AP Physics C: Mechanics : Work, Power, and Diagrams

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics C: Mechanics

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Work

A 25kg child climbs up a tree. How much work is required for him to climb up this tree to a height of three meters?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 735 J\)

\(\displaystyle 782 J\)

\(\displaystyle 276 J\)

\(\displaystyle 932 J\)

\(\displaystyle 690 J\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 735 J\)

Explanation:

The forces acting on the child are the force of gravity and the upward force provided by the child himself. Choosing the upward direction as positive, Newton's second law applied to the child gives the following equation.

\(\displaystyle \Sigma F_y=F_c-mg=0\)

\(\displaystyle F_c=mg=(25\ \text{kg})(9.8\ \frac{m}{s^2})=245\ \text{N}\)

To calculate the work done by the child to bring himself three meters up the tree, we use the work equation below.

\(\displaystyle W=F_c\cdot d=(245\ \text{N})(3\ \text{m})=735\ \text{J}\)

Example Question #2 : Work

A force of 27N is applied horizontally to a box resting on a level surface. The surface exerts a friction force of 2N as the box moves. If it moves a total of 3.7m, how much work was done on the box?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 93.5 J\)

\(\displaystyle 92.7 J\)

\(\displaystyle 94.8 J\)

\(\displaystyle 91.6 J\)

\(\displaystyle 92.5 J\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 92.5 J\)

Explanation:

The net force on the box is the applied force minus the friction force, since friction acts in the direction opposite motion.

\(\displaystyle F_{net}=F_{app}-F_{friction}\)

Consequently, the net force is:

\(\displaystyle F_{net}=27N-2N = 25 N\)

The formula for work is:

\(\displaystyle W=F_{net}*d\)

Substituting in our net force and distance, we find that the work done on the box is:

\(\displaystyle W=25N(3.7m)=92.5 N\cdot m\)

\(\displaystyle W=92.5J\)

Example Question #121 : Ap Physics C

An object is pushed across a rough surface with a force of 53N. The rough surface exerts a frictional force of 3.47N on the object. If the object is pushed 7.9m, how much work is done on the object?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 326.47J\)

\(\displaystyle 391.29 J\)

\(\displaystyle 446.11 J\)

\(\displaystyle 1452.88 J\)

\(\displaystyle 398.63J\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 391.29 J\)

Explanation:

The defintion of work is:

\(\displaystyle W=F_{net}\cdot d\)

The net force on this object is:

\(\displaystyle F_{net}=F_{app}-F_{friction}\)

We can calculate this term using the given values:

\(\displaystyle F_{net}=53N-3.47N=49.53N\)

The distance is given. Substituting these values:

\(\displaystyle W=49.53 N (7.9m)=391.29 J\)

Example Question #4 : Work, Energy, And Power

ONe of the forces that act on a particle as it underjoes a dispalcement of 

\(\displaystyle 2i + 3j -1k\) m is given by \(\displaystyle F = 8i - 2j +3k\: N\).

How much work is done by that force on the particle?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 9\:J\)

\(\displaystyle 1\:J\)

\(\displaystyle 5\:J\)

\(\displaystyle 7\:J\)

\(\displaystyle 3\:J\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7\:J\)

Explanation:

The equation of work is given by \(\displaystyle W = F\cdot d\), where \(\displaystyle F\) is force and \(\displaystyle d\) is the distance. Both the work and the force are given to us, but in vector form. In this case, we have to take the dot product of the force and distance.

When taking dot product, keep these rule in mind

\(\displaystyle i \cdot i = 1, j \cdot j = 1, k \cdot k =1\)

Every other dot proudct is equal to 0.

\(\displaystyle (8i - 2j +3k) \cdot (2i + 3j - 1k) = \\((8\cdot2)+(-2\cdot3)+(3\cdot-1) ) = 7\:J\)

Example Question #1 : Power

When riding your bicycle, you have a maximum power output of 500W. As you approach a hill, you shift into first gear, applying a torque of \(\displaystyle 30\ N\cdot m\) to the gears. Assuming you produce 50% of your maximum power output, what is the angular velocity of the gears, in radians per second? 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 10.0\frac{rad}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle 15.5\frac{rad}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle 8.33\frac{rad}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle 16.66\frac{rad}{s}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8.33\frac{rad}{s}\)

Explanation:

Power is determined by calculating the work output per unit time. In this case, power will be the product of torque and angular velocity:

\(\displaystyle P=\tau*\omega\)

We are given values for our torque and our power output, allowing us to solve for the angualr velocity. Keep in mind that the power output is going to be 50% of the maximum.

