Grade 12 Science Essentials

Energy
ENERGY PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY
The ability to do work Principle of conservation of mechanical energy: The total mechanical
Unit: joules (J) energy in an isolated system remains constant. EMECHA = EMECHB
Scalar quantity The law of conservation of mechanical energy applies when there is no fric- (EP + EK )A = (EP + EK )B
Gravitational Potential Energy (EP) tion or air resistance acting on the object. In the absence of air resistance, or
Kinetic Energy (EK) 1 1
other forces, the mechanical energy of an object moving in the earth’s gravita- (m g h + m v 2 )A = (m g h + m v 2 )B
The energy an object possesses The energy an object has 2 2
tional field in free fall, is conserved.
due to its position relative to a as a result of the object’s
reference point. motion
General law of conservation of energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, merely transferred.
In the following instances the gravitational potential energy of an object is converted to kinetic energy (and vice versa), while the
Amount of energy transferred when an Amount of energy transferred
mechanical energy remains constant.
object changes position relative to the to an object as it changes
earth’s surface. speed. EXAMPLE 1: Object moving vertically EXAMPLE 2: Object moving on an inclined plane
A 2 kg ball is dropped from rest at A, determine the maximum velocity A 2 kg ball rolls at 3 m·s−1 on the ground at A, determine the maximum
1 of the ball at B just before impact. height the ball will reach at B.

EP = mg h EK = mv 2
2
g = 9,8 m·s–2, m is mass in kg, m is mass in kg,
h is height in m above the ground v is velocity in m·s–1

Example: Example:
Determine the gravitational potential Determine the kinetic energy (EP + EK )A = (EP + EK )B (EP + EK )A = (EP + EK )B
1 1 1 1
energy of a 500 g ball when it is placed of a 500 g ball when it travels (m g h + m v 2 )A = (m g h + m v 2 )B (m g h + m v 2 )A = (m g h + m v 2 )B
2 2 2 2
on a table with a height of 3 m. with a velocity of 3 m.s–1.
1 1
(2)(9,8)(4) + (2)(0 2 )
2
= (2)(9,8)(0) + (2)vB2
2
(2)(9,8)(0) + 1 (2)(32 ) = (2)(9,8)(h B ) + 1 (2)(0 2 )
2 2
EP = mg h EK = 1
m v2
2 78,4 + 0 = 0 + 1vB2 0+ 9 = 19,6h B + 0
= (0,5)(9,8)(3) 1 9
= (0,5)(32 ) vB = 78,4 = hB
= 14,7 J 2 19,6
= 2,25 J vB = 8,85 m ⋅ s−1 downwards hB = 0,46 m
EXAMPLE 3: Pendulum EXAMPLE 4: Rollercoaster
Mechanical Energy (EM) The 2 kg pendulum swings from A at 5 m·s−1 to B, on the ground, The 2 kg ball rolls on a toy rollercoaster from A, at 20 m above the
The sum of gravitational potential and kinetic energy of an where its velocity is 8 m·s−1. Determine the height at A. ground, to B where its height is 8 m and velocity is 14 m·s−1. Calculate
its starting velocity at A.
object at a point

EM = EP + EK
1
EM = mg h + 2
mv 2
EXAMPLE:
A ball, mass 500 g, is thrown horizontally through the air. The ball travels
at a velocity of 1,8m·s −1 and is 2,5 m from the ground. Determine the (EP + EK )A = (EP + EK )B (EP + EK )A = (EP + EK )B
mechanical energy of the ball. 1
(m g h + m v 2 )A =
1
(m g h + m v 2 )B
1
(m g h + m v 2 )A = (m g h +
1
m v 2 )B
2 2 2 2
EM = EP + EK (2)(9,8)(h A ) + 1 (2)(52 ) = (2)(9,8)(0) + 1 (2)(82 )
1
(2)(9,8)(20) + (2)(vA2 ) =
1
(2)(9,8)(16) + (2)(142 )
2 2 2 2
1
EM = mg h + 2
m v2 19,6h A + 25 = 0 + 64 392 + vA2 = 313,6 + 196
1 64 − 25
EM = (0,5)(9,8)(2,5) + 2
(0,5)(1,82 ) 19,6
= hA vA = 313,6 + 196 − 392
EM = 13,06 J hA = 1,99 m vA = 10,84 m ⋅ s−1 to the right
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 Grade 12 Science Essentials
Work, Energy and Power SCIENCE CLINIC 2019 ©

WORK No Work done on an object (moving at a constant velocity) if the force and NET WORK ON AN OBJECT
Work done is the transfer of energy. Work done on an displacement are perpendicular to each other. A number of forces can act on an object at the same time. Each force
object by a force is the product of the displacement Consider a man carrying a suitcase with a weight of 20 N on a ‘travelator’ can do work on the object to change the energy of the object. The net
and the component of the force parallel to the dis- moving at a constant velocity. work done on the object is the sum of the work done by each force act-
placement.
W = FΔx cos θ FA = 20 N W = Fx Δx cos θ ing on the object.

