CHAPTER 5

WORK, ENERY AND POWER

CLASS XI PHYSICS
 WORK DONE BY A CONSTANT FORCE
• Work is said to be done by a force, when the force produces a displacement in the body in the
direction of force.
• W = force x displacement
W=FxS
W = F . S = F S cos θ
• Work is the dot product of two vectors.
• It is a scalar quantity.
• S.I. unit is Nm or joule( J ).
• The C.G.S unit is erg
• 1 J = 107 erg
• Dimension is [M L2 T-2]
• 1 joule of work is defined as a force of 1N acting on an object displaces it through 1m in the direction of
force.
 TYPES OF WORK DONE
1. Positive work : if θ < 900, then cos θ is positive and work done is positive.
Eg : when a force pulls a cart, angle θ = 0 , work done is positive.
freely falling body, stretching a spring etc.
2. Negative work : if θ > 900, then cos θ is negative and work done is negative.
Eg: frictional force, lifting an object, walking etc.
3. Zero work : if θ = 900, then cos θ is zero and work done is zero
Eg: lifting a box and walking, pushing a wall, work done by centripetal force is zero.
• A force 𝐹Ԧ = ( 3 𝑖Ƹ + 3𝑗Ƹ + 2𝑘෠ ) N moves a particle along a vector 𝑑Ԧ = ( 2 𝑖Ƹ + 5𝑗Ƹ − 3𝑘෠ ) m. find work
done?

W = 𝐹Ԧ . 𝑑Ԧ

= ( 3 𝑖Ƹ + 3𝑗Ƹ + 2𝑘෠ ) . ( 2 𝑖Ƹ + 5𝑗Ƹ − 3𝑘෠ )

= 3 x 2 + 3 x 5 + 2 x -3
= 6 + 15 – 6
= 15 J

• A force 𝐹Ԧ = ( 𝑖Ƹ + 3𝑗Ƹ + 5𝑘෠ ) N acts on a particle and displaces through 𝑑Ԧ = ( 3 𝑖Ƹ + 4𝑘෠ ) m. find
work done?
CONSERVATIVE AND NON-CONSERVATIVE FORCES

• CONSERVATIVE FORCE : A force is said to be conservative if the work done by or against that
force depends only on initial and final position and is independent of nature of path between
initial and final position.
✓ work done by a conservative force around a closed trip is zero.
Eg: gravitational force, magnetic force, electrostatic force
• NON-CONSERVATIVE FORCE : A force is said to be non-conservative if the work done by or
against that force is moving from one position to another depends on the path followed between
initial and final position.
✓ work done by a non-conservative force around a closed trip is not equal to zero.
Eg: force of friction, air resistance etc.
 WORK DONE BY A CONSTANT FORCE
• A force whose magnitude and direction remains same throughout the displacement is
called constant force.

𝐹Ԧ

force- displacement curve

𝑑Ԧ

Work done = 𝐹Ԧ . 𝑑Ԧ
= area under F-d curve
 WORK DONE BY A VARIABLE FORCE
• A force where magnitude changes with displacement
is called variable force.
• A variable force is denoted as f (x)
Consider force-displacement graph of a variable
force as shown.
If the displacement Δ x is small, then we can take the
force f (x) is approximately constant.
Then the small work done
Δ w = f (x) Δ x
To find total work done integrate with lower limit xi and upper limit x f
𝑓𝑥
W = σ𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 Δ𝑥
𝑖

area under F-x curve = work done

It can also be written as

𝑥𝑓
W = lim σ𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 Δ𝑥
Δ𝑥→0 𝑖

OR

𝑥𝑓
W= ‫𝑓 𝑥׬‬ 𝑥 ⅆ𝑥
𝑖
INTEGRAL OF SOME IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS
• ‫𝑥 = 𝑥𝑑 ׬‬

