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978-1-316-64441-6 — A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book (AS/A Level)
Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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1 Work, energy and power 1

In this chapter you will learn how to:

• calculate the work done by a force

• calculate kinetic energy
• use the work–energy principle
• equate gravitational potential energy to work done against gravity
• perform calculations using power.

Before you start…

GCSE You should know how to convert units 1 Convert 15 000 metres to kilometres.
of distance, speed and time.
A Level Mathematics You should know how to calculate the 2 Calculate the weight of a car of mass
Student Book 1 weight of an object from its mass, and 1150 kg, stating the unit with your
know the unit of weight. answer.
A Level Mathematics You should be able to use Newton’s 3 A resultant force of 50 N acts on an
Student Book 1 second law of motion: object of mass 2.5 kg. Calculate the
F = ma acceleration of the object.
A Level Mathematics You should be able to resolve a force 4 A force of 8 N acts on a particle at an
Student Book 2 into components at right angles to angle of 20° to the positive horizontal
each other. direction. What are the horizontal and
vertical components of the force?

The relationship between work and energy

You have already studied the efect of a force or system of forces in
A Level Mathematics.

In this chapter, you will learn the deinition of the work done by a force,
which is a quantity that is measured in joules, the same units that are
used for energy. You will learn about propulsive and resistive forces. You
will learn about the relationship between work done and two diferent
types of energy: kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy. You
will also learn about power, which is the rate of doing work. Fast forward
Ideas of work, energy and power are crucial in engineering, enabling In Chapter 6, you will learn
engineers to design machines to do useful work. Hydroelectric power about elastic potential energy
stations work by converting the work done by falling water, irst into and its conversion to kinetic
kinetic energy as the hydroelectric turbines rotate and then into energy.
electricity.

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978-1-316-64441-6 — A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book (AS/A Level)
Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book

Section 1: The work done by a force

Work is done by a force when the object it is applied to moves. he
amount of work done is the product of the force and the distance moved
in the direction of the force.

Some forces promote movement, while others resist it. For example,
when you cycle into a breeze, your pedalling promotes movement but
the breeze acts against your movement. Forces that promote movement
are called propulsive forces and those that resist movement are known as
resistive forces.

Other propulsive forces include the tension in a rope being used to drag
an object across the ground and the driving force of a vehicle engine.
he driving force of an engine is often described as its tractive force.
Other resistive forces include friction, vehicle braking and resistance by
moving through still air or a liquid.

Key point 1.1

For a force acting in the direction of motion:

work done = force × distance

Work done is measured in joules (J).

1 joule = 1 newton × 1 metre, i.e. 1 J = 1 N m

For example a force of 5 N acting on an object that moves 15 m in the

direction of the force does 5 × 15 = 75 J of work. Doubling the force
to 10 N over the same distance would double the amount of work
done to 150 J. Likewise, doubling the distance moved to 30 m with
an unchanged force of 5 N would double the amount of work done
to 150 J.

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.1

A box is pushed 5 m across a horizontal loor by a horizontal force of 25 N. Calculate the work done
by the force.

Work done = force × distance

Use the deinition of work done.
= 25 × 5

= 125 J State units of work done (J) with your answer.

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978-1-316-64441-6 — A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book (AS/A Level)
Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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1 Work, energy and power 1

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.2

A truck driver driving along a horizontal road applies a braking force of 75 kN for 25 m. Calculate
the work done by the brakes, giving your answer in kJ.

75 kN = 75 000 N Convert 75 kN to 75 000 N as you need to work in

standard units.

Work done by brakes Use the deinition of work done.

= braking force × distance
= 75 000 × 25
= 1 875 000 J Change J to kJ.

= 1880 kJ (3 s.f.)

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.3

A 50 kg crate is lifted 12 m by a rope and pulley system. Calculate the work done against gravity.

Work done = force × distance Apply the deinition of work done to the gravitational
force. he force needed to lift the crate is equal to the
∴ work done against gravity crate’s weight and the distance moved is height gained.
= weight × height gained
Weight of crate = 50 × 9.8
Calculate the weight of the crate, based on the usual
= 490 N approximation for the acceleration due to gravity of
9.8 m s−2.

Work done against gravity

= weight × height gained
= 490 × 12 Use the deinition of work done.
≈ 5880 J

Key point 1.2 Fast forward

When a mass, m, is raised or lowered through a height h: In Section 3 you will learn
the equivalence of work
work done against or by gravity = weight × height = mg × h
done against gravity and
gravitational potential energy.

