HOTS : Work , Power & Energy

Problem 1: A particle of mass m is displaced from a position P1 to P2 with position vectors

and

by a force

. Find the work done by the

force.
Solution: If the displacement of the particle is , the work done W by the given force is equal to
W = F.S , when F is a constant force.
W = F.S

(1)

where

(2)
and
(3)
Using (1), (2) and (3)

W = (c-a)b + (a-b)c + (b-c)a

W = bc ab + ac bc + ab ac = 0
Net work done by the force for the given displacement is zero.
Problem 2 : A block is projected horizontally on a rough horizontal floor. The coefficient of
friction between the block and the floor is m. The block strikes a light spring of stiffness k with
a velocity v0. Find the maximum compression of the spring

Solution:

Since the block slides and the spring is compressed through a distance x the net retarding force
acting on it
= F = kx + N = ( mg + kx)
Work done by net force for the displacement x is

Problem 3: Two smooth balls of mass m1 and m2 connected by a light inextensible string are
at the opposite points of horizontal diameter of a smooth semi cylindrical surface of radius R.
If m1 is released, find its speed at any angular distance q moved by m2

Solution:

Let the ball m2 move through an angle . The mass m will fall through a distance h1 = R . The
ball m2 rises through a height h2 as,
h2 = R sin .
The change in gravitational potential energy of m1 is
PE1 = -m1gh1 = -m1 gR
(since m1 loses its potential energy as it falls down).
The change in gravitational potential energy of m2 is
PE2 = m2gh2 = m2gR sin
(since m2 gains potential energy as it rises up)
The total change in gravitational potential energy ,
PE = PE1 + PE2
PE = -m1gR + m2gR sin = gR (m2 sin m1).
The change in KE of the system (m1 + m2)
= KE = (1/2)m1v2 + (1/2) m2v2

(2)

where v = speed of m1 and m2 at the positions as shown in the

figure.
From the principle of conservation of energy we obtain,
KE + PE = 0

(3)

Using (1), (2) and (3), we obtain,

(1/2)(m1 + m2)v2 gR (m1 m2 sin ) = 0

Problem 4 : A block of mass M initially has a velocity v0 when it just touches a spring. The
block moves through a distance l before it stops after compressing the spring. The spring
constant is k and the coefficient of kinetic friction between block and table is m. As the block
moves the distance I, (a) what is the work done on it by the spring force? Are there other
forces acting on the block, and if so, what work do they do? (b) what is the total work done on
the block? (c) use the work-energy theorem to find the value of l in terms of M, v0, m, g and k.

Solution:
(a) The net force acting on the block by the spring is equal to

Work done by the spring

(b) The total work done= W = KE = 0 (1/2) m vo2 = (1/2)m vo2

(c) The work done by friction = mgl

The total work done = mgl (1/2)kl2
= (1/2)m vo2

Problem 5 : A wedge of mass M with a smooth quarter circular plane, is kept on a rough
horizontal surface. A particle of mass m is released from rest from the top of the wedge as
shown in the figure. When the particle slides along the quarter circular plane, it exerts a
force on the wedge. If the wedge begins to slide when the particle exerts a maximum
horizontal force on it, find the coefficient of friction between the wedge & the horizontal
surface.

Solution :

In order to find the coefficient of friction m at the time of maximum horizontal thrust (Fx)max
exerted on the wedge by the particle given by the formula
= fmax /N . . . (i)

Where fmax = maximum static friction between the wedge & ground.
(limiting friction ) that must be equal to the maximum horizontal force
(Fx)max for prevalence of sliding of the wedge & N = normal force offered by the horizontal
surface on the wedge.
(F)max & N can be calculated as follows. Let the particle attain a speed v at the angular
position as shown in the free body diagram.
Since the particle accelerates towards the centre O with an acceleration a = v2/r , the force
exerted on it must be radially inwards.

R mg sin = ma = mv2/r

R = mg sin + mv2/r
. . . (ii)
Conserving energy of the particle between position 1 & 2 we obtain
(KE)12 = (PE) 12
(1/2)mv2 = mgh = mr sin . G
v = (2gr sin)

. . . (iii)

Elimination of v between (ii) & (iii) yields

R = 3 mg sin
. .. (iv)

the horizontal force acting on the wedge = Fx =R cos

Fx =(3 mg sin ) cos

= 3mg sin cos
= (3/2)mg sin 2 .. . (v)
For Fx to be maximum sin 2 = 1
= 450 Putting in equation (v) horizontally
we obtain ( Fx)max = (3/2) mg
. . . (vi)
Resolving forces acting on the wedge for its equilibrium along horizontal & vertical we obtain,
fmax (Fx)max = Ma = 0 & N Mg R sin = May = 0
fmax = (Fx)max = mg & N = Mg + R sin | = /4

using (I) the values of fmax & N we obtain

Problem 6: In the figure shown stiffness of the spring is k and mass of the block is m. The
pulley is fixed. Initially the block m is held such that, the elongation in the spring is zero and
then released from rest. Find :
(a) the maximum elongation in the spring
(b) the maximum speed of the block m.
Neglect the mass of the spring, pulley and that of the string.

Solution:

(a) Let the maximum elongation in the spring be x, when the block is at position 2.
The displacement of the block m is also x. If E1 and E2 are the energies of the system when
the block is at position 1 and 2 respectively. Then

E1 = U1g + U1s + T1
Where U1g = gravitational P.E. with respect to surface S.
U1S = P.E. stored in the spring.
T1 = initial K.E. of the block.
E1 = mgh1 + 0 + 0 = mgh1

. . . (1)

and E2 = U2g + U2s + T2

= mgh2 + (1/2)kx2 + 0

. . . (2)

From conservation of energy E1 = E2

mgh1 = mgh2 + (1/2)kx2
(1/2)kx2 = mg( h1 h2 )
x = 2mg/k

(b) The speed of the block will be maximum when it is at the equilibrium point. Let xo be the
elongation in the spring. When the block is at equilibrium point
from conservation of energy
mgh1 = mg(h1 xo) + (1/2) mv2 + (1/2)kx2
Problem 7: A heavy particle hanging from a fixed point by a light inextensible string of
length l is projected horizontally with speed . Find the speed of the particle and the
inclination of the string to the vertical at the instant of the motion when the tension in the
string is equal to the weight of the particle.
Solution :

Let tension in the string become equal to the weight of the particle when particle reaches the
point B and deflection of the string from vertical is q. Resolving mg along the string and
perpendicular to the string, we get net radial force on the particle at B i.e.
FR = T mg cos

. . . (i)

If v be the speed of the particle at B, then

FR = mv2/l

. . . (ii)

From (i) and (ii), we get

T mg cos =

mv2/l

. . . (iii)

Since at B, T = mg
mg(1 cos ) = mv2/l
v2 = gl (1 cos) . . . . (iv)
Conserving the energy of the particle at point A and B, we have

where vo = (gl) and v = [gl(1cos)]

gl = 2gl(1 cos) + gl (1 cos)
cos = 2/3

. . . . (v)

Putting the value of cos in equation (iv) we get

v = (gl/3)