Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

Chapter 5
Work and Energy
James Prescott Joule

Born 24 December 1818

Died 11 October 1889

Nationality English

Field Physics

Known for First law of

thermodynamics, Joule law

James Prescott Joule, (1818 –1889) was an English physicist, who studied the nature of heat, and
discovered its relationship to mechanical work. This led to the theory of conservation of energy, which
led to the development of the first law of thermodynamics. The SI unit of work, the joule, is named
after him. He worked with Lord Kelvin to develop the absolute scale of temperature, made
observations on magnetostriction, and found the relationship between the flow of current through a
resistance and the heat dissipated, now called Joule's law.

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5.1 Work
The work W done by a constant force F when its point of application undergoes a displacement s is
defined to be

W = F s cos 

F F


s
The w ork W done by the force F w hen its point of
application undergoes a dis placement s is

W = F. s = Fs cos 
  
where is the angle between F and s as indicated in figure. Only the component of F along s,
that is , F cos , contributes to the work done. Strictly speaking, the work is done by the source or
agent that applies the force. Work is a scalar quantity and its SI unit is the joule (J).

Work is also defined as the dot product of force and its displacement as given by equation
 
W = F. s

In terms of rectangular components, the two vectors are F = Fx iˆ + Fy ĵ + Fz k̂ and

s = x iˆ + y ĵ + z k̂ ;

hence, the definition of work may be written as

W = Fxx + Fy y + Fzz

The work done by a given force on a body depends only on the force, the displacement, and the angle
between them. It does not depend on the velocity or the acceleration of the body, or on the presence
of other forces.

Since the work is a scalar, its value also does not depend on the orientation of the coordinate axes.
Since the magnitude of a displacement in a given time interval depends on the velocity of the frame of
reference used to measure the displacement, the calculated work also depends on the reference frame.

Illustrations

Illustration 1

A box is moved over a horizontal path by applying force F = 60 N at an angle  = 30° to the
horizontal. What is the work done during the displacement of the box over a distance of 0.5 km.

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Solution

By definition, W = F s cos 

Here F = 60 N; s = 0.5 km = 500 m;  = 30°.

 W = (60)(500) cos30o = 26 kJ

Illustration 2

A load of mass m = 3000 kg is lifted by a winch with an acceleration a = 2 m/s2. Find the work done
during the first 15s from the beginning of motion.

Solution
1 2
The height to which the body is lifted during the first t second is h = at .
2

The tension in the rope is given by T

T = mg + ma a
Work done is given by

1 2 mg
W = Th = m(g + a)  at 
2 

Here m = 3000kg, a = 2m/s2; g = 10m/s2; t = 1.5 s.

1 2
 W = (3000)(10 + 2)   2 1.5 
2 

or W = 81 kJ

 Positive and Negative Work

Work done by a force may be positive or negative depending on the angle  between the force and
displacement. If the angle  is acute  < 90o), then the work done is positive and the component of
force is parallel to the displacement.

< 90o > 90o

F F
 s  s

(a) Positive Work done by a force F (b) Negative Work done by a force F

If the angle is obtuse ( > 90o), the component of force is antiparallel to the displacement and the
work done by force is negative.

 Zero Work Done

It is clear from the equation that the work done by a force is zero when

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(a) F = 0 N v
WF = 0
(b) s = 0 WN = 0
v
(c) cos = 0 F

or = 90o
(a) (b)
When t he force and the dis placement are perpendicular, t he w ork done by the force is zero.
(a) the normal reaction N is perpendicular to dis placement, t herefore, W N = 0
(b) the centripetal force is perpendicular to dis placement, t hus W F = 0 .

 Work Done by Friction

There is a misconception that the force of friction always does negative work. In reality, the work
done by friction may be zero, positive or negative depending upon the situation as shown in the figure.

s fk A F
s s F
s=0 A fk
F
F F
B B
fk
(a) (b) (c)
(a) When a block is pulled by a force F and the block does not move, the w ork done by friction is zero.
(b) When a block is pulled by a force F on a s tationary s urface, the w ork done by the kinetic friction is
negative.
(c) Block A is placed on the block B. When the block A is pulled w ith a force F, the fric tion force does
negative w ork on block A and pos itive w ork on block B, w hich is being accelerated by a force F. The
displacement of A relative to the table is in the forw ard direction. The w ork done by kinetic friction
on block B is pos itive.

 Work Done by Gravity

Consider a block of mass m which slides

down a smooth inclined plane of angle  as s
N
shown in figure. h yi

Let us assume the coordinate axes as shown

y
in the figure, to specify the components of
yf
the two vectors - although the value of mg
x 
work will not depend on the orientation of The work done by gravity is Wg = -mg(yf – yi) = +mgh
the axes.

Now, the force of gravity, F g = -mg ĵ

and the displacement is given by


s = x iˆ + y ĵ + z k̂
The work done by gravity is
 
Wg = F g. s = -mg ĵ .(x iˆ + y ĵ + z k̂ )
or Wg = -mgy ( ĵ . iˆ = 0, ĵ . ĵ = 1, ĵ k̂ = 0)
.

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Since y = yf - yi = h
 Wg = mg(yf - yi) = +mgh
If the block moves in the upward direction, then the work done by gravity is negative and is given by
Wg = mgh

Important
1. The work done by the force of gravity depends only on the initial and final vertical coordinates,
not on the path taken.

2. The work done by gravity is zero for any path that returns to its initial point.

When several forces act on a body one may calculate the work done by each force individually. The
net work done on the body is the algebraic sum of individual contributions.
     
Wnet = F1 . s1 + F2 . s 2 + ………. + Fn . s n
or Wnet = W1 + W2 + …………… + Wn

Illustrations

Illustration 3
A ball of mass m is thrown as a projectile at an angle  with the ground with velocity u. Determine
the work done by gravity during the upward motion and also during the downward motion.

Solution
u 2 sin 2 
The maximum height of the projectile is H 
2g
The work done by gravity during the upward motion is
mu 2 sin 2 
w g  mgH  
2
and work done during the downward motion is
mu 2 sin 2 
w g  mgH 
2
Note that the overall work done by gravity is zero because the net displacement of the ball in the
vertical direction is.
Illustration 4

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A trolley-car starts from rest at the top of a hill as shown in figure and m

moves down the curved track. Determine the work done by gravity
when it reaches the bottom.

Solution h

As the trolley-car moves along the curved track, the only force acting
on it is the force of gravity in downward direction. Since the work
done by gravity is independent of path, therefore, the work done by
gravity is the force multiplied by the displacement of the trolley-car in
downward direction which is the height of the hill.
Hence Wg = mgh.

Practice Exercise
1. A horizontal force of 25N pulls a box along a table. How much work does it do in pulling the
box 80 cm?
2. A child pushes a toy box 4.0m along the floor by means of a force of 6N directed downward at
an angle of 37° to the horizontal.
(a) What is the work done by the child?
(b) While displacing the box if the child pulls upward the box at the same angle then the
work done by the child would be less or more?
3. A block of mass 2.5kg moves upward on a smooth inclined plane by 80 cm. Three of the forces
acting on the block are shown as F1, F2 and F3.
F1 = 40 N (horizontal) F2
F3
F2 = 20N (normal to plane)
F1
F3 = 30 N (parallel to plane)
Find the net work done by all the forces on
30°
the block.

Answers
1. 20 J 2. (a) 19.2 J (b) Less work 3. 42 J

5.2 Work Done by a Variable Force

When the magnitude and direction of a force vary in three dimensions, it can be expressed as a function
 
of the position vector F (r), or in terms of the coordinates F (x, y, z). The work done by such a force
in an infinitesimal displacement ds is
 
W = F .d s

The total work done in going from point A to point B as shown in the figure. i.e.

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B
  B
WA B =  .d s    F cos   ds
F ds B
A A

In terms of rectangular components, F
F

F = Fx iˆ + Fy ĵ + Fz k̂ 
ds

and d s = dx iˆ + dy ĵ + dz k̂
A
therefore ,
A particle moves along a curved path subject to a
xB yB zB 
variable force F . The w ork done by the force in a
WA  B =  Fx dx   Fy dy   Fz dz 
xA yA zA displacement d s is dW = F.ds.

 Work done by a Spring

If x be the displacement of the free end of the spring Fs

from its equilibrium position then, the magnitude of
spring force is given by
Fs x
Fx = -kx
The negative sign signifies that the force always opposes
the extension (x > 0) or the compression (x < 0) of the x=0
spring. In other words, the force tends to restore the The force exerted by an ideal spring is given by
system to its equilibrium position Hooke’s law : FS = – kx , w here x is the
extens ion or com pres sion of the s pring.

The work done by the spring force for a displacement from xi to xf is given by
xf xf
FS
Ws =  Fs dx    kx dx
xi xi

or Ws = 
1
2

k x 2f  x i2 
xi xf
Note x

 The work done by a spring force is negative

 The work done by the spring force only
depends on the initial and final points.
 The net work done by the spring force is zero
for any path that returns to the initial point. The w ork done by the spring w hen the
displacement of its free end changes from
x i to x f is the area of the trapezoid;
1
WS = - k ( x 2f - xi2 )
2

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Graphically, the work done by the F(x)

spring force in a displacement from xi

to xf is the shaded area (as shown in the
figure 5.8) which is the difference in the
areas of two triangles.

In general, the work done by a variable

force F(x) from an initial point xi to xi xf x
final point xf is given by the area under
(a) The w ork done by a noncons tant force is approximately
the force - displacement curve as shown in equal to s um of the areas of the rectangles.
(b) The area under the curve is given by the integral W = Fx dx
the figure.
Area (work) above the x - axis is taken as positive, and vice-versa.

Illustrations

Illustration 5
A force varying with distance is given as F = ae–bx acts on a particle moving in a straight line. Find the
work done on the particle in its displacement from origin to a distance d.

Solution
d

As the applied force varies with displacement, its work is given as W   F . dx

0
d

W =  ae dx
 bx
or
0

a  bx d a  bd
W    e  0  [e  1]
b b
Illustration 6

A 5 kg block moves in a straight line on a

10
horizontal frictionless surface under the influence
F(N)
of a force that varies with position as shown in the 5

figure. Find the work done by this force as the

O 2 4 6 8 x(m)
block moves from the origin to x = 8m.

Solution -5

The work from x = 0 to x = 8 m is the area under the curve.

1 1
W = (10  2) + (10)(4 – 2) + 0 + (5)(8 – 6) = 25 J
2 2

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Practice Exercise
4. A body is thrown on a rough surface such that friction force acting on it is linearly varying with
distance traveled by it as f = ax + b. Find the work done by the friction on the box if the box
travels a distance s, before coming to rest.