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978-1-316-64441-6 — A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book (AS/A Level)
Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.4

A competitor of mass 75 kg dives from a 10-metre-high diving board into a pool. Air resistance
averages 12 N as he descends 10 m through the air. Resistance from the water then averages 3000 N
as he descends 2 m further. Calculate:
a the total work done by gravity as the diver descends 12 metres
b the total work done against air and water resistance during this descent.
a Work done by gravity = 75g × 12
Use mgh to calculate the work done by
= 8820 J gravity.

b Work done against air resistance = 12 × 10

Use force × distance to calculate the work
= 120 J done against each of the resistances.
Work done against water resistance = 3000 × 2
= 6000 J
Total work done against resistances = 6120 J

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.5

A van of mass 1250 kg travels along a straight road. he driving force of the vehicle engine is 500 N
and resistance to motion is 220 N, on average. he van travels 1.5 km from one delivery to the next,
descending 8 m in height. Find:
a the work done by the vehicle engine
b the work done by gravity
c the work done against resistance.

a 1.5 km = 1500 m Convert distance to metres.

Work done by vehicle Use force × distance to calculate the work

engine = 500 × 1500 = 750 000 J done by the vehicle engine.

b Work done by gravity = 1250g × 8 Use mgh to calculate the work done by
= 98 000 J gravity.

c Work done against

resistance = 220 × 1500 Use force × distance to calculate the work
done against resistance.
= 330 000 J

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978-1-316-64441-6 — A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book (AS/A Level)
Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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1 Work, energy and power 1

EXERCISE 1A

1 A parcel is dragged 5 metres across a horizontal loor by a horizontal rope. he tension in the rope is 12 N.
Calculate the work done by the tension in the rope.
2 Susan climbs a vertical rock 32 m high. Susan’s mass is 65 kg. Calculate the work done by Susan against
gravity.
3 Sunil descends a vertical ladder. His mass is 82 kg and the work done by gravity is 2150 J. Find the height
Sunil descends.
4 A ball of mass 100 g is dropped from a window. Calculate the work done by gravity as the ball falls
vertically to the ground 6 m below.
5 A puck slides 50 metres across an ice rink, against a resistive force of 2.5 N. Calculate the work done
against resistance.
6 A cyclist travelling on horizontal ground applies a driving force of 25 N against a headwind of 10 N and a
resistance from friction of 5 N. he cyclist travels 1.2 km. Find:
a the work done by the cyclist b the total work done against wind and friction.
7 A ish basket is raised from the sea loor to a ishing boat at sea level, 18 metres above. he mass of the
basket is 15 kg. he resistance to motion from the seawater is 50 N. Calculate the total work done, against
gravity and water resistance, in raising the ish basket.
8 A driving force of 400 N does 50 kJ of work moving a van along a horizontal road from A to B. Resistance to
motion averages 185 N. Calculate the work done against resistance as the van moves from A to B.

Section 2: Kinetic energy and the work–energy principle

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because it is moving.

Key point 1.3 Tip

If speed is not given in m s−1,
An object of mass m moving with speed v has kinetic energy 1 mv2.
2 you should convert to m s−1
If mass is measured in kg and speed is measured in m s−1, kinetic energy is before you start the rest of your
measured in joules. calculations.

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.6

A particle of mass 1.5 kg is moving with kinetic energy 48 joules. Calculate the speed of the particle.

1 Use the formula for kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy = mv2
2
1 Substitute and rearrange to ind speed.
48 = × 1.5 × v2
2 As mass was given in kg and kinetic energy in joules,
∴ v2 = 64 so v = 8 m s−1 speed is in m s−1. Speed is a positive scalar, so the
negative option of the root can be disregarded.

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978-1-316-64441-6 — A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book (AS/A Level)
Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.7

A cyclist slows down from 25 km h−1 to 10 km h−1. he combined mass of the cyclist and her bicycle
is 95 kg. Calculate the loss of kinetic energy.
Let u be the starting speed and v be To convert km h−1 to m s−1 you must
the inal speed: 1000
multiply by the conversion factor ,
25 3600
u= = 6.944 m s−1 and which simpliies to division by 3.6.
3.6
10
v= = 2.777 m s−1
3.6
1 1 Loss of kinetic energy =
Loss of kinetic energy = mu2 − mv2
2 2 initial kinetic energy − inal kinetic energy
1
Loss of kinetic energy =× 95 × 6.944−2
2
1
− × 95 × 2.782 = 1920 J (3 s.f.)
2

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.8

Calculate the increase in kinetic energy when a boat of mass 2 tonnes changes velocity from
3i + 4j m s−1 to 4.5i + 4.5j m s−1. Give your answer in kJ.
(Starting speed)2 = 32 + 42 = 25 Use Pythagoras’ theorem to convert the
velocity vectors to speeds. You need the
(Final speed)2 = 4.52 + 4.52 = 40.5 square of the speed, not the velocity vector,
for the kinetic energy formula.

