Only the component of the force parallel to the displacement does
work.

W = (F cos  )s
cos 0 = 1
cos 90 = 0
cos180 = −1
In which one of the following circumstances does the force do positive
work on the object?

a) The direction of the force is perpendicular to the object’s

displacement.

b) The direction of the force is in the opposite direction to the object’s

displacement.

c) No matter the direction of the force, positive work will be done if

there is a displacement of the object.

d) The direction of the force is in the same direction as the object’s

displacement.

e) The object’s displacement is zero meters as the force is applied.

Example : Pulling a Suitcase-on-Wheels

Find the work done if the force is 45.0 N, the angle is 50.0
degrees, and the displacement is 75.0 m.
The same force F pushes in three different ways on a box
moving with a velocity v, as the drawings show. Rank the
work done by the force F in ascending order (smallest
first):
Example: Weight lifting
If a barbell has a weight of 710 N, and the weight
lifter raises the barbell a distance of 0.65 m
above his chest. Determine the work done on the
barbell by the weight lifter during the lifting and
lowering phases. The weight is raised and
lowered at a constant velocity.
6.2 The Work-Energy Theorem and Kinetic Energy

Consider a constant net external force acting on an object.

The object is displaced a distance s, in the same direction as

the net force.

F

The work is simply W = ( F )s = (ma )s

W = m(as ) 1
2 (
= m v − v = mv − mv
2
f
2
o ) 1
2
2
f
1
2
2
o

v 2f = vo2 + 2(as )
(as ) = 12 (v 2f − vo2 )
DEFINITION OF KINETIC ENERGY

The kinetic energy KE of an object with mass m

and speed v is given by

KE = mv 1
2
2
SI unit of KE is joule (J)
THE WORK-ENERGY THEOREM

When a net external force does work on an object, the kinetic

energy of the object changes according to

W = KE f − KE o = mv − mv 1
2
2
f
1
2
2
o
Which one of the following combinations of units is equal to the
joule?

a) kg  m2/s

b) kg  m

c) kg  m/s

d) kg  m2/s2

e) kg  s
Example : Deep Space 1

The mass of the space probe is 474 kg and its initial velocity
is 275 m/s. If the 5.60x10-2 N thrust force acts on the probe
through a displacement of 2.42×109 m, what is its final speed?
 W = mv − mv1
2
2
f
1
2
2
o

W= ( F )cos s
 ( F)cos s = 1
2 mvf2 − 12 mvo2

(5.60 10 N)cos 0 (2.42 10 m) = (474 kg )v

-2  9 1
2
2
f − 12 (474 kg )(275 m s )
2

v f = 805 m s
 Example: Downhill Skiing
Given m = 58 kg, vo = 3.6 m/s and the kinetic frictional force has
a magnitude of 71 N. Find Vf at 57m downhill.

In this case the net force is  = − f k = 170 N


F mg sin 25
( F)cos s = 1
2 mv − mv
2
f
1
2
2
o

 vf = 19 m s
6.3 Gravitational Potential Energy

Work Done by the Force of

Gravity:

W = (F cos  )s
F = mg;  = 0  

Wgravity = mg (ho − h f )
Wgravity = mg (ho − h f )

Valid for any path

taken between the
initial and final heights
Example: A Gymnast on a Trampoline
The gymnast leaves the trampoline at an initial height of 1.20 m
and reaches a maximum height of 4.80 m before falling back
down. Determine the initial speed with which the gymnast
leaves the trampoline? Ignore air resistance.
W = 12 mvf2 − 12 mvo2
mg (ho − h f ) = − 12 mvo2
Wgravity = mg (ho − h f )

vo = − 2 g (ho − h f )
 Wgravity = mg (ho − h f )

Wgravity = mgho − mgh f = PE0 − PE f

DEFINITION OF GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY

The gravitational potential energy PE is the energy that an

object of mass m has by virtue of its position relative to the
surface of the earth. That position is measured by the height
h of the object relative to an arbitrary zero level:

PE = mgh
1 N  m = 1 joule (J )
6.4 Conservative Versus Nonconservative Forces

DEFINITION OF A CONSERVATIVE FORCE

Version 1 A force is conservative when the work it does

on a moving object is independent of the path between the
object’s initial and final positions.

Version 2 A force is conservative when it does no work

on an object moving around a closed path, starting and
finishing at the same point.
Version 1 A force is conservative when the work it does
on a moving object is independent of the path between the
object’s initial and final positions.

Wgravity = mg (ho − h f )
Version 2 A force is conservative when it does no work
on an object moving around a closed path, starting and
finishing at the same point.

Wgravity = mg (ho − h f ) ho = h f
 An example of a nonconservative force is the kinetic
frictional force.

W = (F cos  )s = f k (cos180 ) s = − f k s
The work done by the kinetic frictional force is always negative.
Thus, it is impossible for the work it does on an object that
moves around a closed path to be zero.