5. A body of 4 kg mass placed on a smooth F(N)

horizontal surface experiences a force

varying with displacement of block as 30

shown in figure. Find the work done by the 20

force upto x = 8m. 10
x(m)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Answers
1 2
4. as  bs 5. 130 J
2

5.3 Work Energy Theorem

Let us study what physical quantity changes when work is done on a particle. If a constant force F acts
through a displacement x, it does work W = Fx = (ma) x on the particle.

Since the acceleration is constant, we can use the equation of kinematics

v 2f  v i2  2ax

Thus, W =

m v 2f  v i2   1 mv 2

1
mvi2
f
2 2 2
1
The quantity K = mv 2 is a scalar and is called the kinetic energy of the particle.
2

Kinetic energy is the energy that a particle posses by virtue of its motion.

Thus, the equation takes the form

W = Kf - Ki = K

The work done by a force changes the kinetic energy of the particle. This is called the Work-Energy Theorem.

In general

The net work done by the resultant of all the force acting on the particle is equal to the change in kinetic
energy of a particle.

Wnet 

Important

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(i) The kinetic energy of an object is a measure of the amount of work needed to increase its speed
from zero to a given value.
(ii) The kinetic energy of a particle is the work it can do on its surroundings in coming to rest.
(iii) Since the velocity and displacement of a particle depend on the frame of reference, the numerical
values of the work and the kinetic energy also depend on the frame.

Illustrations

Illustration 7 N
A block of mass m = 4 kg is dragged 2m along a F
o
horizontal surface by a force F = 30 N acting at 53° to f 53
the horizontal. The initial speed is 3 m/s and k = 1/8.
mg
(a) Find the change in kinetic energy of the block The change in the kinetic energy of the
block is given by the net w ork done on it.
(b) Find its final speed
Solution
(a) The forces acting on the block are shown in the figure. Clearly, WN = 0 and Wg = 0, whereas
WF = Fs cos
Wf = -fs = -kNs where N = mg - Fsin
The work-energy theorem,
K = Wnet = WF + Wf
therefore,
K = F s cos - k(mg – F sin)s
1
= (30)(2)(0.6) -
(40– 24)(2) = 32 J
8
1 2 1 2
(b) Now K = mv f  mv i  32 J
2 2
Since vi = 3 m/s.
therefore, vf = 5 m/s
Illustration 8
FS
A block of mass m = 2 kg is attached to a spring N
whose spring constant is k = 8 N/m. The block
1 f
and  = 37°.
slides on an incline for which k  =  mg
8
If the block starts at rest with the spring
unextended, what is its speed when it has moved a The w ork done by gravity is pos itive; the w ork
distance d  = 0.5m down the incline? done by the spring and by friction are negative.

Solution

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This problem can be solved by using Newton’s second law. However, the force exerted by the spring
varies with position and, therefore, so does the acceleration. We avoid this difficulty by using the
work-energy theorem. (Unless you are solving a problem in static equilibrium, it is a good idea to think of
the energy approach rather than dynamics when you see a spring in problem.)

The work done by the force due to the spring was found in equation.

xi = 0 and xf = +d

The work done by each of the forces on the block are

Wg = +mgd sin

Wf = kNd = k(mg cos)d

1
Ws =  kd 2
2
1
Of course, WN = 0. The work-energy theorem, with K = mv 2  0 , tells us
2
1 1
mgd sin - k(mg cos) d - kd 2 = mv 2
2 2
3 4 1
putting m = 2 kg; d = 0.5 m; k = 8 N/m; sin= ; cos = ; k =
5 5 8
1 1 1
we get , (2)(10)(0.5)(0.6) - (20)(0.8)(0.5) - (8)(0.5)2 = (2)v2
8 2 2
v = 2 m/s

Illustration 9

A box of mass m is gently placed on a conveyor N

belt that moves at a constant speed v. The

fk
coefficient of kinetic friction is k. v

(a) What is the work done by friction? mg

A box of ma ss m is ge ntly plac ed on c onveyor
(b) How far does the box move before reaching belt moving at cons tant veloc ity v.

its final speed?

(c) When the box reaches its final speed, how far has the belt moved?

Solution

(a) When the box is first placed on the belt there will be slipping between the two. But the force of
friction on the box and its displacement are in the same direction. Consequently, the work done
by kinetic friction is positive. Since the final speed of the box is v,
1
Wf =  K =  mv 2 (i)
2

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(b) The force of friction is f = kN = kmg and Wf = +fd.

Thus from equation (i),

1
+k mgd = + mv 2 (ii)
2

v2
Thus, d=
2 k g

(c) If the box takes a time t to reach speed v, then v = at where a is the acceleration of box. In this
1 2 1
time it will move d = at  vt . Since the belt’s speed is fixed, in time t it moves a distance
2 2
vt  = 2d.

The belt moves twice as far as the box while the box is accelerating.

Illustration 10

A horizontal force F very slowly lifts the bob of a simple pendulum from a vertical position to a point
at which the string makes an angle o to the vertical. The magnitude of the force is varied so that the
bob is essentially in equilibrium all times.

What is the work done by the force on the bob?

Solution



L ds
T  dy j

y
 dx i
yo F
x 
mg
(a) To move the bob at cons tant speed the force mus t vary w ith the angle 
(b) An infinitesimal displacement has vert ical and horizontal component s.

Figure is a free body diagram of the system and shows the forces acting on the bob. Since the
acceleration is zero, both the vertical and horizontal components of the forces balance:
Fx = F – T sin= 0
Fy = Tcos- mg = 0
Eliminating T we get
F = mg tan (i)
This is how the force must vary as a function of angle  in order for the bob to be in equilibrium.
 
The work done by F in an infinitesimal displacement d s along the circular arc is

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 
dW = F . d s = Fx dx
= mg tan dx (ii)
dy
From figure, w see that = tan; thus, dy = tan dx.
dx
Equation (ii) becomes dW = mg dy, therefore, the total work done from y = 0 to y = yo is
yo
W=  mgdy  mgyo  mgL1  cos o 
0

where the vertical displacement is

yo = L(1 – coso).

Practice Exercise
6. A spring requires 46J of work to extent it 12cm and 270J of work to extend it 27cm. Is the spring
force linearly varying with the stretch.
7. A block shown in figure slides on a semicircular frictionless track. If it starts from rest at position
A, what is its speed at the points marked B?
A
1.0m
45°

8. In the figure shown, a block slides along a track µ = 0.6

from one level to a higher level, by moving v0

h
µ=0
through an intermediate valley. The track is
frictionless until the block reaches the higher
horizontal level. The frictional force in the
horizontal track stops the block in a distance d.
The block’s initial speed v0 is 6 m/s, the height
difference h is 1.1 m and the coefficient of kinetic
friction µ is 0.6 Find d.
9. A small particle slides along a track with elevated end and a flat A

central part, as shown in figure. The flat part has a length 3 m. The h
curved portions of the track are frictionless, but for the flat part the
coefficient of kinetic energy is µ = 0.2. The particle is released at point 3.0m
A, which is at a height h = 1.5m above the flat part of the track. Where
does the particle finally come to rest?

Answers
6. No 7. 3.7 m/s 8. 1.17m

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9. mid point of the flat track

5.4 Potential Energy

When we throw a ball upwards with an initial velocity, it rises to a certain height and becomes
stationary for a moment. What happens to the lost kinetic energy? We know with our experience that the
ball returns back in our hands with a speed equal to its initial value. The initial kinetic energy is
somehow stored and is later fully recovered in the form of kinetic energy. The ball must have
something at the new height that it does not have at the previous level. That something by virtue of
its position is Potential Energy.
Potential energy is the energy associated with the relative positions of two or more interacting particles.

Potential energy fits well the idea of energy as the capacity to do

work. For example, the gravitational potential energy of an Rest
object raised off the ground can be used to compress or
expand a spring or to lift another weight. As a coil spring
unwinds, or a straight spring returns to its natural length,
the stored potential energy can be used to do work. For v
example, if a block is attached to a compressed spring, the
elastic potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy
of the block as shown in figure. The block gains kinetic energy w hen
the compress ed spring is releas ed.

In the above discussion we have seen that in the case of gravity and elastic spring the kinetic energy
imparted initially is stored as potential energy for a short time which is regained, later on. But this is
not true in all cases.
For example, consider block placed at rest on a rough horizontal surface. If we impart it some initial
kinetic energy, it starts sliding on the surface, the frictional force does negative work on the block,
decreasing its kinetic energy to zero. But it does not come back to our hand no matter how long we wait!
The frictional force has used up the kinetic energy in a non - reversible way.
The forces, such as gravity and spring force, which does work in a reversible manner is called a
conservative force. In contrast, the force, such a frictional force, which does work in an irreversible
manner is called an non - conservative force.

Important
1. The work done by a conservative force is independent of path. It depends only on the initial and
final positions. In contrast, the work done by a non-conservative force depends on the path (see
figure)

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v=0 v=0

v = v1
d f d

v = v2
f  

UP: Wg = -mgdsin; Wf = -fd DOWN: Wg = mgdsin; Wf = -fd

A block s lides up and dow n on a rough inclined plane. In the complete trip, the w ork done by
gravit y is zero w he reas t he w ork done by friction is negat ive.

2. The work done by a conservative force around any closed path is zero.

1
2

The w ork done by a conservative force from point A to point B is the s ame for any tw o paths such as 1 and 2 .

The potential energy is defined only for conservative forces.

The change in potential energy as a particle moves from point A to point B is equal to the negative of
the work done by the associated conservative force
U = UB - UA = -WC
Using definition of work
B
UB – UA =   FC .ds … (i)
A

From equation, we see that starting with potential energy UA at point A, we obtain a unique value UB
at point B, because WC has the same value for all paths. When a block slides along a rough floor, the
work done by the force of friction on the block depends on the length of the path taken from point A
to point B. There is no unique value for the work done, so one can not assign unique values for
potential energy at each point. Hence, non-conservative force can not have potential energy.

When the forces within a system are conservative, external work done on the system is stored as
potential energy and is fully recoverable.

Note that the potential energy is always defined with respect to a reference point.

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 Gravitational Potential Energy (Near the Earth’s Surface)

The work done by gravity on a particle of mass m whose vertical coordinate changes from yA to yB is

Wg = -mg(yB – yA)

From equation (i), we have Wg = -Ug = -(UB – UA).

Thus gravitational potential energy at the point B near the surface of the earth is given by

UB = UA + mgh

If we assume potential energy at the point A to be zero, then potential energy at the point B is given
by

UB = 0 + mgh = mgh

 Spring Potential Energy

The work done by the spring force when the displacement of the free end changes from xi to xf is
given by equation (5.8).