1 1 1
Gain in kinetic energy = m(v2 − u2) You can write mv2 − mu2 in factorised form.
2 2 2

2 tonnes = 2000 kg Convert 2 tonnes to 2000 kg.

1
Gain in kinetic energy = × 2000 × (40.5 − 25)
2 Divide by 1000 to convert joules to kJ.
= 15.5 kJ

he work–energy principle is an essential idea in Mechanics that enables

us to calculate the work necessary to cause a change in kinetic energy.

Key point 1.4

he net work done by all the forces acting on a particle, including its own
weight, is equal to the change in kinetic energy of the particle.
work done = 1 mv 2 − 1 mu2
2 2

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Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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1 Work, energy and power 1

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.9

A particle of mass 1.6 kg at rest on a smooth horizontal plane is acted on by a constant horizontal force
of 8 N. Find the speed of the particle after it has travelled 5 metres.
Work done = 8 × 5 = 40 J Work done = force × distance

1
40 = × 1.6 × v2 Work–energy principle: since the particle is
2 1
v2 = 50 starting from rest, work done = mv 2
2
⇒ v = 7.07 m s−1 (3 s.f.)

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.10

Stephen is driving his car along a horizontal road at 55 km h−1 when he notices a broken-down vehicle,
just of the road, 150 m ahead. Stephen and his car have a mass of 1025 kg and the total resistance to
motion is assumed constant at 500 N. Stephen believes he should slow down and that he can slow
down suiciently without applying the brakes. Calculate Stephen’s speed, in km h−1, as he reaches the
broken-down vehicle, taking account of the resistance to motion.

Assume that Stephen allows the resistance to

motion to slow his car down over 150 m. here
is no driving or braking force.
Work done against resistance
= resistive force × distance
Calculate the work done against resistance.
= 500 × 150
= 75 000 J

55
u = 55 km h−1 = = 15.28 m s−1 Convert the initial speed u of 55 km h−1 to m s−1.
3.6
1 2
Write down the expression for loss of
Loss of kinetic energy = ×× m × (u× − v2)
2 kinetic energy.

1 Work–energy principle:
75 000 = × 1025 × (u2 − v 2) work done against resistance = loss of KE
2

2 × 75 000
u2 − v 2 = ≈ 146.34
1025
Substitute for u. Rearrange and solve for v.
v2 =15.282 − 146.3
v = 9.33 m s−1

v = 9.33 × 3.6 km h−1 Convert back to km h−1.

v = 33.6 km h−1 (3 s.f.)

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978-1-316-64441-6 — A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book (AS/A Level)
Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book

EXERCISE 1B

1 Calculate the kinetic energy of a cyclist and her bicycle having a combined mass of 70 kg, travelling at
12 m s −1. Give your answer in kJ.
2 Calculate the mass of an athlete who is running at 8.5 m s −1, with kinetic energy 3500 J.
3 Calculate the speed of a bus of mass 20 tonnes with kinetic energy 1100 kJ. Give your answer in km h−1.
4 A box of mass 5 kg is pulled from A to B across a smooth horizontal loor by a horizontal force of
magnitude 10 N. At point A, the box has speed 1.5 m s −1 and at point B the box has speed 2.8 m s −1.
Ignoring all other resistive forces, ind:
a the increase in kinetic energy of the box
b the work done by the force
c the distance AB.
5 Calculate the loss of kinetic energy when a boat of mass 3.5 tonnes reduces in velocity from (3i + 4j) m s −1
to (2.5i + 3j) m s −1.
6 A car driver brakes on a horizontal road and slows down from 20 m s −1 to 12 m s −1. he mass of the car and
its occupants is 1150 kg.
a Find the loss in kinetic energy.
b Given that the work done against resistance to motion is 50 kJ, ind the work done by the brakes.
7 A child of mass 35 kg descends a smooth slide, after propelling herself from the top at 1.6 m s −1. Ignoring
air resistance, calculate her speed at the bottom of the slide, which is 2.1 metres lower down than the top.
8 A bullet of mass 10 grams passes horizontally through a target of thickness 5 cm. he speed of the bullet
is reduced from 240 m s −1 to 90 m s −1. Calculate the magnitude of the average resistive force exerted on the
bullet.
9 A train with mass 100 tonnes is travelling at 108 km h−1 on horizontal tracks, when the driver sees a
speed reduction sign. he train’s speed must be reduced to 75 km h−1 over 500 m. Resistance to motion is
approximately 8 kN. Calculate the braking force required, in kN.
10 A package of mass 500 grams slides down a parcel chute of length 3.5 metres, starting from rest. he
bottom of the chute is 2.2 metres below the top. he speed of the package at the bottom of the chute is
4.5 m s −1. Find the resistance to motion on the chute.
11 Use the equation of motion, F = ma, together with the formula, v2 = u2 + 2as, to derive the relation:
1
Fs = m(v2 − u2).
2
12 Eddy cycles up a hill. His mass, together with his bicycle, is 92 kg. His driving force is 125 N and resistance
from friction is 45 N. Eddy travels 350 metres along the road, which rises through a vertical height of
32 metres. His starting speed is 8.2 m s −1. Find his inal speed.

