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NCERT SOLUTIONS • CHAPTER 7

Work, Energy, And Simple Machines (Revise, Reflect, Refine)

Question 1 State True or False
State whether True or False:
(i) Work is said to be done when a force is applied, even if the object does not move.
(ii) Lifting a bucket vertically upward results in positive work done on the bucket.
(iii) The SI unit for both work and energy is joule (J).
(iv) A motionless stretched rubber band has kinetic energy.
(v) Energy can change from one form to another.
Solution

(i) False: Work done requires displacement ($W = F \cdot s$). If $s = 0$, work done is zero.

(ii) True: The upward lifting force and upward displacement are in the same direction.

(iii) True: Both work and energy are measured in Joules ($\text{J}$).

(iv) False: A motionless stretched rubber band has elastic potential energy, not kinetic energy.

(v) True: Energy obeys the Law of Conservation of Energy and can transform between mechanical, thermal, electrical, and other forms.

Question 2 Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks:
(i) Work done = ______ × ______ (in the direction of force).
(ii) 1 joule of work is done when a force of ______ newton displaces an object by 1 metre in the direction of the force.
(iii) The expression for kinetic energy of a body of mass m and velocity v is ______.
(iv) The potential energy of an object of mass m at a small height h from the Earth’s surface is ______.
(v) Power is defined as the ______ at which work is done.
Solution

(i) Work done = Force × Displacement

(ii) 1 joule of work is done when a force of 1 newton displaces an object by 1 metre in the direction of the force.

(iii) The expression for kinetic energy is $\frac{1}{2}mv^2$.

(iv) The potential energy at height h is $mgh$.

(v) Power is defined as the rate at which work is done.

Question 3 Ball Thrown Upwards at Highest Point
When a ball thrown upwards reaches its highest point, tick which of the following statement(s) are correct?
(i) The force acting on the ball is zero.
(ii) The acceleration of the ball is zero.
(iii) Its kinetic energy is zero.
(iv) Its potential energy is maximum.
Solution

Correct Statements: (iii) Its kinetic energy is zero, and (iv) Its potential energy is maximum.

Reasoning: At the highest point, instantaneous velocity $v = 0 \implies E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = 0$. Height $h$ is maximum $\implies E_p = mgh$ is maximum. Gravitational force ($F=mg$) and downward acceleration due to gravity ($g=9.8\text{ m/s}^2$) remain non-zero throughout the flight.

Question 4 Energy Transformation Situations
For each of the following situations, identify the energy transformation that takes place:
(i) a truck moving uphill
(ii) unwinding of a watch spring
(iii) photosynthesis in green leaves
(iv) water flowing from a dam
(v) burning of a matchstick
(vi) explosion of a fire cracker
(vii) speaking into a microphone
(viii) a glowing electric bulb
(ix) a solar panel.
Solution
  • (i) Truck moving uphill: Chemical energy (fuel) $\to$ Mechanical kinetic energy + Gravitational potential energy + Heat.
  • (ii) Unwinding watch spring: Elastic potential energy $\to$ Kinetic energy.
  • (iii) Photosynthesis in leaves: Light (solar) energy $\to$ Chemical energy (glucose).
  • (iv) Water flowing from a dam: Gravitational potential energy $\to$ Kinetic energy.
  • (v) Burning matchstick: Chemical energy $\to$ Heat (thermal) energy + Light energy.
  • (vi) Explosion of firecracker: Chemical energy $\to$ Heat + Sound + Light + Kinetic energy.
  • (vii) Speaking into microphone: Sound energy $\to$ Electrical energy.
  • (viii) Glowing electric bulb: Electrical energy $\to$ Light energy + Heat energy.
  • (ix) Solar panel: Light (solar) energy $\to$ Electrical energy.
Question 5 Elevator vs Staircase Potential Energy Gain
A student is slowly lifted straight up in an elevator from the ground level to the top floor of a building. Later, the same student climbs the staircase, all the way to the top. Given that the height of the building is h = 72.5 m, acceleration due to gravity is g = 10 m s⁻², and student’s mass is m = 50 kg.
(i) Find the gain in the potential energy if the student is lifted straight up to the top.
(ii) Find the gain in the potential energy when the student climbs the stairs to the same top.
(iii) What do you conclude about the dependence of the potential energy on the path taken?
Solution

Given: $m = 50 \text{ kg}$, $h = 72.5 \text{ m}$, $g = 10 \text{ m/s}^2$

(i) Potential energy gain via elevator:

$$\Delta E_p = mgh = 50 \text{ kg} \times 10 \text{ m/s}^2 \times 72.5 \text{ m} = \mathbf{36,250\text{ J} = 36.25\text{ kJ}}$$

(ii) Potential energy gain via staircase:

$$\Delta E_p = mgh = 50 \text{ kg} \times 10 \text{ m/s}^2 \times 72.5 \text{ m} = \mathbf{36,250\text{ J} = 36.25\text{ kJ}}$$

(iii) Conclusion:

Gravitational potential energy depends only on the vertical height ($h$) above the reference level and is completely independent of the path taken (conservative force field).

