AP Physics B : Work, Energy, and Power

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics B

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Understanding Kinetic Energy

A \displaystyle 1000kg car is initially driving at \displaystyle 20 \frac{m}{s} on a flat street. The car then speeds up to \displaystyle 35\frac{m}{s}. What is the total change in kinetic energy of the car?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 612,500J

\displaystyle 200,000J

\displaystyle 412,500J

\displaystyle -412,500J

\displaystyle -612,500J

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 412,500J

Explanation:

First, we calculate the initial kinetic energy of the car:

\displaystyle KE_{initial}=\frac{1}{2}mv_{initial}^2

\displaystyle KE_{initial}=\frac{1}{2}(1000kg)(20\frac{m}{s})^2=200,000J

Then, calculate the final kinetic energy after the car has reached a velocity of \displaystyle 35\frac{m}{s}:

\displaystyle KE_{final}=\frac{1}{2}mv_{final}^2

\displaystyle KE_{final}=\frac{1}{2}(1000kg)(35\frac{m}{s})^2=612,500J

To find the change in kinetic energy, we subtract the initial energy from the final energy.

\displaystyle 612,500J - 200,000J = 412,500J

This answer in positive because the car gains energy when it increases its velocity.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Kinetic Energy

\displaystyle 1500kg car starting from rest accelerates at \displaystyle 10\frac{m}{s^2} for five seconds. What is the kinetic energy of this car after this period of acceleration?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 37,500J

\displaystyle 1,875,000J

\displaystyle 7,500J

\displaystyle 3,750,000J

\displaystyle 75,000J

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 1,875,000J

Explanation:

The first thing we need to find is the final velocity of the car. We know it starts from rest and has an acceleration of \displaystyle 10\frac{m}{s^2} for five seconds. We can calculate the final velocity using these values and the appropriate kinematics equation.

\displaystyle v_f = v_i + at

\displaystyle v_f=0\frac{m}{s}+(10\frac{m}{s^2})(5s)=50\frac{m}{s}

The formula for kinetic energy is:

\displaystyle KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2

We can use the calculated final velocity and the mass of the car to determine its final kinetic energy.

\displaystyle (\frac{1}{2})(1500kg)(50\frac{m}{2})^2 = 1,875,000J

Example Question #61 : Newtonian Mechanics

A uniform thin hoop of mass \displaystyle \small 5kg and radius \displaystyle \small 0.5m is rolling without slipping along a flat horizontal surface at \displaystyle \small 10\frac{m}{s}.  What is the total kinetic energy of the hoop?

Note that the moment of inertia of a uniform thin hoop of mass \displaystyle \small M and radius \displaystyle \small R is \displaystyle \small MR^2.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 262.5J

\displaystyle 95J

\displaystyle 500J

\displaystyle 275J

\displaystyle 250J

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 500J

Explanation:

The total kinetic energy for an object rolling without slipping is the sum of its translational and rotational kinetic energies.

The translational kinetic energy treats the object as if it were a mass sliding along at a constant velocity. We can calculate the translational kinetic energy using the equation:

\displaystyle KE_t=\frac{1}{2}mv^2

Use this equation with the given mass and velocity to solve for translational kinetic energy.

\displaystyle KE_t=\frac{1}{2}(5kg)(10\frac{m}{s})^2

\displaystyle KE_t=250J

The rotational kinetic energy is given by the formula:

\displaystyle KE_r=\frac{1}{2}I\omega ^2

In this equation, \displaystyle \small I is the moment of inertia and \displaystyle \small \omega is the angular velocity of the rolling object in radians per second (or Hz, since radians are a dimensionless unit). For the uniform thin hoop, the rolling moment of inertia around a perpendicular axis through the center of the hoop is given by the equation:

\displaystyle I=MR^2

The relationship between angular and linear velocity in the case of a hoop rolling without slipping is:

\displaystyle \omega=\frac{v}{R}

Solve for the moment of inertia and the angular velocity of the hoop.

\displaystyle I=MR^2=(5kg)(0.5m)^2=1.25kg*m^2

\displaystyle \omega=\frac{v}{R}=\frac{10\frac{m}{s}}{0.5m}=20Hz

Use these values in the formula for rotational kinetic energy.

\displaystyle KE_r=\frac{1}{2}I\omega ^2

\displaystyle KE_r=\frac{1}{2}(1.25kg*m^2)(20Hz) ^2

\displaystyle KE_r=250J

The total kinetic energy is the sum of the translational and rotational kinetic energies.

\displaystyle KE=KE_t+KE_r

\displaystyle KE=250J+250J=500J

Example Question #61 : Ap Physics B

A crane lifts a \displaystyle 500kg steel beam to a height of \displaystyle 20 m. If the task is accomplished in \displaystyle 10 s, what was the average power provided by the crane? 

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 98,000W

\displaystyle 49,000W

\displaystyle 4,900W

\displaystyle 1,000W

\displaystyle 9,800W

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 9,800W

Explanation:

To find average power, we find the total work done by the crane in lifting the steel beam, and then divide it by the time taken to complete the task.

\displaystyle P=\frac{W}{t}

In this case, the total work done is equal to the change in potential energy of the steel beam. for this, we use the potential energy equation:

\displaystyle W=\Delta PE=mg\Delta h

\displaystyle W=(500kg)(9.8\frac{m}{s^2})(20m)

\displaystyle W=98,000J

We then divide the work by \displaystyle 10 s to find average power:

\displaystyle P_{avg}=\frac{98,000J}{10s}

\displaystyle P_{ave}=9,800\frac{J}{s}=9,800W

Example Question #11 : Work, Energy, And Power

A crane is being used to lift a \displaystyle 100 kg crate to a height of \displaystyle 10m above the ground. If the crane's engine can provide a power output of \displaystyle 2000 W, how long does it take for the crane to complete the task?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 7.5s

\displaystyle 2.45s

\displaystyle 9.8s

\displaystyle 19.6s

\displaystyle 4.9s

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 4.9s

Explanation:

First we find the total work required to lift the crate:

\displaystyle W=\Delta PE=mg\Delta h

We are given the mass, change in height, and the acceleration of gravity. Using these values, we can solve for the total work done.

\displaystyle W=(100kg)(9.8\frac{m}{s^2})(10m)=9800J

Next, we can use the equation for power to find the time to complete this task if the engine is working at its maximum power.

\displaystyle P=\frac{\Delta W}{\Delta t}

\displaystyle 2000W=\frac{9800J}{\Delta t}

\displaystyle \Delta t=\frac{9800J}{2000W}=4.9s

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