Dynamics (Work, Energy and Power)

Work
The study of machines, both simple and complex, is in one sense a study of the energy of mechanical work.
This is true because all machines transfer input energy, or the work done on the machine, to output energy,
or the work done by the machine.
Work, in the mechanical sense of the term, is done when a resistance is overcome by a force acting through
a measurable distance. Two factors are involved: (1) component of the force in the direction of displacement
and (2) movement through a distance. As an example, suppose a small aircraft is stuck in the snow. Two
men push against it for a period of time, but the aircraft does not move. According to the technical
definition, no work was done in pushing against the aircraft. Also, if the force is perpendicular to the
displacement, then zero work is done.

By definition, work is accomplished only when an object is displaced some distance against a resistive force.
To calculate work, the following formula is used:
Work = Force (F) distance (s) cos

U Fs cos
The unit of work done U is Nm or Joules (J) for SI Unit and ft.lb for Imperial Unit.
Example 1: How much work is accomplished by jacking a 150,000-lb Airbus A-320 airplane a vertical
height of 3 ft?

MIET6316C Apply basic scientific principles and techniques

College of Science, Engineering and Health
School of Engineering (TAFE)

Class Notes
1

Prepared by Yadana Wai

Example 2: A boy pulls his sand sled a distance of 10 m along a horizontal section of the beach, using a rope
as shown below. If the tension in the rope is 40N, calculate the work done on the sled.

Energy
Energy is typically defined as something that gives us the capacity to perform work. As individuals, saying
that we feel full of energy is probably indicating that we can perform a lot of work. Energy can be classified
as one of two types: either potential or kinetic.

Potential Energy
Potential energy is defined as being energy at rest, or energy that is stored. Potential energy may be
classified into three groups: (1) that due to position, (2) that due to distortion of an elastic body, and (3) that
which produces work through chemical action. Water in an elevated reservoir, and an airplane raised off the
ground sitting on jacks are examples of the first group; a stretched bungee cord on a Piper Tri-Pacer or
compressed spring are examples of the second group; and energy in aviation gasoline, food, and storage
batteries are examples of the third group.
To calculate the potential energy of an object due to its position, as in height, the following formula is used:
Potential Energy = Weight Height
P.E mgh

The unit of potential energy P.E is Joules (J) for SI Unit and ft.lb for Imperial Unit.
Example 3: (a) Find the potential energy, relative to a turbine of 1 litre of water which is part of storage 200
meters above the turbine shown below. (b) If the turbine is 700 m above sea level find the potential energy
of the water relative to sea level (1 litre of water has a mass of 1 kg).

MIET6316C Apply basic scientific principles and techniques

College of Science, Engineering and Health
School of Engineering (TAFE)

Class Notes
2

Prepared by Yadana Wai

Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is defined as being energy in motion. An airplane rolling down the runway or a rotating
flywheel on an engine are both examples of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy has the same units as potential
energy. To calculate the kinetic energy for something in motion, the following formula is used:
Kinetic Energy = (1/2) Mass Velocity2
K .E

1 2
mv
2

The unit of kinetic energy K.E is Joules (J) for SI Unit and ft.lb for Imperial Unit.
Example 4: Boeing 777 weighing 600,000 lb is moving down the runway on its take-off roll with a velocity
of 200 ft/s. How many foot-pounds of kinetic energy does the airplane possess?

Example 5: A pile driver with mass 10,000 kg strikes a pile with velocity 10.0 m/s as shown below.
(a) What is the kinetic energy of the driver as it strikes the pile?
(b) If the pile is driven 20.0 cm into the ground, what force is applied to the pile by the driver as it strikes the
pile? Assume that all the kinetic energy of the driver is converted to work.

MIET6316C Apply basic scientific principles and techniques

College of Science, Engineering and Health
School of Engineering (TAFE)

Class Notes
3

Prepared by Yadana Wai

Law of Conservation of Energy

"Energy cannot be created or destroyed... it can only be changed."
Total Energy before=Total Energy After

This photovoltaic panel is transforming solar energy into electrical energy.

Example 6: A steel ball bearing of mass 50 grams is dropped from a height of 2 meters on to a smooth flat
rigid steel plate and rebounds to a height of 1.75 meters. Calculate:
(i) Its original potential energy
(ii) Its kinetic energy the instant before it hits;
(iii)Its kinetic energy the instant it starts to rebound
(iv) The velocity upon impact
(v) How do you account for the apparently lost energy of the collision?

Example 7:
(i) A horizontal force of 420N is used to push a 100 kg crate for 5 m across a level warehouse floor. How
much work is done?
(ii) The 420N force is instead exerted on the crate at an angle of 35 above the horizontal. How much
work is done now?
MIET6316C Apply basic scientific principles and techniques
College of Science, Engineering and Health
School of Engineering (TAFE)

Class Notes
4

Prepared by Yadana Wai

Power
The concept of power involves the topic of work and energy, power is how long it takes to accomplish the
work or the rate of energy consumption. The formula for power is as follows:
Power = work done time take
Power

U Fs

t
t

s
velocity " v "
t
Power F .v
Since

The unit of Power is Joules per second (J/s) which is known as Watt for SI Unit and ft.lb/s for Imperial
Unit.
However, come applications measure power in horse power and the unit conversion is given as below.
Note: 1 horse power (1 hp) = 746 watt or 550 ft-lb/s

Example 8: A 525-kg steel beam is raised 30.0 m in 25.0 s. How many kilowatts of power are needed?
Example 9: Each of the two jet engines in a Boeing 767 airliner develops a thrust force of 19700N. When
the airplane is flying at 250 m/s, what horsepower does each engine develop?

MIET6316C Apply basic scientific principles and techniques

College of Science, Engineering and Health
School of Engineering (TAFE)

Class Notes
5

Prepared by Yadana Wai