WS = -
1
2

k x 2f  xi2 
By definition WS = -US = -(Uf – Ui), therefore,

Uf = Ui +
1
2

k x 2f  x i2 
1
US = kx 2
2

If we assume the potential energy stored in the USP

spring at equilibrium is zero and all the
displacements are measured from equilibrium,
then xi = 0 and Ui = 0.

Thus, final energy stored in the spring is

1 x
Uf = kx 2 (  xf = x) The potential energy of an ideal spring is a parabolic
2
function of the displacement x from equilibrium.
The potential energy function for an ideal spring
is a parabolic function as shown in figure.

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Illustrations

Illustration 11

A uniform rod of mass M and length L is held vertically

upright on a horizontal surface as shown in the figure. M
L
Find the potential energy of the rod if the zero potential
y
energy level is assumed at the horizontal surface.
x
O

Solution

Since the parts of the rod are at different levels with respect to the horizontal surface, therefore, we
have to use the integration to find its potential energy. Consider a small element of length dy at a
height y from the horizontal.

Mass of the element is

M
dm = dy
L
Its potential energy is given by

dU = (dm)gy
M
or dU = gydy
L
On integrating, we get

Mg L
U=  ydy
L 0 dm dy

L
Mg y 2 y y
or U= L 2 o
x
O
1
or U= MgL
2
Note that the potential energy of the rod is equal to the product of Mg and height of the center of
L
mass   from the surface.
2

5.5 Conservation of Mechanical Energy

From the previous section we know that the work done by a conservative force in terms of the change
in potential energy is given by

U = -WC (i)

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where U is the potential energy and WC is the work done by a conservative force.

From the work-energy theorem, we know that

Wnet = K

Where Wnet represents the sum of work done by all the forces acting on the mass.

If a particle is subject to only conservative forces, then

WC = Wnet = K

Thus, the equation (i) becomes,

U = -K
or U + K = 0 (ii)

The equation (ii) tells us that the total change in potential energy plus the total change in kinetic energy is
zero if only conservative forces are acting on the system.

That is, there is no change in the sum of K plus U.

 (K + U) = 0 (iii)

or E = 0 where E = K + U

The quantity E = K + U is called the total mechanical energy.

According to equation (iii), when only conservative forces act, the change in total mechanical energy of a
system is zero, in otherwords,

If only conservative forces perform work on and within a system of masses, the total mechanical energy
of the system is conserved.

Alternatively, the equation (iii) may be written as

(Kf + Uf) - (Ki + Ui) = 0

or K f + Uf = K i + Ui (iv)

Since E = 0, integrating both sides,

we get E = constant.

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

E = 0 + mgH

Energy

y H 1 2
E= mv + mgy E = K + Ug
2
Ug
v 1
E = mv2max +0
2 K
x O
vmax
(b)
(a)
(a) As an object falls from height H, its potentia l energy is converted t o kinetic energy. At
1 2
height H, the energy is E = m gH. J ust as it lands, E = mvmax .
2
(b) The potential energy and t he kinetic energy vary linearly w ith vertical height y. The
1
mechanical energy E = K + U = mv 2 + mgy s tays const ant.
2

1
A E = 0+ kA2
2
v
1 1
E= mv2 + kx2 E
2 2
USP
vmax x
1
E= mv2max + 0 K
X=0 2 O x
(a) -A (b) +A

1 2
(a) A block connect ed t o a s pring. At the maximum extension x = A , the energy is E = kA .
2
1 2
When x = 0 , the energy is E = m v m ax
2
(b) The variation of K and U w ith x . The energy of the block-spring syst em is cons tant.
1 2 1 2
E= mv + kx = cons tant .
2 2

Illustrations

Illustration 12
A load W is suspended from a self-propelled crane by a cable of length d figure (a). The crane and
load are moving at a constant speed v0. The crane is stopped by a bumper and the load on the cable
swings out, as shown in figure (b). (a) What is the angle through which the load swings? (b) If the
angle is 60° and d = 5m, what was the initial speed of the crane?

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Solution
(a) The cable does no work on the load, so the load’s energy is conserved.
1W 2
Ki  U i  K ff  U v0  0  0  W (d  d cos )
2 g
  v 
v02  2 gd(1  cos )  4 gd sin 2   2arc sin  0 
2  2 gd 
 

 2 (9.8)(5)    7m/s
1
(b) v0  2 gd sin
2 2

d 

v0
W

Figure (a) Figure (b)

Illustration 13
Two blocks with masses m1 = 3kg and
m2  = 5 kg are connected by a light string
that slides over a frictionless pulley as
shown in figure. Initially, m2 is held 5 m off
m2
the floor while m1 is on the floor. The
system is then released. At what speed m1 h
does m2 hit the floor?
Solution
The initial and final configurations are shown in the figure (b & c).
It is convenient to set Ug = 0 at the floor. Initially, only m2 has potential energy. As it falls, it loses
potential energy and gains kinetic energy. At the same time, m1 gains potential energy and kinetic
energy. Just before m2 lands, it has only kinetic energy. Let v the final speed of each mass. Then, using
the law of conservation of mechanical energy.

v2 = 0 v1 = v
y y2 = h y1 = h
v2 = v
v1 = 0
x y1 = 0 y2 = 0
O
Initial Final
(b) (c)

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

Kf + Uf = Ki + Ui
1
(m1 + m2)v2 + m1gh = 0 + m2gh
2

2 m2  m1  gh
v2 =
m1  m2

Putting m1 = 3 kg; m2 = 5 kg; h = 5 m and g = 10 m/s2

2 ( 5 - 3) ( 10) ( 5)
We get v2 =
5+ 3

or v = 5 m/s.

Illustration 14

A chain of length l = 80 cm and mass m = 2 kg is hanging

from the end of a plane so that the length lo of the vertical lo

segment is 50 cm as shown in the figure. The other end of the

chain is fixed by a nail. At a certain instant, the nail is pushed
out, what is the velocity of the chain at the moment it
completely slides off the plane? Neglect the friction.
Solution

We assume the zero potential energy level at the y

horizontal plane. The initial and final configuration x
of the chain are shown in the figure. O

lo
Initially, Ki = 0

 m   lo 
Ui = 0 +  lo  g   
 l   2 Initial

mlo2
or Ui =  g
2l

Note that the part of chain lying over the table has y
zero potential energy.
x
O
1
Finally, Kf = mv 2
2
Where v is the final velocity of the chain.
l
and Uf = mg
2
v
Using the law of energy conservation Final

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K f + Uf = K i + Ui
2
1 l ml g
mv 2  mg  0  o
2 2 2l

or v=
l

g 2 2
l  lo 
putting l = 0.8 m; lo = 0.5 m; g = 10 m/s2, we get

v= 5 m/s

or v = 2.23 m/s

Illustration 15

Two blocks with masses m1 = 2 kg and m2 = 3 kg hang on

either side of a pulley as shown in figure. Block m1 is on
an incline ( = 30o) and is attached to a spring whose
stiffness constant is 40 N/m. The system is released from m1
rest with the spring in its natural length. Find k
m2
(a) the maximum extension of the spring

(b) the speed of m1 when the extension is 0.5 m. Ignore
friction and mass of the pulley.
Solution

To use Ef = Ei we would need to assign the initial heights of the blocks arbitrary values h1 and h2. The
corresponding potential energies, m1gh1 and m2gh2 would appear in both Ei and Ef and hence would
cancel.

We avoid this process by using the form K + U = 0 instead, since it does not require
U = 0 reference level.

(a) At the maximum extension xmax, the blocks come to rest, and thus K = 0. Next, we must find the
changes in Ug and US. When m2 falls by xmax, the spring extends by xmax and m1 rises by xmax sin.
Therefore,

K + Ug + US = 0
1 2
0 + (-m2gxmax + m1gxmaxsin) + kx max = 0
2
2g
Thus, xmax =  m 2  m1 sin   0.98 m
k

1
(b) In this case the change in kinetic energy is K = (m1 + m2)v2.
2

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

The change in potential energy has the same form as in part (a), but with xmax replaced by x = 0.5
m,.
1
 m1  m 2  v 2    m 2 gx  m1 gx sin   1 kx 2 = 0
2 2

Putting the given values we find v = 1.39 m/s.

Illustration 16

A body slides down an inclined surface N

which ends into a vertical loop of radius R = v

40 cm. What must be the height H of the mg

inclined surface for the body not to fall at the H R

uppermost point of the loop? Assume friction

to be absent.

Solution

Let v be the velocity of the particle at the highest point.

According to Newton’s Second Law, the net force

Fnet = N + mg provides the centripetal force.

mv 2
Therefore, N + mg =
R
The body is not detached from the loop if N  0. In the limiting case, N = 0.

mv 2
That is mg = or v2 = gR
R

Applying energy conservation at the initial and highest point of the loop, we get
1
mgH = mg(2R) + mv 2
2
Using v2 = gR, we obtain,
1
mgH = mg(2R) + m gR 
2
5
or H= R  2.5 R
2
Putting R = 40 cm = 0.4 m, we get

H = (2.5) (0.4) = 1m.

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5.6 Conservative Forces and Potential Energy Functions

We now consider how we can find a conservative force if we are given the associated potential
energy function. According to equation, an infinitesimal change in potential energy dU is related to
the work done by the conservative force Fc in an infinitesimal displacement ds as follows
 
dU =  FC .d s

In one dimension, the above equation reduces to dU = Fxdx

dU
Thus, Fx = 
dx
Let us see how equation can be used for the common known cases:

For gravitational potential energy,

dU
Ug = mgy Fy =  dy  mg

For spring potential energy,

1 2 dU
US = kx Fx =  = -kx
2 dx
A conservative force can be derived from a scalar potential energy function

Consider an arbitrary potential energy function U(r) as shown in figure.

The radial component of the associated conservative force is negative of the slope of the potential
energy function, that is
dU
Fr = 
dr
The force function may be plotted qualitatively as shown in the figure. If Fr > 0, the force is directed
toward positive r, which means repulsion, whereas Fr < 0 means attraction.

The following important points can be easily noticed by looking at the potential energy and force
diagrams.

(r > r2): Fr > 0

The particle is weakly repelled.

(r = r2): Fr = 0

At the maximum point of the potential energy function, the particle would be in unstable equilibrium. If
the particle were slightly displaced either to the left or to the right, it would tend to move away from
this point.

(ro < r < r2): Fr < 0

The force is attractive, being strongest at r1 where the slope is greatest.

