Work, Energy and Power

Work: Work is said to be done when a force displaces a body through some distance along the
direction of a force. It is measured as the product of the magnitude of force and the distance the
body covers along the direction of force.
Work done by the constant force
When a constant force F displaces a body through the
distance S along the direction of force then work done by
the force F is given by
𝑊 = 𝐹⃗ . 𝑆⃗
𝑾 = 𝑭𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽, where 𝜃 is the angle between 𝐹⃗ and 𝑆⃗
• If 𝜃 = 0, 𝑊 = 𝐹𝑆 i.e. work is maximum.
• If 𝜃 = 90, 𝑊 = 0 i.e. no work is done when the force is ⊥r to the direction of motion.
Work done by a variable force
When the force varies, the work done is calculated by the method of integration. Let 𝑑𝑊 be the
small amount of work done by the force F in displacing the body through a small distance 𝑑𝑠
then
𝑑𝑊 = 𝐹. 𝑑𝑠
Here 𝐹 is supposed to be nearly constant through very small distance 𝑑𝑠. Therefore, the total
amount of work done in displacing a body between two points s1 and s2 is
𝑆
𝑊 = ∫𝑆 2 𝐹. 𝑑𝑠
1

In this condition, we can

also use a force-
displacement graph to
calculate the work done.
The area under the force-displacement graph gives the total work done.
Area of single-shaded strip = 𝐹. d𝑠 = 𝑑𝑤
𝑆
Area under 𝐹 − 𝑆 graph = ∫𝑆 2 𝐹. 𝑑𝑠 =total work done = 𝑤
1

Energy
The energy of a body is defined as the capacity to do work. It is a scalar quantity. There are
many types of energy mechanical energy, heat energy, light energy etc. The mechanical energy
is of two types one is kinetic energy and other is potential energy.

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Kinetic energy
The K.E. of a body is defined as the capacity to do work by virtue of its motion. In other words,
it is defined as the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion. Example: moving bus,
moving air, moving water in a river etc.
Expression for Kinetic energy
Let us consider a body of mass m initially at rest on the horizontal surface. When a constant
force 𝐹 is applied to a body, its final velocity becomes 𝑣 after
travelling a distance 𝑠.
If 𝑎 is the acceleration of the body then
𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠 = 2𝑎𝑠 ……….(1)
𝑣2
𝑎 = 2𝑠 …………. (2)

The work done, 𝑊 = 𝐹. 𝑠 = 𝑚. 𝑎. 𝑠 …………(3)

From (2) and (3),
𝑣2 1
𝑊 = 𝑚 2𝑠 𝑠 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2

This work produces the motion on a body which is equal to the K.E. of the body.
1
∴ 𝐾. 𝐸 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2 .

Work Energy Theorem

Suppose a body of mass m moving on a horizontal surface with constant velocity 𝑢. Let a
constant force 𝐹 is applied to a body so that its velocity becomes 𝑣 after travelling a distance 𝑠.
Then, increase in K.E. of the body
1 1
= 2 𝑚𝑣 2 – 2 𝑚𝑢2
1
= 2 𝑚 (𝑣 2 – 𝑢2 )
1
= 𝑚. 2𝑎𝑠
2

= 𝑚𝑎. 𝑠
= 𝐹𝑠
= work done by the force 𝐹
Therefore, work done by the resultant force = increase in K.E. which is called the work-energy
theorem.
Relation between kinetic energy and momentum
1 1 𝑚2 𝑣 2 𝑃2
We know E = 2 𝑚𝑣 2 = 2 . 𝑚
= 2𝑚
𝑃2
∴ 𝐸 = 2𝑚
2
 1
For constant momentum (P), 𝐸 ∝ 𝑚 i.e. the lighter body has greater kinetic energy.
𝐸 𝑚
Also 𝐸2 = 𝑚1
1 2

Similarly, 𝑃 = √2𝑚𝐸
For constant kinetic energy, 𝑃 ∝ √𝑚 i.e. the heavier body has greater momentum
𝑃 𝑚
Also 𝑃2 = √𝑚2
1 1