𝑛 𝑥 𝑛+1
• ‫ 𝑥 ׬‬ⅆ𝑥 =
𝑛+1

1
• න𝑥 ⅆ𝑥 = l𝑛 𝑥 = 2.303 log x

ⅆ
• ‫ ׬‬sin 𝑥 = − cos 𝑥 ⅆ𝑥
sin 𝑥 = cos 𝑥

ⅆ
• ‫׬‬cos 𝑥 = sin x ⅆ𝑥
cos 𝑥 = −sin 𝑥
 ENERGY
• The capacity/ ability to do work is called energy.
• Therefore work done is equal to energy.
• It is a scalar quantity.
• S.I. unit is joule ( J )
• CGS unit of energy is erg
• 1 erg = 10- 7 J
• Dimension is [M L2 T-2]
• I joule of energy is defined as the energy required to do 1 joule of work.
• Alternative units of energy are kilojoule, calorie and electron volt.
• 1 eV = 1.6 x 10-19 J
• 1 calorie = 4.2 J
• 1 kWh or units = 3.6 x 106 J
 MECHANICAL ENERGY
It is the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy of an object.
M.E = P.E + K.E
KINETIC ENERGY ( K )
It is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion. It is a positive scalar quatity.
K = ½ m v2
Where m is the mass and v is the speed.
Relationship between kinetic energy (E) and momentum (P)
Kinetic energy, K = ½ m v2
But P = mv , v = P/m
Substitute
𝑃2
K = ½ m x 𝑚2

𝑃2
K= or P= 2𝑚𝐾
2𝑚
WORK – ENERGY THEOREM
It states that work done by the net force on an object is equal to the change in kinetic energy of that object.
W=ΔK= Kf - K i
Proof :
WORK DONE BY A CONSTANT FORCE
Consider a body of mass m moving with a velocity v under the action of a constant force.
By Newton’s 3rd equation of motion,
v2 – u2 = 2aS
Multiply both sides by ½ m
We get,
½ mv2 – ½ m u2 = ½ m x 2 a S
½ mv2 – ½ m u2 = m a S [ ma = F , S is the displacement]
K f - K i= F . S =W
Change in kinetic energy = work done [proved]
WORK DONE BY A VARIABLE FORCE
Consider a variable force doing work
Kinetic energy , K = ½ m v2
Taking time derivative dK = f(x) dx

ⅆ𝐾 𝑑 1
= 𝑚𝑣 2 integrating
ⅆ𝑡 𝑑𝑡 2

ⅆ𝐾 1 𝑑 𝑘𝑓 𝑥
ⅆ𝑡
= 2𝑚 𝑑𝑡
𝑣2 ‫𝐾𝑑 𝑘׬‬ = ‫ 𝑓 𝑥׬‬f(x) dx
𝑖 𝑖

ⅆ𝐾 1 ⅆ𝑣
= (2𝑚)(2𝑣 2-1 ) K f - K i = W [ proved ]
ⅆ𝑡 ⅆ𝑡
ⅆ𝐾 ⅆ𝑣 ⅆ𝑣 ⅆ𝑥
=mv [ = a,v= ]
ⅆ𝑡 ⅆ𝑡 ⅆ𝑡 ⅆ𝑡

ⅆ𝐾 ⅆ𝑥
ⅆ𝑡
=m ⅆ𝑡
a

dK = m a dx = f(x) dx [ F (x) = m a ]
 POTENTIAL ENERGY ( U OR V )
• The energy possessed by a body by virtue its position or change in configuration is called
potential energy.
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY
It is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position above the surface of the Earth.
Consider a body of mass m which is lifted through a height h above the surface of the Earth by
applying a force F.
Work done = force x displacement = F . S
But F = mg and S = h
h
F =m g
W=mgxh
W=mgh
This work done is stored as the gravitational potential energy mg

That is , P.E = mgh Earth

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY
The total mechanical energy of a system is conserved if
the forces doing work on it are conservative.
A
M.E = U + K = a constant
PROOF x
Consider an object of mass m resting at a height above
the ground as shown in the figure. B
At A h
P. E = m g h h-x
K. E = 0
Total M.E = P. E + K. E C

