CENTRE HIGH: PHYSICS 30

UNIT 1: CONSERVATION LAWS

Lesson 2: Work and Energy

Reading:
Heath pp. 280 - 286 Ladner pp. 1 - 2

Energy is an excellent perspective on the world for two reasons: 1. Scalar - its does not depend on the direction of motion - no need for vector math (tail-to-tip / components)
2. Conserved - total energy remains constant throughout a motion But how were all the energy formulas created? Using the concept of work

Work is a bridge between dynamics and energetics

Work

Force

Energy

Why?

Work is a bridge between dynamics and energetics

Work W = Fd cos Force W=E Energy

Work has two definitions: - a force definition (W = F d cos ) - an energy definition (W = E)

Work is a bridge between dynamics and energetics

Work W = Fd cos Force W=E Energy

If we combine equations, W = W E = F d cos

So, work provides a way to relate force and energy

B. Work (Dynamic)
- work is what a force "accomplishes" - work is done only when a force moves an object (or resists that motion)

If the object stays at rest, then you are doing no work!

At rest = No work!

This is true no matter how hard you push

When you move the object, you are doing work

F motion

When you move the object, you are doing work

F motion

If your force causes the object's motion, you are doing positive work ("helping the motion")

When you resist the motion of the object, you are doing work
F motion

When you resist the motion of the object, you are doing work
F motion

If your force resists the object's motion, you are doing negative work ("resisting the motion")

If your force is perpendicular to the motion (e.g. carrying a box), you are doing no work
F motion

Why are you doing no work? Are you not lifting the box?

If your force is perpendicular to the motion (e.g. carrying a box), you are doing no work
F motion

You are neither helping nor hurting the motion. The object moves forward due to inertia.

B1. Work Done by a Constant Force

Formula: WF = F d cos Units: Joules (J)

where F = magnitude of constant force applied (in N) d = magnitude of displacement (in m) = angle between F and d i.e. F

Note 1:
Based on the equation W = F d cos , what is an equivalent unit for a Joule?

Note 1:
Based on the equation W = F d cos , what is an equivalent unit for a Joule? 1J = 1 Nm

Note 2. Work is a scalar

- it has no direction (even though it can be positive or negative)

- however, it does indicate the nature (direction) of the force

If work is positive, the force is helping the motion If work is negative, the force is resisting the motion

Note 3. There are two possible equations for calculating the work done by the net external force (Fnet):
Wnet = Fnet d cos Wnet = scalar sum of all the works = W1 + W2 + W3 + ...

Ex. 1 A block is pulled forward at a constant speed of 2.4 m/s for 6.0 s.
FR = 250 N 30 F Find the work done by the force FR. Interpret.

Solution:
Find d: v = d t

WR = FR d cos

d = v t = (2.40 m/s) (6.0 s) = 14.4 m

FR
30

150
d

Notice that the angle between F and d is not 30. Rather, it is 150

FR
30

150
d

WR = FR d cos WR = (250 N) (14.4 m) cos 150 = -3118 J

= -3.1 103 J

Negative means FR resists the motion

Ex. 2 A 15.0 kg block is being accelerated forward at 4.0 m/s2.

a = 4.0 m/s2 Ff = 85.0 N F

If this occurs over a displacement of 7.0 m, find the work done by F.

Method 1:
WF = F d cos

Before we can solve this equation, we need to find F

a = 4.0 m/s2
Ff = 85.0 N F

Reference system: Right is positive Left is negative

a = 4.0 m/s2
Ff = 85.0 N F

Fnet = m a = (15.0 kg) (+4.0 m/s2) = +60.0 N

a = 4.0 m/s2
Ff = 85.0 N F

Fnet = m a = (15.0 kg) (+4.0 m/s2) = +60.0 N Fnet = F + Ff +60.0 N = F + (-85.0 N) F = 145.0 N to the right

d
F WF = F d cos = (145.0 N) (7.0 m) cos 0

Since F and d are in the same direction, the angle is 0 (i.e. there is no angle between them)

d
F WF = F d cos = (145.0 N) (7.0 m) cos 0 = + 1.0 103 J

Positive work means that the force is causing (helping) the motion

Method 2:
Fnet = ma = (15.0 kg) (4.0 m/s2) = 60.0 N Wnet = Fnet d cos = (60.0 N) (7.0 m) cos 0 = 420 J Fnet

WFf = Ff d cos = (85.0 N) (7.0 m) cos 180 = - 595 J

Wnet = WF + WFf WF = Wnet - WFf = (420 J) - (-595 J) = 1.0 x 103 J Check: 2 sig digs ; units

Ff
d

Practice Problems:
Try: Ladner p.4 #1 - 5, 7, 9 - 12

B2. Work done by a Changing Force Consider a force that changes during the displacement F (N)

d (m)

How would you calculate work done?

F (N)

d (m)

You can't use the formula WF = F d cos

What value would you use for F if it is always changing?

F (N)

Positive work (F is above the axis)

d (m) Negative work (F is below axis) Work = Area between the line and the axis for a F - d graph

Ex. 3

F (x 102 N)
3.50

1.50

0.900

d (m)

Calculate the work done by this force when it moves the object 0.900 m.

Solution:
W = Area between line and axis

F (x 102 N)
3.50

1.50 0.900 d (m)

W = Areatriangle + Arectangle

F (x 102 N)
3.50

1.50 0.900 d (m)

W = Areatriangle + Arectangle = 0.5 (0.900 m) (2.00 x 102 N) + (0.900 m) (1.50 x 102 N) = 135 J + 90 J Note: 1 N m = 1 J = 225 J

Practice Problems:
Try: Ladner p.4 #13, 14

SUMMARY 1. What are two advantages of energetics?

2. What does it mean when work is: a) positive? b) negative? c) zero? 3. When can you use the formula WF = F d cos ? What does each letter mean?

SUMMARY 1. What are two advantages of energetics? Scalar and conserved 2. What does it mean when work is: a) positive? F is helping the motion b) negative? F is resisting the motion c) zero? F is perpendicular to the motion or The object is not moving
3. When can you use the formula WF = F d cos ? What does each letter mean?

3. When can you use the formula WF = F d cos ? What does each letter mean?
Only when F is constant (otherwise, area under graph)

F = mag of constant force d = mag of displacement = angle between F and d