W = work (J) Fx = F cos θ If Wnet is positive, energy is added to the system.

NOTE:
F = force applied (N) If Wnet is negative, energy is removed from the system.
Work is a scalar quantity, Direc)on
Δx = displacement (m) i.e. NO DIRECTION for of mo)on
θ = Angle between F and Δx F or x! Fg = 20 N Work and Energy are SCALARS, and NOT direction specific.

The joule is the amount of work done when a force of one EXAMPLE:
newton moves its point of application one meter in the di- Calculate the net work done on a trolley where a force of 30 N is ap-
rection of the force. Δx plied to the trolley. The trolley moves 3 m to the left. The force of
FA is perpendicular to the displacement: θ = 90° ; cos 90° = 0. friction is 5 N to the right.
Work always involves two things:
Work done by applied force: Work done by frictional force:
1. A force which acts on a certain object. (F) No force in the plane of the displacement, hence, NO WORK IS DONE by
2. The displacement of that object. (Δx / Δy) FA and Fg and no energy is transferred. We can also say that FA / Fg does WA = FΔx cos θ Wf = Ff Δx cos θ
not change the potential energy (height) or kinetic energy (vertical velo- = (30)(3)cos 0 = (5)(3)cos 180
F city) of the object.
= 90 J gained = − 15 J "lost"
A force/force component in the direction of the displacement does positive
work on the object. The force increases the energy of the object. Work done by gravity Work done by normal force:
Δx Wg = FgΔx cos θ WN = FN Δx cos θ
Positive work means that energy is added to the system.
When a resultant force is applied to an object, the resultant = (Fg )(3)cos 90 = (FN )(3)cos 90
force accelerates the block across distance Δx. Work has
been done to increase the kinetic energy of the block. F Direc+on = 0J = 0J
of mo+on W = Fx Δx cos θ
Wnet = WA + Wf + WN + Wg
θ Fx = F cos θ = 90 − 15 + 0 + 0
Δx
If a resultant force is applied to an = 75 J nett energy gained
object vertically, the resultant force
Alternative method for determining net work:
lifts the block through distance Δy.
0° ≤ θ < 90° ; +1 ≥cos θ > 0 1. Draw a free body showing only the forces acting on the object.
Work has been done to increase the F
potential energy of the block. Δy A force/force component in the opposite direction of the displacement does 2. Calculate the resultant (net) force acting on the object.
“Lifting” usually implies at a constant negative work on the object. The force decreases the energy of the 3. Calculate the net work using Wnet = FnetΔx cos θ
velocity. object. Step 1: Freebody diagram
Negative work means that energy is being removed from the FN
system.
W = Fx Δx cos θ
F
Fx = F cos θ Direc+on
of mo+on FA = 30 N Ff = -5 N
θ F θ Fg
Δx
Take left as positive:
Δx
90° < θ ≤ 180° ; 0 > cos θ ≥ −1 Step 2: Calculate Fnet Step 3: Net work
Work is only done in the direction of the displacement.
Work is done by the component of the force that is parallel Fnet = FA + Ff Wnet = Fnet Δx cos θ
to the displacement. The angle between the force and the = 30 − 5 = (25)(3)cos 0
displacement is θ. If no displacement takes place due to NB: Never use a – for F in the opposite direction. The cos θ = 25 N left = 75 J gained
the applied force, no work is done. makes provision for that.
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 Grade 12 Science Essentials
Work, Energy and Power SCIENCE CLINIC 2019 ©