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978-1-316-64441-6 — A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book (AS/A Level)
Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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1 Work, energy and power 1

Section 3: Potential energy, mechanical energy and

conservation of mechanical energy
Consider an object of mass m falling freely under gravity from height h1 u
to height h2, with starting speed u and inal speed v.
Since the only external force acting on the object is gravity, the work– h1 – h2
energy principle becomes: h1 v
work done by gravity = increase in kinetic energy
h2
mv 2 mu 2
⇒ mg (h1 − h2 ) = −
2 2 ground level
Rearranging this gives:
mv 2 mu 2
mgh1 − mgh2 = −
2 2
2
mu mv 2
⇒ mgh1 + = mgh2 +
2 2
Each side of this equation is the sum of two terms, one of which is kinetic
energy. he other term is gravitational potential energy. Gravitational
potential energy (GPE) is the energy an object has by virtue of its position.
For an object of mass m raised a distance h, the increase in GPE is equal to
the product of its weight, mg, and the distance h.
Tip
You can choose any height as
Key point 1.5 your ground (zero) level but it
is usually best to choose the
Gravitational potential energy (GPE) = mgh
lowest height reached by the
where h is the height above ground (zero) level. moving object.

he principle of the conservation of mechanical energy states that, if

there are no external forces other than gravity doing work on an object
during its motion, then the sum of kinetic energy and gravitational
potential energy remains constant.

Key point 1.6

If the only force acting on an object is its weight then mechanical energy is
conserved:
1
GPE + KE = mgh + 2mv2 = constant

where h is the vertical height above the zero level.

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978-1-316-64441-6 — A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book (AS/A Level)
Jess Barker , Nathan Barker , Michele Conway , Janet Such
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A Level Further Mathematics for OCR A Mechanics Student Book

his diagram may help you to understand the formula for conservation of
mechanical energy more easily. As an object descends in height it speeds
up, so gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. As an
object ascends in height it slows down, so kinetic energy is converted into
gravitational potential energy.

1 mu2
mechanical energy

2 1 mw2
obj n 2
is conserved

w
as i ect sp 1 mv2 w s d o
t de eed 2 slo ds
sce s u ect
pot
e nd p obj ascen
con tia n s
as i
t rgy
mgh1 v
kin erte ener
l
tic ene to
e mgh3
etic d to gy kin verted energy
ene con ential
rgy mgh2 pot
ground level

WORKED EXAMPLE 1.11

Faisal throws a ball of mass 125 grams vertically upwards from ground level with a speed of
12.5 m s−1. Assuming no external forces apply:

a calculate the speed of the ball after it has risen 5 metres

b calculate the maximum height gained by the ball.
1
a Starting KE = × 0.125 × 12.52
2
= 9.766 J
Starting KE = mgh + KE at 5 m Use conservation of mechanical energy over the
irst 5 m of the ascent.

9.766 = 0.125g × 5 + KE at 5 m Take the gravitational potential energy at ground

level to be zero.

KE at 5 m = 3.641 J Calculate the kinetic energy of the ball at 5 m.

1 2 Use the formula for KE with the speed at 5 m

mv = 3.641
2 equal to v.
2 × 3.641
v=
0.125
Calculate the speed of the ball.
= 7.63 m s−1 (3 s.f.)
Use conservation of mechanical energy over
the whole ascent (inal kinetic energy is zero).
b Starting KE = mghmax At the maximum height, all the initial
kinetic energy will have been converted into
gravitational potential energy.
9.766 = 0.125g × hmax
Calculate the maximum height gained.
⇒ hmax = 7.97 metres (3 s.f.)

10

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