The concept of potential energy is not defined for a

nonconservative force.
In normal situations both conservative and nonconservative
forces act simultaneously on an object, so the work done by
the net external force can be written as

W = Wc + Wnc

W = KE f − KE o = KE

Wc = Wgravity = mgho − mgh f = PEo − PEf = −PE

 W = Wc + Wnc

KE = −PE + Wnc

THE WORK-ENERGY THEOREM

Wnc = KE + PE

6.5 The Conservation of Mechanical Energy

Wnc = KE + PE = (KE f − KE o ) + (PEf − PEo )

Wnc = (KE f + PEf ) − (KE o + PEo )

Wnc = E f − E o
If the net work on an object by non-conservative forces
is zero, then its energy does not change:
Wnc = 0

Ef = Eo
 THE PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF
MECHANICAL ENERGY

The total mechanical energy (E = KE + PE) of an object

remains constant as the object moves, provided that the net
work done by external nononservative forces is zero.
If friction and wind resistance are ignored, a bobsled run illustrates
how kinetic and potential energy can be interconverted.
An arrow is launched straight up from the surface of the Earth.
Which one of the following statements describes the energy
transformation of the arrow as it rises? Neglect air resistance.

a) The kinetic energy of the arrow increases and its potential

energy decreases.

b) Both the potential energy of the arrow and its total energy
increase.

c) The kinetic energy of the arrow decreases as the potential

energy increases.

d) Both the kinetic energy of the arrow and its potential energy
remain constant.

e) The total energy of the arrow increases.

Example: A Daredevil Motorcyclist
A motorcyclist is trying to leap across the canyon by driving
horizontally off a cliff at a speed of 38.0 m/s. Ignoring air
resistance, find the speed with which the cycle strikes the
ground on the other side.
Conservation of mechanical energy → E f = E o

mgh f + mv = mgho + mv
1
2
2
f
1
2
2
o

gh f + 12 v 2f = gho + 12 vo2
gh f + 12 v 2f = gho + 12 vo2

v f = 2 g (ho − h f ) + vo2
Q: You are investigating the safety of a playground slide. You
are interested in finding out what the maximum speed will be
of children sliding on it when the conditions make it very
slippery (assume frictionless). The height of the slide is 2.5
m. What is that maximum speed of a child if she starts from
rest at the top?

a) 1.9 m/s

b) 2.5 m/s

c) 4.9 m/s

d) 7.0 m/s

e) …depends on the child’s mass

Conceptual Example: The Favorite Swimming Hole
The person starts from rest, with the rope
held in the horizontal position,
swings downward, and then lets
go of the rope. Two forces
act on him: his weight and
the tension in the rope;
assuming no air resistance.

Can the principle of

conservation of energy
be used to calculate his
final speed?

(Since Wnc = WT = 0)
6.6 Nonconservative Forces and the Work-Energy Theorem

THE WORK-ENERGY THEOREM

Wnc = E f − E o

(
Wnc = mgh f + mv − mgho + mv
1
2
2
f ) ( 1
2
2
o )
Example: Fireworks
Assuming that the nonconservative force generated
by the burning propellant does 425 J of work, what
is the final speed of the rocket (m = 0.20 kg).
Ignore air resistance.

( 1
2 f ) (
Wnc = mgh f + mv − mgho + mv
2 1
2
2
o )
6.7 Power

DEFINITION OF AVERAGE POWER

Average power is the rate at which work is done, and it

is obtained by dividing the work by the time required to
perform the work.

Work W
P= =
Time t

joule s = watt (W)

Q: Engine A has a greater power rating than engine B.
Which one of the following statements correctly
describes the abilities of these engines to do work?

(a) Engines A and B can do the same amount of work,

but engine A can do it more quickly.
(b) Engines A and B can do the same amount of work in
the same amount of time.
(c) In the same amount of time, engine B can do more
work than engine A.
 Change in energy
P=
Time

1 horsepower = 550 foot  pounds second = 745.7 watts

P = Fv
Q: While you sleep, your body is using energy at a rate of 77
W. How many food calories are used during an eight hour
period? One food calorie (C) is equal to 4186 joules.

a) 66 C

b) 240 C

c) 530 C

d) 710 C

e) 1200 C
Ch6-Summary and Extra problems

Work done by a constant force:

W = (F cos  )s
Work done by a net force:
W = 12 mvf2 − 12 mvo2 = KE f − KE = KE
Work done by the force of Gravity (conservative force):
Wgravity = mgho − mgh f = PE0 − PE f = −PE

Work done by nonconservative forces:

Wnc = KE + PE
Or Wnc = E f − E o E = KE + PE

If Wnc = 0 E f = E o (mechanical energy is conserved)

[1] What is the total kinetic energy of two colliding
trains, assuming each train weighs 1.2x106 N and they
accelerate from rest with a constant acceleration of
0.26 m/s2. The initial separation distance between the
trains was 6.4 km.

Of one train
[2] The drawing shows a plane diving toward the ground and then
climbing back upward. During each of these motions, the lift force
acts perpendicular to the displacement, which has the same
magnitude, 1.7 × 103 m, in each case. The engines of the plane
exert a thrust, which points in the direction of the displacement and
has the same magnitude during the dive and the climb. The mass
of the plane is 6.0 × 103 kg.

a) Is more net work done during the dive or the climb?

b) Find the difference between the net work done during the dive
and the climb.
[3] a) What is the work done on the safe (m = 225 kg) by each
force during the displacement s (8.50 m)? b) The safe is initially
at rest. What is its speed vf at the end of the 8.50 m
displacement? [magnitude of F1= 12 N and that of F2 = 10 N]

S = 8.5 m s
mg
S = 8.5 m s
mg
[4] A 2.0 kg block of slippery cheese slides along a
frictionless track from point a to point b, as shown below.
The cheese travels through a total distance of 2.0 m along
the track, and a net vertical distance of 0.8 m. How much
work is done on the cheese by the gravitational force during
the slide?
[5] A skateboarder starts down the left side of the ramp
with v0 = 5.4 m/s. If friction and air resistance are
negligible, what would be the height h of the highest
point reached by the skateboarder on the right side of
the ramp?