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

(r = ro): Fr = 0

At the minimum point of the potential energy function, the particle would be in stable equilibrium. If
slightly displaced in either direction, it would tend to return to this point.

(r < ro): Fr > 0

The particles repel each other. The repulsive force becomes stronger as r is reduced (since the slope
of U(r) gets steeper).
U(r)

(a)

r1 r3
O r2 r
ro

Fr

(b)

O ro r1 r2 r
r3

From the given potential energy function U(r) one can find the radial component of the force from Fr = -dU/dr, which is the negative of
the slope of the U(r) curve. A positive force means repulsion, and a negative force means attraction.

Illustrations

Illustration 17
Calculate the forces F (y) associated with the following one-dimensional potential energies:
(a) U = – y, (b) U = ay3 – by2, (c) U = U0 sin y

Solution
dU
(a) F 
dy

dU
(b) F  3ay 2  2by
dy

dU
(c) F  U 0 cos y
dy

Illustration 18

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The potential energy function for the force between two atoms in a diatomic molecule can be
expressed approximately as
a b
U(r) = 12

r r6
where a and b are constants and r is the separation between the atoms.

(a) Determine the force function F(r).

(b) Find the value of r for which the molecule will be in the stable equilibrium.

Solution

(a) The force between the two atoms is given by

dU
F(r) = -
dr
12a 6b
or F(r) = 
r 13 r7

d 2U
(b) For stable equilibrium F(r) = 0 and 0
dr 2
12a 6b
Thus,   0
13
r r7
1/ 6
 2a 
or r=  
 b 

5.7 Power
Power is defined as the rate at which work is done. If an amount of work W is done in a time interval
t, then the average power is defined to be
W
Pav =
t
The SI unit of power is J/s which is given the name watt (W) in the honour of James Watt.

Thus, 1 W = 1 J/s.

The instantaneous power is the limiting value of Pav as t  0; that is

dW
P=
dt

The work done by force F on a object that has an infinitesimal displacement d s is

   ds
dW = F.d s Since the velocity of the object is v  , the instantaneous power may be written as
dt
 ds 
dW
P= = F .
dt dt

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

 
or P = F.v

Since the work and energy are closely related, a more general definition of power is the rate of energy
transfer from one body to another, or the rate at which energy is transformed from one form to another.
dE
P
dt

Illustrations

Illustration 19

A particle of mass m is moving in a circular path of constant radius r such that its centripetal
acceleration ar is varying with time t as ar = k2rt2, where k is a constant, What is the power delivered to
the particle by the forces acting on it.

Solution

Let v be the instantaneous speed of the particle, then centripetal acceleration is given by

v2
ar =
r
Since ar = k2rt2 is given, therefore,

v2
 k2rt2
r
or v = krt
The tangential acceleration is given by
dv
at =  kr
dt
The tangential force is Ft = mat = mkr
Hence, power delivered is
P = Ftv = (mkr)(krt)
or P = mk2r2t
Illustration 20
A small body of mass m is located on a horizontal plane at the point O. The body acquires a
horizontal velocity u.
(a) Find the mean power developed by the friction force during the whole time of motion.
(b) Find the maximum instantaneous power developed by the friction force, if the friction
coefficient varies as k = ax, where a is a constant and x is the distance from the point O.
Solution
(a) The frictional force acting on the body fr = mmg
Retardation provided by this force is a = - mg

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Total time taken by the body to come to rest is

u
t
a
u

g
Total change in kinetic energy due to friction is
1
E  mu2 - 0
2
Mean power can be given as
Net gain in kinetic energy E
 
Total time of motion t
1
mu2
or 2 1
 mug
u / g 2
(b) When friction coefficient is k = ax, the friction force on the body when it is at a distance x from
the point O is
fr = axmg
Retardation due to this force is a = - agx
dv
or v = - agx
dx
or vdv = - agx
Integrating the a above expression for velocity at a distance x from point), gives
v

 v dv    gx dx
u uv

v = u - agx2
2 2

Instantaneous power due to friction force at a distance x from point O is

P = F.v
or  mgx u 2
 gx 2 
dp mgx
This power is maximum when dx  2 1/ 2 ´ agx - amg[u -a gx ]
2 2 1/2
=0
u  gx 2 
u
or x
2 g

Practice Exercise
10. A body of mass m is thrown at an angle q to the horizontal with the initial velocity u. Find the
mean power developed by gravity over the whole time of motion of the body, and the
instantaneous power of gravity as a function of time.

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

11. A pump is required to lift 1000 kg of water power minute from a well 12 m deep and eject it with
a speed of 20 m/s. How much work is done per second in lifting the water and what must be the
power output of the pump?

Answers
10. Zero, P = mg (gt – usin) 11. 5333.33 J/s

*****

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Miscellaneous Problems
Objective Type
Example 1
When a body is moving in a horizontal circular path with a fixed speed, which one of the following physical
quantities remains constant?
(a) Momentum of the body
(b) Centripetal acceleration
(c) Kinetic energy of the body
(d) Displacement of the body from the centre of the circular path

Solution
Kinetic energy remains constant as mass and magnitude of velocity remain constant. Ans. (c)

Example 2
A body of mass m is moving in a circle of radius r with a constant speed v. The net force on the body is mv 2/r
and is directed towards the centre. What is the work done by this force in moving the body over half the
circumference of the circle?

mv 2 mv 2 r 2
(a)  r (b) Zero (c) (d)
r r2 mv 2
Solution
Since the net force acting on the body is always perpendicular to the displacement, therefore, the net work done
on the particle is zero. Ans. (b)

Example 3
A chain of mass m is placed on a smooth table with 1/7 th of its length l hanging over the edge. The work done in
pulling the chain back to the surface of table is

l l l l
(a) mg (b) mg (c) mg (d) mg
7 14 49 98
Solution
The work done is equal to the increase in potential energy of the chain.
The initial potential energy the chain is
m l mgl
Ui   g  Ans. (d)
7 14 98

Example 4
A metre stick, of mass 600 gram, is pivoted at one end and displaced through an
angle of 60°. The increase in its potential energy is (g = 10 ms– 2) 60°
(a) 1.5 J (b) 15 J
(c) 150 J (d) 0.15 J

Solution
Increase in potential energy = mg (height through which C.G. of stick rises)

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

1
= mg   (1 – cos )
2

(10)   (1  cos )
600 1

1000 2
1
= 0.6 (10) = 1.5 J Ans. (a)
4
Example 5

The figure here shows the frictional force versus displacement for a particle in P (watt)
motion. The loss of kinetic energy (work done against friction) in traveling over 16
S = 0 to 20 m will be 12
(a) 80 J (b) 160 J 8
4
(c) 240 J (d) 24 J 5 10 15 20 S (metre)

Solution
Area of force vs displacement graph with s-axis gives work done
Area = 240; W = 240 J Ans. (c)

Example 6

A ball of mass m is dropped from a height h on a platform fixed at the top of a m

vertical spring. He platform is displaced by a distance x. The spring constant is h
2mg 2mgh
(a) (b)
x x2
2mg  h  x  2mg  h  x 
(c) (d)
x2 h2
Solution
KE of moving mass is converted into elastic potential energy of spring
1 1
  mv 2  kx 2
2 2
1 1
 0.5   1.5    50 x 2
2

2 2
2
1 (1.5) 1.5
or x2   , x  0.15 m Ans. (c)
2 50 10

Subjective Type

Example 1
The bob of a simple pendulum of length L = 2 m has a mass m = 2 kg and a speed v = 1 m/s when the string is at
35o to the vertical. Find the tension in the string at
(a) the lowest point in its swing
(b) the highest point

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Solution
The problem requires to use dynamics and the conservation of
mechanical energy. The forces on the bob are shown in the

figure. L
T
The acceleration has both radial and tangential components.

The equation for tangential component, y L(1-cos)

Fx = mg sin= ma Ug=0
mg
x

Since the bob is moving in a circular path of radius L, the equation for the radial component is

mv 2
Fy = T – mg cos = (i)
L
To find the tension we need the speed, which can be found from the conservation law. We set Ug = 0 at the
lowest point.

Note that the height is y = L – L cos. The mechanical energy is

1
E= mv 2  mgL1  cos  (ii)
2
1
= (2kg)(1 m/s)2 + (2kg)(9.8 N/kg)(2m)(1 – 0.8) = 9 J
2
(a) At the lowest point  = 0; hence (ii) becomes

1 2
E= mvmax +0
2
Since E = 9 J we find vmax = 3 m/s.
2
mvmax
Now we have the speed we can find the tension at  = 0. From (i), T – mg = , from which we find
L
T = 20 + 9 = 29 N

(b) At the highest point v = 0; hence, (ii) becomes

E = 0 + mgL(1 – cosmax)

31
Using E = 9 J lead to cosmax =
40
Since v = 0, therefore, T = mgcosmax = 15.5 N

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

Example 2
A block of mass m = 0.2 kg is held against, but not attached to a
d
spring (k = 50 N/m) which is compressed by 20 cm, as shown in x=0
x
figure, when the block is released, the block slides 50 cm up the US =0
rough incline before coming to rest. Find
Ug = 0
(a) the force of friction
(b) the speed of the block as it leaves the spring.
37o

Solution
We could set Ug = 0 at x = 0, but if we use the lowest point instead, all subsequent values are positive. Again the
total energy has three terms E = K + Ug + US.
1 2
(a) We set xo = 0.2 m and d = 0.5 m. Both Ki and Kf are zero, so Ei = kx o and Ef = mgdsin. From work-
2
energy theorem,
Ef – Ei = Wnc
1 2
mgdsin - kx o = -fd
2
Thus f = 0.82 N
(b) The initial energy Ei is the same as above, but the final value at x = 0 is
1
Ef = mv 2  mgx o sin 
2
From work-energy theorem,
Ef – Ei = Wnc
1 1
mv2 + mgxo sin - kxo2 = - fxo
2 2
After solving we get, v = 2.45 m/s.

Example 3
A pendulum of mass m and length l is suspended from the ceiling of a l
m a
trolley which has a constant acceleration a in the horizontal direction as shown
in the figure. Find the maximum deflection  of the pendulum from the
vertical.

Solution
The free body diagram of the pendulum with respect to trolley is shown in
l 
the figure. The forces acting on the bob are:
T
the gravity, mg , the pseudo force, ma , the tension, T ma
The work done by gravity is Wg   mgl  1  cos   mg

The work done by pseudo force is FPS  mal sin 

The work done by tension is WT  0  T  ds 
At the position of maximum deflection the velocity of the bob is zero, therefore, K  0 .

