Topic 3: Work, Kinetic Energy, and Potential Energy Science 8: Unit D Topic 3: Work, Kinetic Energy, and Potential Energy
Potential Energy Energy that is stored in an object because of its position or special condition. Eg. the arrow in the photo has PE because if the bow is released the arrow will fly out with a large amount of kinetic energy.
Gravitational Potential Energy A form of PE – Energy is stored in the object because of its position above the ground (ie. it can fall). If the object is released or falls its GPE will change to KE. Eg. the people in the photo have GPE compared to river below.
Kinetic Energy The energy of motion. Any object with mass that is moving with an speed has this energy.
The Connection Between Work and Energy Remember: Any time work is done energy is changed or moved from an object/area to another. If a can of paint is lifted to a shelf, work is done and its GPE is increased (by the same amount). If a sports car travelling with a KE of 10000J hits a pedestrian, it will do work on the pedestrian by increasing his KE (and also breaking more than a few bones).
Bullet (with KE) doing work on an Apple.
The Formulas Work, GPE, and KE are all measured in the same units: Joules (J). KE = 0.5XmassXspeedXspeed or ½XmXs2 Mass is in kg Speed is in metres/second (m/s) GPE = massXgXheight or mgh G = 9.8 N/kg h is in metres
Example Problems Eg1. Tommy is a construction worker (m=65 kg) working on the new Freedom Tower in NYC. If he’s sitting on a beam 80 m above the ground, what’s his GPE and KE relative to the ground? GPE = mgh = 65kgX9.8N/kg*80m = 129360 J or 129 kJ. KE = 0 J as he’s not moving.
Examples Cont’d Eg2. Tommy drops an apple (m= 0.05 kg)and watches it fall. If is falling at a speed of 30 m/s and is 15 m above the ground, what is its GPE and KE? KE = 0.5XmXsXs = 0.5 X 0.05 kg X 30 m/s X 30 m/s = 22.5 J GPE = mgh = 0.05 kg X 9.8 N/kg X 15 m = 7.4 J
Efficiency of Machines Work is the transfer of energy from a source to a destination. The job of a machine is to transfer the work from source to destination. How well it does this is its efficiency. % Efficiency = Workoutput/Workinput*100%
Transformation and Transmission Transmission - The moving of energy from one place to another without changing the type of energy it is. Eg. Moving energy from the pedal of the bike to the wheel of the bike is transmission. Chemical energy in your body to moving energy of your foot is not transmission. Transformation – the changing of the energy’s form (eg. light to heat, electricity to sound)