Total M.E = m g h
LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY
At B
Suppose that the body travelled a distance x and reached A
the point B.
𝑣 2 − 𝑢2 = 2𝑎𝑆 x
𝑣 2 − 02 = 2𝑔𝑥
K. E = ½ m 𝑣 2 = ½ m . 2 𝑔 𝑥 = m g x B
P. E = m g ( h – x) h
Total M.E = P. E + K. E h-x
Total M.E = m g( h – x ) + m g x
=mgh–mgx+mgx C

=mgh
LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY
At C
C is the point just above the ground. A
𝑣 2 − 𝑢2 = 2𝑎𝑆
𝑣 2 − 02 = 2𝑔 ℎ x
𝑣 2 = 2𝑔 ℎ
K. E = ½ m 𝑣 2 = ½ m . 2𝑔 ℎ = m g h B
P. E = m g h = 0 (h=0) h
Total M.E = P. E + K. E h-x
Total M.E = 0 + m g h
=mgh C

From this it is clear that throughout the motion, mechanical energy of

the body remains the same.
GRAPHICAL VARIATION OF K.E, P.E AND M.E WITH HEIGHT FOR AN OBJECT
UNDER FREE FALL OR FOR AN OBJECT THROWN UPWARD
WORK DONE BY CONSERVATIVE FORCE ( Relationship between P.E and Conservative force )
Work done against conservative force is stored in the body as its change in potential energy.
Work done by conservative force = negative of change in potential energy
Wcf = ̶ ΔU or ̶ ΔV

• When ever conservative force (gravity, spring ) does negative work, the systems potential
energy increases.( lifting a stone against gravity, W is negative, at maximum height P.E is
maximum )
• When ever conservative force (gravity, spring ) does positive work, the systems potential
energy decreases. ( when the stone falls down, W is positive, its P.E decreases)
WORK DONE BY NON - CONSERVATIVE FORCE
By work energy theorem,
Net work done,
W = ΔK (change in kinetic energy)
W = WCF + WNCF
WCF + WNCF = ΔK
W = ΔK
But
WCF = ̶ ΔU WCF = ̶ ΔU
̶ ΔU + WNCF = ΔK
WNCF = Δ M.E
WNCF = ΔK + ΔU
WNCF = Δ M.E (change in mechanical energy)
 POTENTIAL ENERGY OF A SPRING
It is the energy associated with the state of
compression or elongation of the spring.
Consider a spring of spring constant K whose one end
is connected to a rigid support and the other end to a
block of mass m.
When the spring is compressed or elongated, a
restoring force (Fs) is developed in the spring.
Fs ∝ - x
Fs = - K x
Where K is the spring constant and x is the
displacement.
• S.I unit of K is N/m. For small K – spring is soft
• [ K ] = [ M T -2 ] For large K – spring is stiff
When the spring is elongated form its mean position
x = 0 to maximum extension x m ,
Let dx is a small extension of the spring, then the small
work done is dw.
then the work done by the spring force is,
ws = f dx
Integrating
𝑥𝑚
‫𝑑 ׬‬ws = ‫׬‬ 𝐹 𝑑𝑥
0
𝑥𝑚 𝑥𝑚
Ws = ‫׬‬ − 𝑘𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = − k ‫׬‬ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0 0
𝑥𝑚
𝑥2
Ws = − k = - ½ k 𝑥𝑚
2
2 0

Ws = - ½ k 𝑥𝑚
2
This work done is stored in the form of potential energy.
Therefore ,

U = ½ k 𝑥𝑚
2

VARIATION OF SPRING FORCE WITH DISPLACEMENT

Case 1 Fs

Fs = - k x
x = 0, Fs = 0 xm
Case 1
Case 2 (compression) xm +x
- x
x = negative , Fs = positive
Case 3 (elongation)
x = positive , Fs = negative

- Fs
SPRING FORCE – CONSERVATIVE FORCE
( Show that spring force is a conservative force)

