💡 Physics Fundamentals: Work,
Energy, and Power
Comprehensive Notes for Conceptual Clarity
I. The Concept of Work Done (W)
Definition: Work is said to be done only when a force applied to an object
causes **displacement** of that object in the direction of the force.
Core Requirement: Work requires both a force and movement in the direction of
that force.
No Work: If force is applied but the object does not shift (zero displacement),
work done is zero (e.g., pushing a stationary wall).
Mathematical Formulation
Basic Case (Force and Displacement in Same Direction):
W = F ⋅ s
Where:
F = Magnitude of the force ( Newtons, N )
s = Distance/displacement moved ( meters, m )
General Case (Force at an Angle):
W = F cosθ ⋅ s
(θ = angle between the force vector F and the displacement vector s)
Work Sign Convention
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ANGLE WORK
CONDITION EXAMPLE
($\THETA$) ($W$)
Same Direction 0° Positive Pushing a box across the floor.
Gravity acting on a satellite in circular
Perpendicular 90° Zero
orbit.
Opposite 180° Negative Friction opposing a moving object.
Direction
Unit of Work
SI Unit: Joule (J)
Conversion: 1 J = 1 N ⋅ m (One Joule is the work done when a force of 1 Newton
moves an object by 1 meter).
Nature: Work is a scalar quantity (magnitude only).
II. Energy (E)
Definition: Energy is the **ability of a body to do work**. Whenever work is
done, energy is used up.
SI Unit: Joule (J) (Same as work).
Nature: Energy is a scalar quantity.
Forms and Transformation
Energy exists in various forms (Kinetic, Potential, Chemical, Heat, Light, Electrical,
etc.). Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only change from one
form to another (The Law of Conservation of Energy).
Transformation Examples:
Electrical → Light + Heat (Electric Bulb)
Chemical → Electrical (Battery)
Potential Energy → Kinetic Energy (Falling Object)
A. Kinetic Energy (K.E.) 🏃
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Definition: The energy a body possesses due to its **motion**.
KE = (1/2)mv²
Where m is mass and v is velocity.
B. Potential Energy (P.E.) ⏫
Definition: The energy possessed by a body due to its **position or state of shape**.
Gravitational P.E. (Position):
PE = mgh
(where h is vertical height and g is acceleration due to gravity). This is the work done
against gravity.
Elastic P.E. (Shape): Stored in a compressed spring or stretched rubber band.
Mechanical Energy: The sum of Kinetic and Potential energies: ME = KE + PE.
III. Power (P)
Definition: Power is defined as the **rate at which work is done** or the rate at
which energy is transferred. It measures how quickly work is done.
Formula
P = W/t or P = E/t
Where:
W = Work done ( J )
E = Energy transferred ( J )
t = Time taken ( s )
Units of Power
SI Unit: Watt (W)
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Conversion: 1 W = 1 J/s.
Other Units: Kilowatt (kW, 1 kW = 1000 W) and Horsepower (hp, 1 hp ≈ 746 W).
Commercial Unit of Energy
Electrical energy is measured in kilowatt-hour (kWh), often called one "unit" of
electricity.
1 kWh = 3.6 × 10⁶ J
📝 Quick Reference Summary Table
CONCEPT DEFINING PRINCIPLE FORMULA SI UNIT
Force causing displacement in its Joule
Work (W) W = F cosθ ⋅ s
direction. (J)
Kinetic Energy Joule
Energy due to motion. KE = (1/2)mv²
(KE) (J)
Potential Energy PE = mgh Joule
Energy due to position/shape.
(PE) (Gravitational) (J)
Rate of doing work/transferring Watt
Power (P) P = W/t
energy. (W)
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