WORK ENERGY THEOREM NON-CONSERVATIVE FORCES POWER

(FT, FA, Ff, Fair resistance)
According to Newton’s Second Law of Motion, when a resultant force Power is the rate at which work is done OR the rate at
acts on an object, the object accelerates. This means there is a which energy is transferred.
change in velocity of the object, and therefore a change in kinetic A force is a non-conservative force if: W E
energy of the object, since Ek = ½ mv2
1. The work done by the force in moving an object from point A to P= =
WORK-ENERGY THEOREM: The work done by a net force on point B is dependent of the path taken.
Δt Δt
an object is equal to the change in the kinetic energy of the P = power (watt)
object 2. The net work done in moving an object in a closed path which starts W = work (J)
and ends at the same point is not zero. Δt = time (s)
Wnet = ΔE K
1 EXAMPLE:
Fnet Δx = 2
m(v 2f − v 2i ) A non-conservative force does not conserve mechanical energy.
A certain amount of energy is converted into other forms such as internal Calculate the power expended by an engine when an object
CONSERVATIVE FORCES energy of the particles which the objects is made of. An example of a of mass 100 kg is lifted to a height of 2,2 m in a time of 3 s,
non-conservative force is the frictional force. at a constant velocity.
A force is a conservative force if:
Consider the crate on a rough surface being pushed with a constant
W NOTE:
1. The work done by the force in mov- EP = EP force FA from position 1 to position 2 along two different paths. P=
Δt
ing an object from point A to point B
is independent of the path taken. FA FA = FΔx cos θ
Fnet = 0 N
Ff Δt
∴ Wnet = 0 J
2. The net work done in moving an Ff =
(100)(9,8)(2,2)cos 0
3 ∴ Pnet = 0 W
object in a closed path which starts
and ends at the same point is zero. = 718,67 W
FA
AVERAGE POWER (CONSTANT VELOCITY)
1 Ff 2
Conservative force conserve mechanical energy. Example of We can calculate the average power needed to keep an object
conservative forces are gravitational force and spring force. The work done by FA is more when the longer path is taken. The work moving at constant speed using the equation:
done to overcome the friction will result in the surface of the crate be-
coming hotter. This energy is dissipated (as sound and/or heat) and is Paverage = Fvaverage
very difficult to retrieve, i.e. not conserved.
Δx
Paverage = F
Δt
Note: the total energy of the system is conserved in all cases, whether
the forces are conservative or non-conservative. EXAMPLE:
Wnc = ΔE K + ΔEP A man lifts a 50 kg bag of cement from ground level up to a
The work done by gravity on each ball is independent of the path 1 height of 4 m above ground level in such a way that the bag
taken. Only the h⟂ is considered. = 2
m(v 2f − v 2i ) + mgΔh of cement moves at constant velocity (i.e. no work is done to
change kinetic energy). Determine his average power if he
does this in 10 s.
EXAMPLE: ΔEP = mgΔh ΔE K = E Kf − E Ki
= mg(h f − h i ) =
1
m(v 2f − v 2i )
An 800 kg car traveling at
= (800)(9,8)(0 − 100 sin 30∘ )
2 Paverage = Fvaverage
15 m·s−1 down a 30° hill needs 1
100 = (800)(0 2 − 152 )
to stop within 100 m to avoid m = − 392 000 J 2 Δy
= F
an accident. Using energy calcu- = − 90 000 J Δt
lations only, determine the mag- Wnc = ΔE K + ΔE P 4m = (50)(9,8)( 10
4
)
nitude of the average force that FA Δx cos θ = ΔE K + ΔEP
must be applied to the brakes = 196 W
FA (100)cos 180 = − 90 000 − 392 000
over the 100 m. Assume that
− 482 000
the surface is frictionless. FA = − 100
30° This cannot be used for object in freefall, unless the object has
FA = 4 820 N reached terminal velocity.
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 Grade 12 Science Essentials
Work, Energy and Power
When to use which formulae
CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO DETERMINE WORK DONE BY Fg ON A SLOPE
WITHOUT RESOLVING Fg INTO Fg⟂ AND Fg//
E MA = E MB
1. When an object moves up a slope 2. When an object moves down a slope
(E P + EK )A = (E P + EK )B with a known angle with a known angle

• When there are no external force (FA/Ff) present.

• Any track/pendulum with a curve that is not a straight line. 4m
4m 120° 120°
60° 60°
WORK-ENERGY PRINCIPLE 30°
Fg = 100 N
30°
Fg = 100 N

Wnet = ΔEK
1 1
= 2
mv 2f − 2 mv 2i Wg = Fg Δx cos θ Wg = Fg Δx cos θ
= (100)(4)cos 120∘ = (100)(4)cos 60∘
= − 200 J = 200 J
• If an object is accelerating on a horizontal/incline plane.
Any of the following methods may be used:

FN
FA
3. When an object moves up a slope without a 4. When an object moves down a slope without a
given angle, but with specified height given angle, but with specified height

Fg 3m 3m
30°
A. Fnet → Wnet A. Wnet = ∑W Fg = 100 N Fg = 100 N
1. Determine Fnet separately 1. Determine W of each force seperately
Fnet = FA − F f − Fg // WA = FAΔx cos θ Wg = Fg Δx cos θ Wg = Fg Δx cos θ
Fnet = FA − Ff − Fg sin θ WN = FN Δx cos θ
= (100)(3)cos 180∘ = (100)(3)cos 0∘
Fnet = FA − Ff − (100 sin 30∘ ) Wg = Fg Δx cos θ
= − 300 J = 300 J
Wf = Ff Δx cos θ

2. Apply Fnet to Wnet 2. Apply ∑W to Wnet

1 1 1 1
Wnet = Fnet Δx cos θ = m v 2 − m vi2 WA + Wf + Wg + WA = Wnet = m v 2 − m vi2
2 f 2 2 f 2

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