\(\displaystyle 250W=(30N\cdot m)(\omega)\)

\(\displaystyle \omega=8.33\frac{rad}{s}\)

Example Question #1 : Power

A crane lifts a crate with a mass of 50kg. The crate is raised at a constant velocity for ten seconds and and moves a vertical distance upwards of 20m. What power is being supplied to the crane during this time? 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 830W\)

\(\displaystyle 100W\)

\(\displaystyle 730W\)

\(\displaystyle 980W\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 980W\)

Explanation:

For this problem we can calculate the power as the product of force and velocity:

\(\displaystyle P=Fv\)

First, we need to find the velocity:

\(\displaystyle v=\frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}=\frac{20m}{10s}=2\frac{m}{s}\)

Our force will be equal to the weight of the crate:

\(\displaystyle F=mg=(50kg)(9.8\frac{m}{s})=490N\)

Now, we can solve for power:

\(\displaystyle P=Fv=(490N)(2\frac{m}{s})=980W\)

Example Question #1 : Work, Energy, And Power

A person is moving boxes up the stairs in their new home. They have two identical boxes, with same the size and mass. The first box is easy to carry up the stairs. When moving the second box, the person is more tired and moves more slowly. Which statement accurately describes the work and power between the two trials?

Possible Answers:

Work decreases; power stay the same

Work increases; power increases

Work remains the same; power decreases

Work remains the same; power increases

Work increases; power decreases

Correct answer:

Work remains the same; power decreases

Explanation:

Because the boxes are the same mass and are moving the same distance, the work done will remain the same between the two instances. Work does not depend on time:

\(\displaystyle W=Fd\)

However, when carrying the second box, the person moves more slowly. The overall time increases, which leads to a decrease in power.

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

Example Question #1 : Power

What power is required to lift a 25kg box 5.76m off the ground in fifteen seconds?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 16.35 W\)

\(\displaystyle 1412.64 W\)

\(\displaystyle 3.77 W\)

\(\displaystyle 94.18W\)

\(\displaystyle 9.6 W\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 94.18W\)

Explanation:

The definition of power is:

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

The work done on the box to lift it is required in order to overcome the force of gravity. If we can find the force of gravity on the object, we can calculate the net force. The force of gravity on any object near the Earth's surface is:

\(\displaystyle F_g=mg\)

The definition of work is:

\(\displaystyle W=F_{net}d\)

We can substitute the force of gravity for the net force, resulting in the equation:

\(\displaystyle W=mgd\)

Substituting this into our power equation, we find:

\(\displaystyle P=\frac{mgd}{t}\)

Plugging in our given values and constants, we find:

\(\displaystyle P=\frac{(25 kg) (9.81 \frac{m}{s^2})(5.76m)}{15 s}\)

\(\displaystyle P=\frac{(25)(9.81)(5.76)}{15}\frac{kgm^2}{s^3}\)

\(\displaystyle P=87.36 W\)

Example Question #12 : Work, Energy, And Power

An object with a mass of \(\displaystyle 25kg\) is moving at \(\displaystyle 25\frac{m}{s}\) in a straight line on a fricitonless surface. After a force of \(\displaystyle 250N\) acting in the direction of its motion is applied to it for \(\displaystyle 13.75m\), what is the object's speed in meters per second?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 31\frac{m}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle 30\frac{m}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle 29\frac{m}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle 32\frac{m}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle 28\frac{m}{s}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 30\frac{m}{s}\)

Explanation:

Begin by using the following equation relating the initial and final kinetic energy and the work done on the object:

\(\displaystyle KE_i + W = KE_f\)

Then, plug in the given variables and solve for the final speed.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}mv_i^2 + Fd = \frac{1}{2}mv_f^2\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}(25kg)(25\frac{m}{s})^2 + (250N)(13.75m) = \frac{1}{2}(25kg)v_f^2\)

Simplify terms.

\(\displaystyle 7812.5 + 3437.5 = \frac{25}{2}v_f^2\)

Isolate the final velocity and solve.

\(\displaystyle v_f = \sqrt{11250*\frac{2}{25}}\)

\(\displaystyle v_f = \sqrt{900}\)

\(\displaystyle v_f = 30\frac{m}{s}\)

Example Question #1 : Work, Power, And Diagrams

\(\displaystyle 30kg\) projectile is launched straight upwards at an initial velocity of \(\displaystyle 32.65\frac{m}{s}\). What is the maximum height that this projectile reaches in meters?

Round to the nearest meter, and assume the projectile encounters no air resistance.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 55m\)

\(\displaystyle 53m\)

\(\displaystyle 54m\)

\(\displaystyle 52m\)

\(\displaystyle 56m\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 54m\)

Explanation:

You can use the motion equation and find the maximum, but it may be faster to use energy equations. Set the initial kinetic energy equal to the gravitational potential energy at the maximum height and solve for the height.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = mgh\)

Mass cancels.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}v^2 = gh\)

Isolate the height and solve.

\(\displaystyle h = \frac{v^2}{2g} = \frac{(32.65\frac{m}{s})^2}{2(9.8\frac{m}{s^2})} = 54.3889m\)

Round to \(\displaystyle 54m\).

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