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Applying Work-Energy Theorem, we get

Wg  WPS  WT  K
mgl  1  cos    mal sin   0  0
  
or g  2 sin 2   a  2 sin cos 
 2  2 2
 a 1  a 
or tan  or  = 2 tan  
2 g g

1  a 
Note that this angle is double to that at the equilibrium which is o  tan   .
g

Example 4
A small body of mass m is located on a horizontal plane at the point O . The body acquires a horizontal
velocity u . Find,
(a) Find the mean power developed by the friction force during the whole time of motion, if the friction
coefficient is  .
(b) Find the maximum instantaneous power developed by the friction force, if the friction coefficient varies
as   x , where a is a constant and x is the distance from the point O .

Solution
(a) The frictional force acting on the body
fr  mg
Retardation provided by this force is
a  g
Total time taken by the body to come to rest is
u u
t 
a g
Total change in kinetic energy due to friction is
1
E  mu2  0
2
Mean power can be given as
Net gain in kinetic energy E
Mean power= 
Total time of motion t
1
mu2
2 1
Þ =  mug
u 2
g
(b) When friction coefficient is   x , the friction force on the body when it is at a distance x from the point
O is
fr  xmg
Retardation due to this force is
a  gx
dv
or v  gx
dx
or vdv  gx dx

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Integrating the above expression for velocity at a distance x from point O , gives
v x

 v dv   gx dx
u 0

v  u  gx 2
2 2

Instantaneous power due to friction force at a distance x from point O is

P  F .v

or P  mgx u 2
 gx 2  … (1)
dP
This power is maximum when  0 , thus
dx

dP mgx 1/ 2
 1/ 2
 gx  mg u2  gx 2   0
dx u  gx 
2 2
 
u
or x …(2)
2g
Equation (2) gives the value of x at which instantaneous power is maximum. Using above value of x
in equation (1) gives the maximum instantaneous power as
u 2
Pmax  mg u2  u 2
2 g
1
Pmax   mu2 g
2

Example 5
A small body of mass m is located on a horizontal plane at the point O . The body acquires a horizontal
velocity u . Find,
(a) Find the mean power developed by the friction force during the whole time of motion, if the friction
coefficient is  .
(b) Find the maximum instantaneous power developed by the friction force, if the friction coefficient varies
as   x , where a is a constant and x is the distance from the point O .

Solution
(a) The frictional force acting on the body
fr  mg
Retardation provided by this force is
a  g
Total time taken by the body to come to rest is
u u
t 
a g
Total change in kinetic energy due to friction is
1
E  mu2  0
2
Mean power can be given as
Net gain in kinetic energy E
Mean power= 
Total time of motion t

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1
mu2
2 1
Þ =  mug
u 2
g
(b) When friction coefficient is   x , the friction force on the body when it is at a distance x from the point
O is
fr  xmg
Retardation due to this force is
a  gx
dv
or v  gx
dx
or vdv  gx dx
Integrating the above expression for velocity at a distance x from point O , gives
v x

 v dv   gx dx
u 0

v  u  gx 2
2 2

Instantaneous power due to friction force at a distance x from point O is

P  F.v

or P  mgx u 2
 gx 2  … (1)
dP
This power is maximum when  0 , thus
dx

dP mgx 1/ 2
 1/ 2
 gx  mg u2  gx 2   0
dx u  gx 
2 2
 
u
or x …(2)
2g
Equation (2) gives the value of x at which instantaneous power is maximum. Using above value of x
in equation (1) gives the maximum instantaneous power as
u 2
Pmax  mg u2  u 2
2 g
1
Pmax   mu2 g
2

Example 6
A particle of mass m slides down a smooth inclined surface, which ends into a
vertical loop of radius R . From what minimum height should the particle be m

released so that it does not fall at the uppermost point of the loop?
h R

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Solution
Let v be the velocity of the particle at the highest position. The reference level for
potential energy is assumed at the lowest level of the track. Applying energy v N
conservation, we get
h
K i  U i  K ff  U mg

1
mv 2  mg  2 R 
0  mgh  (1)
2
Two forces mg and N acts on the block in vertically downward direction.
mv 2
Applying Newton’s second law, mg + N =
R
The particle will reach the highest position if N  0 . In the liming case N  0 . Thus,
mv 2
mg  or v  gR
2

R
Substituting the value of v 2 in the equation (1)
1 5
mgh m  ghR   mg  2 R  or h R
2 2
Let us verify that the minimum value of N occurs at the highest position.
The figure shows the instantaneous position of the particle at which it makes an angle 
with the vertical.
C
If u be the speed of the particle at this instant, then N
2 
mu
N  mg cos   (2) mg
R
Applying energy conservation, we get
1
mgh  mgR  1  cos    mu2
2
mu2 h
or  2 mg  2 mg  1  cos  
R R
Substituting this in equation (2), we get
h 
N  2mg   1   3mg cos 
R 
The following points can be easily noted from the above equation.
w The minimum value of N occurs at the highest position i.e. when    .
w The particle has the possibility to fall off the track only when    / 2 , and the particle falls off the track if
5
the height of release h is given by R  h  R
2

Example 7
A particle of mass m moves along a circle of radius R with a normal acceleration varying with time as an  kt
2

, where k is a constant.

(a) Find the tangential force acting on the particle.

(b) Find the net force acting on the particle.

(c) Find time dependence of power developed by all the forces acting on the particle and the mean value of
this power averaged over the first t second after the beginning of the motion.

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Solution
Normal acceleration an  kt
2

v2
Þ  kt 2
R

Þ v  t kR

dv
Now tangential acceleration at  = kR .
dt

(a) Tangential force acting on the particle,

Ftt  ma  m kR .

(b) Net force, F  Ft2  FN2

= m at2  aN2  m kR  k 2 t 4 .

(c) Power developed by normal force is zero where power developed by tangential force is given by

P  Ft v = m kR kRt  mkRt
t t

 Pdt  mkRt dt mkR

t2
Average power,  P 
0 0
t = t = 2  1 mkRt
 dt
0
 dt
0
t 2

m
Example 8
A system consists of two identical blocks, each of mass m , linked together by the compressed
k
weightless spring of stiffness k as shown in figure. The blocks are connected by a thread which
is burned through at a certain moment. Find at which values of initial compression, the lower
block will bounce up after the thread has been burned through. m

Solution
Let the initial compression be x in the spring from its natural length. When the thread is burned, the spring
shoots towards its natural length and moves up further to a distance h , as shown in figure. This h should be at
least equal to that extension in the spring, which is just sufficient to break off the lower mass from ground.
When the upper block reaches the point B , the restoring force on lower block will balance its weight. Thus,
kh  mg m B
h
Applying work-energy theorem between points A and B , we get
m ean
1 1
0  kx 2  mg  x  h   kh 2  0 x position
2 2 m A
As upper block comes to rest at B , we take K.E. of block zero at B .
k
2 mg 3m 2 g 2 mg
or x 
2
x 0 [substituting h  ]
k k k
m
Solving, we get

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

3mg mg
x or 
k k
3mg
Since x is positive, the minimum initial compression required is 
k

Example 9
A small box of mass m is placed on the outer surface of a smooth fixed sphere of radius R at a point where the
radius makes an angle  with the vertical. If the box is released from this position, find the distance traveled by
the box before it leaves contact with the sphere.

Solution
The situation is shown in figure. It starts falling along the circular path outside the sphere and breaks off from
the surface when its contact reaction becomes zero. It happens when
h=R(cos  cos)
mv 2 m
 mg cos  mv2
R m
R
v  Rg cos  … (i) 

mg
where v is the instantaneous velocity of the box at an angle  from the vertical.
It can also be obtained by

v  2 gh [as from rest in falls a distance h ]

or  2 gR  cos   cos   … (ii)

Using (i) and (ii) equation, we get
Rg cos   2 gR  cos   cos  
or 3 cos   2 cos 

  cos 1  cos  
2
or
3 
Thus distance traveled by the box before leaving the contact with the sphere is
s  R    
 
 R  cos 1  cos     
2
or
  3  

*****

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Exercise - I
General Type (Fill in the blanks/ True or False/ Assertion & Reason )

True/False
1. Work done by friction is always negative.

2. Kinetic energy depends on the direction of motion.

3. Kinetic energy depends on the frame of reference.

4. A single force acting on a particle definitely change the kinetic energy of the body.

5. The kinetic energy of a system may decrease in the absence of external forces

6. A force do work on a body but its kinetic energy is not changing.

7. Mechanical energy of a body may be negative.

Fill in the Blanks

1. The work done by a force is positive when F is _________ to s, negative when F is _________ to s, and zero
when F is _________ to s.

2. The S.I. unit for work is the _________.

3. The kinetic energy of an object is a measure of its ability to _________.

4. The translational kinetic energy of an object of mass m and velocity v is _________.

5. The final kinetic energy of an object equals to its _________ plus the total work done by _________.

6. Forces that can be included in the potential energy are said to be _________.

7. The total mechanical energy is the _________ plus the _________.

8. Mechanical energy is conserved when _________.

9. Potential energy is energy associated with the _________.

10. The place where the potential energy is zero is _________.

11. In general, the increase in the potential energy is equal to the negative of the _________.

12. Dissipative forces usually convert mechanical energy into _________.

13. The work done by kinetic frictional forces is always _________.

14. The gravitational potential energy formula u = mgh holds for objects _________.

15. Power is the rate at which _________.

16. The S.I. power unit is the _________.

17. A kilowatt hour is a unit of _________.

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

Assertion and Reason

In the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is given which is followed by a corresponding statement
of reason (R). Mark the correct answer out of the following options/codes.
(a) If both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) If both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not correct explanation of (A).
(c) If (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) If both (A) and (R) are false.
(e) If (A) is false but (R) is true.

1. A : No force is required to move a body in a complete circle.

R: Work done by external force in a closed path is zero

2. A : Work done by a conservative force is independent of path.

R: Conservative force is independent of position.

3. A : A force does negative work when body is slowing down on which it acts.
R: Negative work done by a force decreases the kinetic energy of the body.

4. A : Potential energy is not defined for friction force.

R: Friction force is not a conservative force.

5. A : If potential energy stored in a stretched spring is positive then the potential energy stored in the
compressed spring is negative.
R: Potential energy in the unstretched state is zero.

6. A : Work done by conservative forces decreases the potential energy of the system.
dU
R: Conservative force is given by F  .
dx
7. A : Work done by a pseudoforce is always zero.
R: Pseudoforce is an imaginary force.

8. A : Work done by a force is same in all inertial frames.

R: Work is a scalar quantity.

9. A : Net work done by static friction is always zero on the two bodies in contact.
R: There is no relative motion between the bodies.

