Work, Energy, and Power: Formula Sheet
1. Work (W)
* **Work by a Constant Force:** The dot product of Force (**F**) and displacement (**s**) [1].
* **W = F.s = Fs cos(θ)** [2]
* `θ` is the angle between the force and displacement vectors [2].
* **Conditions for Work Done:**
* **Positive Work:** When 0° ≤ θ < 90° [3].
* **Zero Work:** When F=0, s=0, or θ = 90° [4].
* **Negative Work:** When 90° < θ ≤ 180° [5].
* **Work by a Variable Force:** Calculated by integrating the force over the displacement [6].
* **W = ∫ F ds** [6, 7]
* **Work from a Graph:** Work done is the **area under the Force-Displacement graph** [8].
* **Unit of Work:** Joule (J) [9].
#### **2. Vector Dot Product (Scalar Product)**
* **Geometric Definition:** **A.B = |A||B| cos(θ)** [10]
* **Component Form:** For **A** = a î+ a ĵ+ a k and **B** = b î+ b ĵ+ b k :
* **A.B = a b + a b + a b **
[10]
* Rules: **î.î = ĵ.ĵ = k .k = 1**; **î.ĵ = î.k = ĵ.k = 0** [11].
* **Angle Between Vectors:** **cos(θ) = (A.B) / (|A||B|)** [12].
* **Projection:** The projection of vector **F** onto vector **D** is **(F.D) / |D|** [13].
#### **3. Energy & Work-Energy Theorem**
* **Kinetic Energy (KE):** Energy of motion [14].
* **KE = ½ mv²** [14].
* **KE and Momentum (p):**
* **KE = p² / 2m** [15].
* **p = √(2m KE)** [15].
* **Work-Energy Theorem (WET):** The total work done by the net force on a body equals the
change in its kinetic energy [16].
* **W_total = ΔKE = KE_final - KE_initial** [16].
* **W_total = ½ mv² - ½ mu²** [17].
* **Potential Energy (U):** Stored energy due to position, typically against a conservative force
[18].
* The change in potential energy is the negative of the work done by the conservative force:
**ΔU = -W_conservative** [19].
* **Gravitational Potential Energy:** **U = mgh** [20].
* **Elastic Potential Energy (Spring):**
* Spring Force: **F = -kx** (k is the spring constant) [21].
* Spring Potential Energy: **U = ½ kx²** [22].
#### **4. Conservation of Energy**
* **Principle of Conservation of Mechanical Energy:** If all forces doing work on a system are
**conservative**, the total mechanical energy (KE + U) remains constant [23].
* **KE_initial + U_initial = KE_final + U_final** [24].
#### **5. Power (P)**
* **Definition:** The rate at which work is done or energy is transferred [25, 26].
* **P = Work / Time** [25].
* **Instantaneous Power:** The dot product of Force (**F**) and velocity (**v**) [27].
* **P = F.v** [27].
* **Units:** Watt (W) [26].
* 1 horsepower (hp) = 746 W [26].
#### **6. Circular Motion & Collisions**
* **Vertical Circular Motion:**
* Minimum velocity at the lowest point to just reach the horizontal position: **v = √(2gL)** [28].
* Minimum velocity at the lowest point to complete the full circle: **v = √(5gL)** [29].
* **Collisions:**
* **Conservation of Momentum:** Total linear momentum is conserved in ALL types of
collisions [30, 31].
* **m u + m u = m v + m v **
[31].
* **Coefficient of Restitution (e):** The ratio of the relative velocity of separation to the relative
velocity of approach [32].
* **e = (v - v ) /(u - u )** [33].
* **Types of Collisions:**
* **Elastic:** Both momentum and KE are conserved [34]. **e = 1** [35].
* **Inelastic:** Momentum is conserved, but KE is not [36]. **0 < e < 1** [35].
* **Perfectly Inelastic:** Bodies stick together [37]. Momentum is conserved, max KE loss [38].
**e = 0** [35].
* Common final velocity: **v = (m u + m u )(m
/ + m )**[39].