Potential Energy
The energy possessed by the body by virtue of its position or its configuration is called P.E. In
other words, the potential energy of a body is defined as the capacity to do work by virtue of its
position. Example: an object lies above the ground, compressed spring
compressed gas.
Expression for potential energy (gravitational potential energy)
Consider a body of mass m lies on the surface of the earth. The body is attracted
by a force equal to its weight mg. If it is taken to a height h above the ground
work is done against gravity.
i.e. work done 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ.
This work done will be stored in the body as gravitational potential energy.
So, gravitational potential energy = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
Principle of conservation of energy
It states that the energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but it can be changed (converted)
from one form to another. In other words, the total energy of an isolated system remains
constant.
Conservation of energy of a freely falling body
Consider a body of mass m lies at point A which is at a height h from the
ground as in fig. Suppose the body falls freely under gravity so its
acceleration is g. After a certain time, it falls through the distance 𝑥 and
reaches point B which is at a height ℎ – 𝑥 from the ground. As the body
falls down, its velocity goes on increases. Finally, the body strikes the
ground at C.
At point A, the body is at rest.
So, K.E. of the body = 0
P.E of the body = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
Total energy of the body = 𝐾. 𝐸 + 𝑃. 𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ …………………(1)
At point B,
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𝑃. 𝐸 of a body = 𝑚𝑔(ℎ – 𝑥)
If 𝑣𝑏 be the velocity of B, then
𝑣𝑏2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠
𝑣𝑏2 = 0 + 2𝑔𝑥 = 2𝑔𝑥
1 1
Therefore, K.E of a body = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑏2 = 2 𝑚. 2𝑔𝑥 = 𝑚𝑔𝑥

Total energy = 𝐾. 𝐸 + 𝑃. 𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔𝑥 + 𝑚𝑔ℎ – 𝑚𝑔𝑥 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ ……………(2)

At point C, 𝑃. 𝐸 of a body = 𝑚𝑔ℎ = 0
If 𝑣𝑐 be the velocity of the body at point C, then
𝑣𝑐2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠
= 0 + 2𝑔ℎ = 2𝑔ℎ
1 1
𝐾. 𝐸 of a body = 2 𝑚𝑣𝑐2 = 2 𝑚. 2𝑔ℎ = 𝑚𝑔ℎ

Total energy = 𝐾. 𝐸 + 𝑃. 𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ …………..(3)

Hence, from the equation (1), (2) and (3), we can see that the
total mechanical energy of the freely falling body is conserved. In other words, the principle of
conservation of energy holds true in the case of a freely falling body. The variation of potential
and kinetic energy with height is shown in the figure.
Conservative force
A force is said to be conservative if the work done by it in moving a particle around the closed
path is zero. It is independent of the path followed by the particle but depends on the initial and
final points.
For conservative force
• Work done by the conservative force in a closed path is zero.
• Work done by the conservative force is independent of the path followed
• Work done by the conservative force depends on the initial and final position of a
body i.e. displacement
• A conservative force is central.
• Mechanical energy is conserved under conservative force.
• Gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces are examples of conservative forces.
Non-conservative force
A force is said to be non-conservative if the work done by it in moving a particle around the
closed path is not zero. It depends on the path followed by the particle.
For non-conservative force
• Work done by a non-conservative force in a closed path is not zero.

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 • Work done by a non-conservative force depends on the path followed.
• Mechanical energy is not conserved.
• The frictional forces are non-conservative forces
Differences between conservative and non-conservative forces

Conservative force Non-conservative force

1. Work done by it in moving a particle around 1. Work done by it in moving a particle around
the closed path is zero the closed path is not zero

2. It is independent of the path followed by the 2. It depends on the path followed by the particle
particle but depends on initial and final points.

3. Conservative forces are central. 3. Non-conservative forces may not be central.

4. Mechanical energy is conserved under 4. Mechanical energy is not conserved under

conservative force. non-conservative force.

5. Gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces 5. The frictional forces are non-conservative
are examples of conservative forces. forces

Collision
It is the process in which a particle interacts with another particle and exchanges its energy and
momentum. Based on whether the K.E is conserved or not the collisions are divided into two
types; one is elastic collision and other is inelastic collision
Elastic collision
The collisions in which both the momentum and kinetic energy of the system remain conserved
are called elastic collisions. In elastic collision,
• momentum is conserved
• the total energy of the system is conserved
• the K.E. of the system is conserved
• the forces involved are conservative
• mechanical energy is not converted into another form of energy such as sound, light,
heat etc.
• E.g. collisions between atomic particles, nucleus particles and gas molecules
Inelastic collision
The collisions in which the momentum of the system is conserved and kinetic energy is not
conserved are called inelastic collisions.
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In inelastic collision
• the momentum is conserved
• the K.E of the system is not conserved
• the total energy of the system is conserved
• the forces involved are non-conservative
• some part of mechanical energy is converted into another form of energy such as
heat, sound, light etc.
• E.g.: the collision between the vehicles.
Differences between elastic and inelastic

Elastic collision Inelastic collision

1. It is the collisions in which both the 1. It is the collisions in which the momentum
momentum and kinetic energy of the system of the system is conserved and kinetic energy
remain conserved. is not conserved

2. The forces involved are conservative. 2. Forces involved are non-conservative.

3. Mechanical energy is not converted into 3. Mechanical energy is converted into

another form of energy such as sound, light, another form of energy such as sound, light,
heat etc. heat etc.

4. Eg. collisions between atomic particles, 4. Eg: the collision between the vehicles.
nucleus particles and gas molecules

Elastic collision in one dimension

Let us consider two bodies of masses m1 and m2 moving with velocity u1 and u2 respectively
undergoing elastic collision as in Fig. After collision, the body m1 moves with velocity v1 and
m2 with velocity v2.

From the principle of conservation of momentum

𝑚1 𝑢1 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 = 𝑚1 𝑣1 + 𝑚2 𝑣2 ………..(i)
𝑚1 (𝑢1 – 𝑣1 ) = 𝑚2 (𝑣2 – 𝑢2 ) ……………(ii)
Since the collision is elastic, so K.E before collision = K.E after collision
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 1 1 1 1
𝑚 𝑢2 + 2 𝑚2 𝑢22 = 2 𝑚1 𝑣12 + 2 𝑚2 𝑣22
2 1 1

or 𝑚1 (𝑢12 – 𝑣12 ) = 𝑚2 (𝑣22 – 𝑢22 …………………….(iii)

Dividing (iii) by (ii)
𝑢1 + 𝑣1 = 𝑣2 + 𝑢2
 𝑢1 – 𝑢2 = 𝑣2 – 𝑣1 …………….(iv)
The relative velocity of the approach (𝑢1 – 𝑢2 ) before collision is equal to the relative velocity
of separation (𝑣2 – 𝑣1 ) after collision.
Velocity after collision
From equation (iv)
𝑣2 = 𝑢1 − 𝑢2 + 𝑣1
Substituting this value in equation (i) we get
𝑚1 𝑢1 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 = 𝑚1 𝑣1 + 𝑚2 (𝑢1 − 𝑢2 + 𝑣1 )
𝑚1 𝑢1 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 = 𝑚1 𝑣1 + 𝑚2 𝑢1 − 𝑚2 𝑢2 + 𝑚2 𝑣1
𝑚1 𝑢1 −𝑚2 𝑢1 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 = 𝑚1 𝑣1 + 𝑚2 𝑣1
(𝑚1 − 𝑚2 )𝑢1 + 2𝑚2 𝑢2 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )𝑣1
(𝒎𝟏 −𝒎𝟐 )𝒖𝟏 +𝟐𝒎𝟐 𝒖𝟐
∴ 𝒗𝟏 = ……….. (v)
𝒎𝟏 +𝒎𝟐
(𝒎𝟐 −𝒎𝟏 )𝒖𝟐 +𝟐𝒎𝟏 𝒖𝟏
Similarly, 𝒗𝟐 = ……….. (vi)
𝒎𝟏 +𝒎𝟐