10. A : Mountain roads rarely go straight up.

R: It requires large amount of work to be done.

*****

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Exercise - II
Objective Type (Only One Choice Correct)
Level - I
1. A particle moves along the x  axis from x  0 to x  5 m under the influence of a force given by
2
F  7  2 x  3 x . The work done in the process is
(a) 107 (b) 270 (c) 100 (d) 135

2. The total work done on a particle is equal to the change in its kinetic energy
(a) always
(b) only if the forces acting on the body are conservative
(c) only if the forces acting on the body are gravitational
(d) only if the forces acting on the body are elastic

3. When work done on a particle is positive

(a) Kinetic energy increases (b) Kinetic energy decreases
(c) Kinetic energy remains constant (d) Momentum decreases

4. A body moves a distance of 10 m along a straight line under the action of a force of 5 N. If the work done
is 25 J, the angle which the force makes with the direction of motion of the body is
(a) 0° (b) 30° (c) 60° (d) 90°

5. If the kinetic energy of a body is increased by 300%, its momentum will increase by
(a) 100% (b) 150% (c) 200% (d) 400%

6. A body of mass m is moving in a circle of radius r with a constant speed v. The force on the body is mv2/r
and is directed towards the center. What is the work done by the force in moving the body half the
circumference of the circle:

mv 2 mv 2 r 2
(a)  r (b) zero (c) (d)
r r2 mv 2

7. When the force retards the motion of a body, the work done by the force is
(a) zero
(b) negative
(c) positive
(d) positive or negative depending upon the magnitude of force and displacement.

8. A particle moves with a velocity v = 5iˆ  3 ˆj  6kˆ m/s under the influence of a constant force

F  10 iˆ  10 ˆj  20 kˆ N. The instantaneous power applied to the particle is

(a) 200 J/s (b) 140 J/s (c) 40 J/s (d) 170 J/s

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

9. A chain is held on a frictionless table with one third of its length hanging over the edge. If the chain has a
length L and mass M, how much work is required to pull the hanging part back on the table
MgL MgL MgL
(a) mgL (b) (c) (d)
3 9 18

10. When work done by force of gravity is negative

(a) Potential energy increases (b) Kinetic energy decreases
(c) Potential energy remains constant (d) Potential energy decreases

11. A long spring is stretched by x its PE is U. If the spring is stretched by Nx the PE stored in it will be
U U
(a) (b) NU (c) N2U (d)
N N3

12. There is a hemispherical bowl of radius R. A block of mass m slides from the rim of the bowl to the bottom.
The velocity of the block at the bottom will be

(a) Rg (b) 2Rg (c) 2 Rg (d) Rg

13. It requires twenty turns of the stem of a watch to wind the main spring and this stored sufficient energy to
keep the watch running for 30.0 hour. If ten turns are given to the stem, it will run for
(a) 20 hr (b) 15 hr (c) 7.5 hr (d) 3.75 hr

14. A spring of force-constant k is cut into two pieces such that one piece is double the length of the other.
Then the longer piece will have a force-constant of
(a)  2 / 3 k (b)  3 / 2 k (c) 3k (d) 6k

15. An object of mass m is tied to a string of length L and a variable

horizontal force is applied on it which starts at zero and gradually 
increases until the string makes an angle  with the vertical . Work L
done by the force F is
F
(a) mgL(1 - sin) (b) mgL
m
(c) mgL(1 - cos) (d) mgL(1 + cos)
16. A body of mass m is projected at an angle  with the horizontal with an initial velocity u . The mean
power of gravity over the whole time of journey is
1 1
(a) mg cos  (b) mg u cos  (c) mgu sin  (d) zero
2 2

17. A particle of mass m is fixed to one end of a light rigid rod of length l and rotated in a vertical circular
path about its other end. The minimum speed of the particle at its highest point must be

(a) zero (b) gl (c) 1.5g l (d) 2g l

18. An engine develops 10 kW of power. How much time will it take to lift a mass of 200 kg to a height of
40 m (g = 10m/s2)
(a) 4s (b) 5s (c) 8s (d) 10 s

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19. A particle moves in a straight line with retardation proportional to its displacement. Its loss of kinetic
energy for any displacement ‘x’ is proportional to
(a) x (b) x2 (c) ln x (d) ex

20. Under the action of a force, a 2 kg body moves such that its position x as a function of time is given by
3
t
x ; where x is in meter and t is in second, the work done by the force in the first two second is
3
(a) 1600 J (b) 160 J (c) 16 J (d) 1.6 J

Level - II
21. If a simple pendulum of length l has maximum angular displacement  then the maximum kinetic
energy of its bob of mass m is
1 l  1  m g  1   g
(a) m  (b)     (c) mgl  1  cos   (d)  m  
2 g 2  l  2  l 

22. A person pulls a bucket of water from a well of depth h . If the mass of uniform rope is m and that of
the bucket full of water M , the work done by the person is
 m 1 M 
(a)  M   gh (b)  M  m  gh (c)

M 

m 
 gh
2  (d)   m  gh
 2 2  2 

23. A car starts from rest and moves on a surface in which the coefficient of friction between the road and the
tyres increases linearly with distance  x  . The car moves with the maximum possible acceleration. The
kinetic energy  E  of the car will depend on x as
1 1
(a) E µ (b) E µ (c) E µ x (d) E µ x2
x2 x

24. A cord is used to lower vertically a block of mass M a distance d at a constant downward acceleration
of g / 4 . Then the work done by the cord on the block is
Mgd Mgd 3 Mgd 3 Mgd
(a) (b)  (c) (d)
4 4 4 4

25. If the kinetic energy of a body is directly proportional to time t , the magnitude of the force acting on the
body is
(a) directly proportional to t (b) inversely proportional to t
(c) directly proportional to the speed of the body (d) inversely proportional to the speed of the body
F
26. If the block is pulled by a force F which is always tangential to the surface O B

then, the work done by this force between A and B is

(a) FR (b) 2 FR F
F

(c) FR (d) FR A
2
27. Power supplied to a particle of mass 2 kg varies with time as p  3 t 2 / 2 watt. Here t is in second. If
velocity of particle at t  0 is v  0 , the velocity of partial at time t  2 s will be
(a) 1 m/s (b) 4 m/s (c) 2 m/s (d) 2 2 m/s

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

28. A ball is released from the top of a tower. the ratio of work done by force of gravity in first, second and
third second of the motion of ball is
(a) 1:2:3 (b) 1 : 4 : 16 (c) 1:3:5 (d) 1 : 9 : 25
29. The potential energy function for the force between two atoms of a diatomic molecule is given by
U  x   a / x 12  b / x 6 , where a and b are positive constant and x is the distance between the atoms.
The minimum energy needed to break up the molecule is
(a) 2a2 / b (b) b / 2a2 (c) b2 / 4 a (d)  b2 / 4 a

30. A block of mass m is pulled by a constant power P placed on a rough horizontal plane. The friction
coefficient between the block and the surface is  . Maximum velocity of the block will be
(a) P / mg (b) mg / P (c) mgP (d) P / mg

31. A boy pulls a 5 kg block 20m along a horizontal surface at a constant speed with a force directed 45° above
the horizontal. If the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.2, how much work does the boy do on the block?
(a) 32.5 J (b) 113.5 J (c) 163.3 J (d) 25.00 J

32. A wind-powered generator converts wind energy into electrical energy. Assume that the generator
converts a fixed friction of the wind energy intercepted by its blades into electrical energy. For wind speed
v, the electrical power output will be proportional to speed v as
(a) v (b) v2 (c) v3 (d) v4
33. A simple pendulum has a string of length l and bob of mass m . When the bob is at its lowest position, it
is given the minimum horizontal speed necessary for it to move in a circular path about the point of
suspension. The tension in the string at the lowest position of the bob is
(a) 3 mg (b) 4 mg (c) 5 mg (d) 6 mg

34. The diagrams in the following figures represents the potential energy U of a diatomic molecule as a
function of the inter-atomic distance r . Which corresponds to stable molecules found in nature:

U U U U

r r r r

(a) (b) (c) (d)

35. A mass of 2 kg falls from a height of 40 cm on a spring of force constant 1960 N/m. The spring is
compressed by
(a) 10 cm (b) 0.4 cm (c) 0.01 cm (d) 0.04 cm

36.

 
A force F   k y ˆi  xˆj , where k is a positive constant, acts on a particle moving in the xy plane.
Starting from the origin, the particle is taken along the positive x  axis to the point  a , 0  , and then
parallel to the y  axis to the point  a, a  . The total work done by the force on the particle is
(a)  2k a 2 (b) 2k a 2 (c)  ka2 (d) ka2

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Exercise - III
Objective Type (More than One Choice Correct)
1. Which of the following can be negative
(a) Kinetic energy (b) Potential energy (c) Mechanical energy (d) All of these
2. Which of the following may not be conserved
(a) Energy (b) Potential energy
(c) Mechanical energy (d) Kinetic energy
3. A particle is acted upon by a force of constant magnitude which is always perpendicular to the velocity of
the particle. The motion of the particle takes place in a plane. It follows that:
(a) its velocity is constant (b) its acceleration is constant
(c) its kinetic energy is constant (d) it moves in a circular path
4. Work done by a force on an object is zero, if:
(a) the force is always perpendicular to its acceleration
(b) the object is stationary but the point of application of the force moves on the object
(c) the force is always perpendicular to its velocity
(d) the object moves in such a way that the point of application of the force remains fixed
5. A block of mass 2 kg is hanging over a smooth and light pulley through a light
string. The other end of the string is pulled by a constant force F = 40 N. The kinetic
energy of the particle increases 40 J in a given interval of time. Then (g = 10 m/s2)
(a) tension in the string is 40 N
(b) displacement of the block in the given interval of time is 2m
F
(c) work done by gravity is – 20 J
(d) work done by tension is 80 J 2kg

6. A particle moves in a straight line with constant acceleration under a constant force F. Select the correct
alternative (s)
(a) Power developed by this force varies linearly with time
(b) Power developed by this force varies parabolically with time
(c) Power developed by this force varies linearly with displacement
(d) Power developed by this force varies parabolically with displacement
7. One end of a light spring of force constant k is fixed to a wall and other end is tied to a block placed on a
1 2
smooth horizontal surface. For displacement x, the work done by the spring is kx . The possible case (s)
2
may be
(a) the spring was initially stretched by a distance x and finally was in its natural length
(b) the spring was initially in its natural length and finally it was compressed by a distance x
(c) the spring was initially compressed by a distance x and finally was in its natural length
(d) the spring was initially in its natural length and finally stretched by a distance x

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8. In projectile motion power of gravitational force

(a) is constant throughout
(b) is negative for first half, zero at topmost point and positive for rest half
(c) varies linearly with time
(d) is positive for complete path
9. The potential energy U of a particle of mass 1kg moving in x-y plane obeys the law U = 3x + 4y, where (x,
y) are the co-ordinates of the particle in metre. If the particle is at rest at (6, 4) at time t = 0 then
(a) the particle has constant acceleration
(b) the particle has zero acceleration
(c) the speed of particle when it crosses the y-axis 10 m/s
(d) co-ordinate of particle at t = 1s are (4.5, 2)
10. A block is suspended by an ideal spring of force constant k. If the block is pulled down by applying a
constant force F and If maximum displacement of block from its initial mean position of rest is x0 then:
2
(a) increase in energy stored in spring is k x0
3F
(b) x0 
2k
2F
(c) x0 
k
(d) work done by applied force F is Fx0

11. A smooth track in the form of a quarter circle of radius 6 m lies in a vertical 6m P2
  
plane. A particle moves from P 1 to P2 under the action of force F1 , F2 and F3 .
  
