Chapter 2

Transparency
18
Forces And Motion

Energy
Gravitational Potential Energy
Gravitational potential energy of an object m Final
due to its position position

Ep = mgh Path 2 Path 1

Work done Work done
m : mass of object = mgh h = mgh
g: acceleration due to gravity Water falls due to
h: height of the object from Surface of gravitational potential
Initial
the earthʼs surface the Earth m position energy

Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy of an object due to its motion

Ek = 12 mv2
m
m : mass of object A flying bird has
v
v: velocity of the object kinetic energy

The Principle Of Conservation Of Energy

The total energy in a closed system is constant.
Energy
Total energy
Maximum Maximum
diplacement diplacement Kinetic
Gravitational energy
m m potential
Total energy h Total energy energy
= mgh
v m
= mgh
Displacement
Total energy
= 1 mv2
2 Total energy = Kinectic energy +
Simple Pendulum Potential energy

Question A ball is released from the top of a building, 20 m tall. What is the velocity
of the ball when it reaches the surface of the Earth?
Solution Gain in kinetic energy = Loss of gravitational potential energy
1 mv2 = mgh
2
Velocity of object, v = √ 2gh = √ 2 × 10 × 20 = 20 m s–1

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