Special Cases:
I . When 𝒎𝟏 = 𝒎𝟐 = 𝒎
Then equation (v) and (vi) becomes
𝑣1 = 𝑢2 and 𝑣2 = 𝑢1
i.e. if two bodies of equal masses suffer elastic collision, after collision they will exchange their
velocities.
II. When 𝒖𝟐 = 𝟎 i.e. second at rest
Then equation (v) and (vi) becomes
𝑚 −𝑚
𝑣1 = 𝑚1+𝑚2 𝑢1 ……….(vii)
1 2

2𝑚1
𝑣2 = 𝑚 𝑢1 ……….(viii)
1 +𝑚2

a. When 𝒎𝟏 = 𝒎𝟐 = 𝒎
Then equation (vii) and (viii) becomes
𝑣1 = 0 and 𝑣2 = 𝑢1
i.e. if two bodies of equal masses suffer elastic collision, after collision they will exchange their
velocities.

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b. When 𝒎𝟏 ≫ 𝒎𝟐 (𝒎𝟐 ≅ 𝟎)
Then equation (vii) and (viii) becomes
𝑣1 = 𝑢1 and 𝑣2 ≅ 2𝑢1
i.e. velocity of a massive body remains the same but the velocity of a lighter body is double the
velocity of a massive body.
c. When 𝒎𝟐 ≫ 𝒎𝟏 (𝒎𝟏 ≅ 𝟎)
Then equation (vii) and (viii) becomes
𝑣1 ≅ − 𝑢1 and 𝑣2 ≅ 0
i.e. lighter body turns back with the same velocity but a massive body remains at rest.
Coefficient of restitution
It is found that the relative velocity of separation (𝑣2 – 𝑣1 ) after the collision is directly
proportional to the relative velocity of the approach (𝑢1 – 𝑢2 ) before collision
i.e.(𝑣2 – 𝑣1 ) ∝ (𝑢1 – 𝑢2 )
(𝑣2 – 𝑣1 ) = 𝑒 (𝑢1 – 𝑢2 ) where 𝑒 is proportionality constant called the Coefficient of restitution
(𝒗 – 𝒗 )
∴ 𝒆 = (𝒖𝟐 – 𝒖𝟏 )
𝟏 𝟐

Therefore, the coefficient of restitution is defined as the ratio of the relative velocity of
separation after collision to the relative velocity of approach before collision.
For a perfectly elastic collision 𝑒 = 1
For perfectly inelastic collision 𝑒 = 0
In general, 0 < 𝑒 < 1
Inelastic collision
In a completely inelastic collision, two bodies stick together and move with a common velocity
after collision.
Let two bodies of mass m1 and m2 move with velocities u1 and u2 respectively. After collision,
they stick together and move with common velocity v.

From the conservation of momentum

m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1 + m2) v -----------------(1)
1 1
K.E before collision E1 = 2m1u12 + m2u22
2
1
K.E. after collision E2 = 2 (m1 + m2) v2

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𝐸2 (𝑚1 +𝑚2 )𝑉 2
=𝑚 2 2
𝐸1 1 𝑢1 +𝑚2 𝑢2

𝐸 (𝑚1 +𝑚2 )𝑉 2
If 𝑢2 = 0 then 𝐸2 = …………… (2)
1 𝑚1 𝑢12

Substituting the value of V from (1)

𝐸2 (𝑚1 +𝑚2 )(𝑚1 𝑢1 +𝑚2 𝑢2 )2 𝑚12 𝑢12
= = (𝑚
𝐸1 𝑚1 𝑢12 (𝑚1 +𝑚2 )2 2
1 +𝑚2 )𝑚1 𝑢1

𝐸2 𝑚1
=𝑚
𝐸1 1 +𝑚2

∴ 𝐸1 > 𝐸2
Power
The rate of doing work is called power
𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒
i.e. power = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑊 𝐹.𝑆
𝑃= = = 𝐹. 𝑉
𝑡 𝑡