Force F1 is always towards P2 and is always 20N in magnitude force F2 6m F1
 
F3
always acts horizontally and is always 30N in magnitude. Force F3 always 
F2
acts tangentially to the track and is of magnitude 15N. Select the correct P1
alternative (s)
 
(a) Work done by F1 is 120 J (b) Work done by F2 is 180 J
 
(c) Work done by F3 is 45  (d) F1 is conservative in nature
12. A small spherical ball is suspended through a string of length l. The whole arrangement is placed in a
vehicle which is moving with velocity v. Now suddenly the vehicle stops and balls starts moving along a
circular path. If tension in the string at the highest point is twice the weight of the ball then

(a) v  5gl (b) v  7gl

(c) velocity of the ball at highest point is gl (d) velocity of the ball at the highest point is 3gl
13. In the pulley-block system shown in figure strings are light. Pulleys are massless and smooth. System is
released from rest. In 0.3 second
(a) work done on 2 kg block by gravity is 6 J (b) work done on 2 kg block by string is – 2 J
(c) work don on 1 kg block by gravity is – 1.5 J (d) work done on 1 kg block by string is 2 J

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
14. A particle is acted upon by a conservative force F  (7iˆ  6 ˆj)N (no other force is acting on the particle).
Under the influence of this force particle moves from (0, 0) to (– 3m, 4m) then:
(a) work done by the force is 3 J (b) work done by the force is – 45 J
(c) at (0, 0) speed of the particle must be zero (d) at (0, 0) speed of the particle must not be zero
15. Power of a force acting on block varies with time t as shown in figure. P (watt_
Then angle between force acting on the block and its velocity is:
10
(a) acute at t = 1s 6 8 10
t(s)
(b) 90° at t = 3s – 10 2 4

(c) obtuse at t = 7s
(d) change in kinetic energy from t = 0, to t =10s is 20J

*****

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

Exercise - IV
Comprehensive / Matching Type
Passage – 1
Consider the arrangement shown in figure. An object of mass m1 = 4 kg
is connected to another object of mass m2 = 6 kg by a massless string that
passes over a massless and frictionless pulley. Initially, the 4 kg object is
in contact with the floor and the 6 kg object is held at rest at a height 9m
above the floor. At t = 0, the 6 kg object is released (Take g = 10 m/s2) m2 6 kg

1. Speed of the 4 kg object just when the 6 kg object hits the floor is 9m
4 kg m1
(a) 6 m/s (b) 8 m/s (c) 4.5 m/s
7.2 m/s
2. Tension in the string at t = 2.5s is
(a) 100 N (b) 18 N (c) 48 N (d) zero
3. Tension in the string at t = 3.2 s is
(a) 100 N (b) 24 N (c) 48 N (d) zero
4. Height of the 4 kg object from the floor when the 6 kg object is moving at 4 m/s is
(a) 5.2 m (b) 1.6 m (c) 2m (d) 4 m
5. Maximum height above the floor to which 4 kg object rises is
(a) 8.2 m (b) 10.8 m (c) 9m (d) 11.4 m

Passage – 2
A particle is moving along X-axis under a conservative force and its potential U (x) in Joule
energy U varies with x co-ordinate as shown in figure. It is evident that the P Z
10
variation has an oscillating behaviour P, Q, R, S, X, Y and Z are points
Q Y
indicated on the curve R X
x in metre
1. Force is positive at
(a) Q and R (b) X and Y –10
S
(c) Q only (d) P, Q, R and S
2. Force is negative at
(a) Y only (b) S, X, Y and Z (c) X and Y (d) Q only
3. Force has a maximum magnitude at
(a) P, S and Z (b) Q and Y (c) P and Z (d) R and X
4. Equilibrium is indicated by which point (s)?
(a) R and X (B) P, S and Z (c) S only (d) P and X

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5. Equilibrium is stable at
(a) P (b) S (c) R (d) X
6. Equilibrium is unstable at
(a) P (b) S (c) R (d) X

Passage – 3
In a diatomic molecule, potential energy of two atom is approximately given by
A B
U(r ) = 6
+ 12
r r
where r is the interatomic spacing and A and B are positive constants. Assuming the interatomic force to be
conservative, the corresponding force law is also called Lennard-Jones Law. It can be made out from the
interatomic force law that atoms exert attractive force on each other as the separation between them reduces.
The force law also tells that the force is repulsive at very short separations.
1. Equilibrium distance between the two atoms in a diatomic molecules can be expressed as

A æ2B ö÷1/ 6 æA ö÷1/ 6 æ A ö÷1/ 6

(a) (b) çç ÷ (c) çç ÷ (c) çç ÷
B çè A ø÷ çè B ø÷ çè 2 B ø÷

2. If the interatomic separation between the atoms of a diatomic molecule is equal to its equilibrium value,
this equilibrium will be
(a) unstable
(b) neutral
(c) stable
(d) uncertain in its behaviour, i.e., its stable, unstable or neutral nature cannot be predicted
3. If the interatomic separation is equal to its equilibrium value, potential energy will then have
(a) negative sign and maximum magnitude (b) positive sign and maximum magnitude
(c) positive sign and maximum magnitude (d) none of these
4. If the interatomic separation is equal to its equilibrium value, what minimum energy must be given to the
molecule in order dissociate it?

B2 A2 B2 A2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4A B 2A 4B
5. If the interatomic separation has such a value that potential energy is zero, interatomic force will then be
(a) attractive
(b) repulsive
(c) zero
(d) uncertain regarding its sign, i.e., its attractive or repulsive nature cannot be determined.

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

Passage – 4

Force acting on a particle moving in the X-Y plane is F = ( yiˆ + x 2 ˆj )N , x and y are Y
A( 10m, 10m)
in metre. Ass shown in figure (A), the particle moves from the origin ‘O’ to point A. M
(10m, 10m). The figure shows three paths, OLA, OMA and OA for the motion of
particle from O to A. O X
L
1. Which of the following correct?
(a) The given force is conservative
(b) The given force is non-conservative
(c) Conservative or non-conservative nature of force can be predicted on the basis of given information
(d) There is equal probability for the force being conservative or non-conservative
2. Along which of the three paths is the work done maximum?
(a) OMA
(b) OA
(c) OLA
(d) Work done has the same value for all the three paths
3. Work done for motion along the path OA is nearly
(a) 1000 J (b)
629 J (c) 383 J (d) 437 J

Now consider another situation. A force F = (4iˆ + 3 ˆj )N acts on a particle of Y
L
mass 2 kg. The particle under the action of this force, moves from the origin to O X
a point A (4m – 8m). Initial speed of the particle, i.e., its speed at the origin is 4
m/s. Figure (B) shows three paths for the motion of particle from O to A. M A( 4m, –8m)
4. Which of the following correct?
(a) The force is conservative
(b) The force is non-conservative
(c) Conservative or non-conservative nature of the force cannot be predicted on the basis of given
information
(d) There is equal probability for the force being conservative or non-conservative
5. Speed of the particle at A will be nearly
(a) 5.6 m/s (b) 3.6 m/s (c) 2.8 m/s (d) 4.4 m/s
6. If potential energy at O is 32 J, potential energy at A will be
(a) 40 J (b) 24 J (c) 32 J (d) 14.5 J

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Matching Type Questions

1. A force F = kx (where k is a positive constant) is acting on a particle. Work done
Column I Column II
(A) in displacing the body from x = 2 to x = 4 (P) Negative
(B) in displacing the body from x = – 4 to x = –2 (Q) Positive
(C) in displacing the body from x = –2 to x = + 2 (R) Zero
2 kg
(a) A-Q; B-P; C-R (b) A-Q; B-Q; C-R
(c) A-Q; B-Q; C-Q (d) A-P; B-Q; C-R 1 kg

2. F-x and corresponding U-x graph are shown in figure. Three points A, B and C in F-x graph may be
corresponding to P, Q and R in the U-x graph. Match the following
F U
P

x Q
A C x

B R
Column I Column II
(A) A (P) P
(B) B (Q) Q
(C) C (R) R
(S) None of these
(a) A-P; B-Q; C-R (b) A-R; B-S; C-P (c) A-R; B-Q; C-P (d) A-P; B-S; C-R

3. A block of mass m is stationary with respect to a rough wedge as shown in figure. Starting from rest in
time t, (m = 1 kg,  = 30°, a = 2 m/s2, t = 4s) work done on block

a


Column I Column II
(A) By gravity (P) 144 J
(B) By normal reaction (Q) 32 J
(C) By friction (R) 160 J
(D) By all the forces (S) 48 J
(T) None of these
(a) A-R; B-P; C-S; D-Q (b) A-T; B-P; C-S; D-Q
(c) A-T; B-S; C-Q; D-S (d) A-R; B-S; C-Q; D-S

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

4. A body is moved along a straight line by a machine delivering power proportional to time (P  t). Then
match the following
Column I Column II
(A) Velocity is proportional to (P) t
(B) Displacement is proportional (Q) t2
(C) Work done is proportional to (R) t3
(a) A-P; B-Q; C-Q (b) A-P; B-Q; C-R (c) A-Q; B-R; C-R (d) A-P; B-Q; C-P

5. A pendulum is released from point A as shown in figure. At some instant net force on the bob is making
an angle  with the string. Then match the following

A A

B
(A) For  < 90° (P) Particle may be moving along BA
(B) For  > 90° (Q) Particle may be moving along CB
(C) For  = 90° (R) Particle is at A
(D) For  = 0° (S) Particle is at B
(T) None
(a) A-Q; B-Q; C-S; D-R (b) A-P; B-Q; C-R; D-S
(c) A-P, Q; B-T; C-R; D-S (d) A-P; B-Q; C-S; D-R

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Exercise - V
Subjective Type
1. A 200 g ball thrown vertically up with an initial speed of 20 m/s reaches a maximum height of 18 m. Find
(a) the change in its kinetic energy
(b) the work done by gravity
(c) Are the two quantities just calculated equal? Explain why or why not?
2. A force varies the position as shown in the figure. Find the work done by it from
(a) x = -4 to +4m (b) x = 0 to –2 m
F (N)

10

-4 -2 2 4 x(m)

-10

3. Two block of masses m1 = 5 kg and m2 = 2 kg hang on either side of a frictionless cylinder as shown in the
figure. If the system starts at rest, what is the speed of m1 after it has fallen 40 cm?

m1 m2

4. A projectile is fired at 25 m/s in a direction 60 o above the horizontal from a rooftop of height 40 m. Use
energy considerations to find
(a) the speed with which it lands on the ground (b) the height at which its speed is 15 m/s

5. Consider the situation as shown in figure. The system is 4.0 kg

released from rest and the block of mass 1.0 kg is found to
have a speed 0.3 m/s after it has descended through a
distance of 1 m. Find the coefficient of kinetic friction
between the block and the table.