Suppose the spring is displaced from initial position xi to final position xf and then come back to
xi .
Therefore, x f = x i
Then the total work done
𝑥
W = ‫ 𝑖 ׬‬− 𝑘𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝑖
𝑥𝑖
𝑥2
W=−k = - ½ k ( 𝑥𝑖2 - 𝑥𝑖2 ) = 0
2 𝑥𝑖
This proves that spring force is a conservative force because work done by a conservative force
around a closed path is zero.
Mechanical energy of the spring at any arbitrary point:

When the spring compressed or elongated, then the spring will execute a to and fro motion about its
mean position or it is said to simple harmonic motion( SHM )
Throughout the motion, mechanical energy is conserved since spring force is a conservative force

EXPRESSION FOR MAXIMUM VELOCITY OF A SPRING

By law of conservation of mechanical energy,

Maximum potential energy at extreme position = Maximum kinetic energy at mean position
½ k 𝑥𝑚
2
= ½ m 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥
2

𝑘
2
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2
𝑥𝑚
𝑚

𝑘 2
𝑣max = 𝑥𝑚
𝑚

𝑘
𝑣max = 𝑥𝑚
𝑚
VARIATION OF POTENTIAL ENERGY AND KINETIC ENERGY OF OSCILLATING SPRING
 VERTICAL CIRCULAR MOTION
Consider an object of mass m attached to a string and whirled in a
vertical circle of radius r.
Let v1 and v2 be the velocities of the body and T1 and T2 be the
tensions in the string at highest point A and lowest point B
respectively.
Velocity at the highest position A
T1 + mg = Fc

𝑚𝑣12
T1 = - mg ---------------- (1)
𝑟
At the lowest point B

𝑚𝑣22
T2 – m g =
𝑟

𝑚𝑣22
T2 = m g + 𝑟
---------------- (2)

When a particle is rotating vertically in a circle, tension is

maximum at the lowest position and minimum at the
highest position.
Let us suppose that if the object is moving with minimum
velocity without slacking the string.
So tension at the highest point is zero.
T1 = 0
Therefore equation (1) can be written as,

𝑚𝑣12
0 + mg =
𝑟
𝑚𝑣12
mg =
𝑟
𝑣12 = g r
𝒗𝟏 = 𝒈 𝒓
This is the minimum velocity a body should possess
at the top, so that it can just loop the vertical circle
without slacking the string.
Velocity at the lowest position B
UB = m g h = 0 (h = 0) K A = ½ m v12 , KB = ½ m v22
UO = m g h = m g r (h = r)
UA = m g h = m g x 2 r = 2 m g r ( h = BO + OA )

𝑚𝑣22
T2 - mg =
𝑟

𝑚𝑣22
T2 = +mg
𝑟

According to principle of conservation of energy,

Total energy at B = total energy at A
UB + KB = UA + KA
 𝒗𝟏
0 + ½ m v22 = 2 m g r + ½ m v12 , 𝒗𝟏 = 𝒈 𝒓 v3
= 𝒈𝒓
= 𝟑𝒈𝒓
v22 = 4 g r + v12 = 4 g r +( 𝒈 𝒓) 2 ,

v2 = 𝟓𝒈𝒓
This is the minimum velocity at the lowest point B so that the body can
safely go around the vertical circle.
Velocity at point C
v2 = 𝟓𝒈𝒓
Uc = m g r Kc = ½ m v32 ,v2 = 𝟓𝒈𝒓
Total energy at B = total energy at C 𝒗𝟏 = 𝒗𝑨 = 𝒈 𝒓
½ m v22 = m g r + ½ m v32 v2 = 𝒗𝑩 = 𝟓 𝒈 𝒓
v3 = 𝒗𝑪 = 𝟑 𝒈 𝒓
v22 = 2 g r + v32

( 𝟓 𝒈 𝒓) 2 = 2 g r + v32 T A = T1 = 0
v32 = 5 g r - 2 g r = 3 g r T B = T2 = 6 m g
v3 = 𝟑𝒈𝒓 T c = T3 = 3 m g