1.0 kg

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

6. A 2 kg block slides on a frictionless horizontal surface and is k

connected on one side to a spring (k = 40 N/m) as shown in 2 kg
the figure. The other side is connected to a 4 kg block that
hangs vertically. The system starts from rest with the spring 4 kg
un-extended.
(a) What is the maximum extension of the spring?
(b) What is the speed of the 4 kg block when the extension is 50 cm?
7. A 75 kg parachutist is attached to an 8 kg parachute. She jumps from a plane flying at 140 km/h at an altitude
of 1 km and immediately opens the parachute. If she lands vertically at 7 m/s, find the work done by the
parachute on the air?
8. A tool being sharpened is held against a grinding wheel of radius 4
cm with a force of 20 N directed radially inward, as shown in the
figure. If the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.4, how much work is
done by the wheel on the tool in 12 revolutions?

9. The variation of a force with position is depicted in figure. Find the work from
(a) x = 0 to x = -A
(b) x = +A to x = 0.
Fx

Fo

-A A x

-Fo

10. A block of mass m is kept over another block of mass M and the system rests m
on a horizontal surface. A constant horizontal force F acting on the lower M F
F
block produces an acceleration in the system, the two blocks
2  M  m
always move together.
(a) Find the coefficient of kinetic friction between the bigger block and the horizontal surface.
(b) Find the frictional force acting on the smaller block.
(c) Find the work done by the force of friction on the smaller block by the bigger block during a
displacement d of the system.
11. A 5 kg block is dropped from a height of 60 cm m
above the top of a vertical string whose stiffness
constant is k = 1230 N/m. Find the maximum 60 cm
compression.

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12. Two blocks with masses m1 = 5kg and m2 = 3 kg are

connected by a light thread that passes over frictionless
pulleys shown in figure. The smaller mass is attached to a
spring (k = 32 N/m). If the system starts at rest with the
spring unextended, find
(a) the maximum displacement of the larger mass m2 m1
(b) the speed of the larger mass after it has fallen 1m.

13. A small object slides without friction from the height B A

H  = 50 cm and then loops the vertical loop of radius 2
R  = 20 cm from which a symmetrical section of angle 2 H
R
has been removed. Find angle  such that after losing
contact at A and flying through the air, the object will
reach point B.
14. A chain of length l and mass m lies on the surface of a smooth sphere of radius R > l with one end tied to
the top of the sphere.
(a) Find the gravitational potential energy of the chain with reference level at the centre of the sphere.
(b) Suppose the chain is released and slides down the sphere. Find the kinetic energy of the chain, when
it has slide through an angle .
dv
(c) Find the tangential acceleration of the chain when the chain starts sliding down.
dt

*****

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

Exercise - VI
IIT-JEE Problems
A. Multiple Choice Questions with ONE correct answer
1. An alpha particle of energy 5 MeV is scattered through 180° by a fixed uranium nucleus. The distance of
closest approach is of the order of
o
(a) 1 A (b) 10 10 cm (c) 10 12 cm (d) 10 15 cm

2. A particles of mass m is moving in a circular path of constant radius r such that its centripetal
acceleration a c is varying with time t as a c  k 2 rt 2 where k is a constant. The power delivered to
the particles by the force acting on it is

(a) 2 mk 2 r 2 t (b) mk 2 r 2 t (c)

mk 4 2 5
r t  (d) zero
3

3. A spring of force-constant k is cut into two pieces such that one piece is double the length of the other.
Then the long piece will have a force-constant of
(a) 2 / 3 k (b) 3 / 2 k (c) 3k (d) 6k

4. A wind-powered generator converts wind energy into electrical energy. Assume that the generator
converts a fixed fraction of the wind energy intercepted by its blades into electrical energy. For wind speed
V , the electrical power output will be proportional to
(a) V (b) V2 (c) V3 (d) V4

5. A particle, which is constrained to move along the x  axis, is subjected to a force in the same direction
which varies with the distance x of the particle from the origin as F  x    kx  ax 3 . Here k and a
are positive constants. For x  0 , the functional form of the potential energy U  x  of the particle is

U(x) U(x) U(x) U(x)

(a) X (b) X (c) X (d) X

6. An ideal spring with spring-constant k is hung from the ceiling and a block of mass M is attached to its
lower end. The mass is released with the spring initially un-stretched. Then the maximum extension in the
spring is
4 Mg 2 Mg Mg Mg
(a) (b) (c) (d)
k k k 2k

B
7. If W1 , W2 and W3 represent the work done in moving a particle from A to B m
along three different paths 1, 2 and 3 respectively (as shown) in the gravitational 1 2
field of a point mass m , find the correct relation between W1 , W2 and W3 3
A

(a) W1  W2  W3 (b) W1  W2  W3 (c) W1  W2  W3 (d) W2  W1  W3

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8. A particle is acted by a force F  kx , where k is a +ve constant. Its potential energy at x  0 is zero.
Which curve correctly represents the variation of potential energy of the block with respect to x
U U U U

(a ) x (b) x (c) x (d) x

B. Multiple Choice Questions with ONE or MORE THAN ONE correct answer
9. A body is moved along a straight line by a machine delivering constant power. The distance moved by the
body in time t is proportional to
(a) t1 / 2 (b) t3 / 4 (c) t3 / 2 (d) t2

10. A uniform chain of length L and mass M is lying on a smooth table and one third of its length is
hanging vertically down over the edge of the table. If g is acceleration due to gravity, the work required
to pull the hanging part on the table is
(a) MgL (b) MgL / 3 (c) MgL / 9 (d) MgL / 18

11. A particle is acted upon by a force of constant magnitude which is always perpendicular to the velocity of
the particle. The motion of the particle takes place in a plane. If follows that
(a) its velocity is constant (b) its acceleration is constant
(c) its kinetic energy is constant (d) it moves in a circular path

12. A linear harmonic oscillator of force constant 2  10 6 N/m and amplitude 0.01 m has a total mechanical
energy of 160 J. Its
(a) maximum potential energy is 100 J (b) maximum kinetic energy is 100 J
(c) maximum potential energy is 160 J (d) maximum potential energy is zero

13. 
A force FG   K y iˆ  x ˆj  (where K is a positive constant) acts on a particle moving in the xy
plane. Starting from the origin, the particle is taken along the positive x  axis to the point  a , 0  , and
then parallel to the y  axis to the point  a, a  . The total work done by the force F on the particle is
(a) 2 K a2 (b) 2 Ka 2 (c)  Ka 2 (d) Ka 2

*****

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 Chapter-5 / Work and Energy

Answers
Exercise - I
True/False
1. False 2. False 3. True 4. False 5. True
6. True 7. True

Fill in the Blanks

1. parallel, opposite and perpendicular 2. joule 3. do work
1
4. mv 2 5. initial kinetic energy, all the forces acting on it
2
6. Conservation 7. kinetic energy, potential energy
8. applied forces do no work 9. position or configuration
10. arbitrary 11. work done by conservation forces.
12. heat energy 13. negative
14. near the surface of earth 15. work is done
16. watt 17. energy.

Assertion and Reason

1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (e) 4. (a) 5. (e)
6. (a) 7. (e) 8. (e) 9. (a) 10. (c)

Exercise - II
Only One Option is correct
Level - I
1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (a)
6. (b) 7. (d) 8. (b) 9. (d) 10. (a)
11. (c) 12. (b) 13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (c)
16. (d) 17. (a) 18. (c) 19. (b) 20. (c)
Level - II
21. (c) 22. (a) 23. (d) 24. () 25. (c)
26. (c) 27. (c) 28. (c) 29. (c) 30. (d)
31. (c) 32. (c) 33. (d) 34. (a) 35. (a)
36. (c)

Exercise - III
More Than One Choice Correct
1. (b, c) 2. (b, c, d) 3. (c, d) 4. (b, c, d) 5. (a, b, d)
6. (a, d) 7. (a, c) 8. (b, c) 9. (a, c, d) 10. (c, d)
11. (b, c, d) 12. (b, d) 13. (a, b, c, d) 14. (b, d) 15. (a, c, d)

Exercise - IV
Passage – 1
1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (d) 5. (b)

Passage – 2
1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (b)

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6. (a)

Passage – 3
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (b)

Passage – 4
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (c)
6. (a)

Matching Type Questions

1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (a) 5. (c)

Exercise - V
Subjective Type
1. (a) – 40 J; (b) –36 J (c) No, air resistance 2. (a) 30 J; (b) -10 J
3. 1.83 m/s 4. (a) 37.5 m/s; (b) 60.4 m 5. 0.115
6. (a) 1.96 m; (b) 2.21 m/s 7. 8.74 ´ 105 J 8. 24.1 J
Fo Ao FA F mF mFd
9. (a) (b)  o o 10. (a) ; (b) ; (c)
2 2 2  M  m g 2  M  m 2  M  m
11. 26.6 cm 12. (a) 1.23 m (b) 0.95 m/s 13. 60°.
Rg  l 
1  cos   
mR2 g l mR2 g l l
14. (a) .sin( );(b)
R
.[sin( ) + sin - sin( +
R R
)];(c) 
l   R 
l l

Exercise - VI
IIT-JEE Level Problem
Section - A
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (c) 5. (d)
6. (b) 7. (b) 8. (b)
Section - B
9. (c) 10. (d) 11. (c, d) 12. (c, d) 13. (c)

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