Question 6 Crane Lifting Mass - Energy & Power Ratio
A crane lifts a mass m to the 10th floor of a building in a certain time. It then raises the same mass to the 20th floor of the same building in double the time. How much more energy and power are required? Assume that the height of all floors is equal.
Solution

Let height of 1 floor be $h_0 \implies h_{10} = 10 h_0$ and $h_{20} = 20 h_0$. Let time to 10th floor be $t \implies$ time to 20th floor $= 2t$.

1. Energy Comparison:

$$E_{10} = mg(10h_0) = 10 mgh_0$$ $$E_{20} = mg(20h_0) = 20 mgh_0 = 2 \times E_{10}$$

The crane requires twice ($2\times$) the energy to lift the mass to the 20th floor.

2. Power Comparison:

$$P_{10} = \frac{E_{10}}{t} = \frac{10 mgh_0}{t}$$ $$P_{20} = \frac{E_{20}}{2t} = \frac{20 mgh_0}{2t} = \frac{10 mgh_0}{t} = P_{10}$$

The power requirement remains exactly the same ($1\times$) because double the work is done in double the time.

Question 7 Flagpole Pulley Energy & Power
Which factors determine the energy required to raise a flag from the ground to the top of a tall flagpole using a pulley? Does raising the flag slowly or quickly change the amount of work done? If the speed at which the flag is raised is doubled, how does the power requirement change? Explain your answers.
Solution

1. Factors Determining Energy:

Mass of the flag ($m$), height of the flagpole ($h$), and acceleration due to gravity ($g$). Energy required $= mgh$.

2. Speed Effect on Work Done:

No, raising the flag slowly or quickly does not change the work done ($W = mgh$). Work depends only on force and displacement, not on time.

3. Doubling Speed Effect on Power:

Power is $P = \frac{W}{t} = F \cdot v$. If the speed $v$ is doubled, the time required to reach the top is halved ($\frac{t}{2}$). Therefore, the power requirement doubles ($2\times$).

Question 8 Scooter Passenger Fuel Usage Ratio
A man of mass 60 kg rides a scooter of mass 100 kg. He accelerates the scooter to a velocity v. The next day, his son with a mass of 40 kg joins him as a passenger. If the scooter reaches the same speed on both days in the same time interval, what is the ratio of the fuel of the tank used on the two days? Assume that the energy transfer to the scooter happens entirely due to fuel, and no other losses occur due to air resistance and friction.
Solution

Day 1 (Man alone):

$$\text{Total Mass } m_1 = 60 \text{ kg (man)} + 100 \text{ kg (scooter)} = 160 \text{ kg}$$ $$\text{Energy used } E_1 = \frac{1}{2} m_1 v^2 = \frac{1}{2}(160)v^2 = 80 v^2$$

Day 2 (Man + Son):

$$\text{Total Mass } m_2 = 60 \text{ kg} + 40 \text{ kg (son)} + 100 \text{ kg} = 200 \text{ kg}$$ $$\text{Energy used } E_2 = \frac{1}{2} m_2 v^2 = \frac{1}{2}(200)v^2 = 100 v^2$$

Ratio of Fuel / Energy Used ($E_1 : E_2$):

$$\frac{\text{Fuel Day 1}}{\text{Fuel Day 2}} = \frac{80 v^2}{100 v^2} = \frac{80}{100} = \mathbf{\frac{4}{5} = 4 : 5}$$
Question 9 Balanced Seesaw Diagram for Adult and Child
On a seesaw with sliding seats, a child is sitting on one side and an adult on the other side. The adult weighs twice that of the child. The seesaw however is balanced. Draw a figure which depicts this situation showing the distances from the fulcrum where the child and the adult are seated.
Solution

Principle of Moments: $\text{Load} \times \text{Load Arm} = \text{Effort} \times \text{Effort Arm}$

Let child mass be $m$, adult mass be $2m$.

$$m \times d_{child} = 2m \times d_{adult} \implies d_{child} = 2 d_{adult}$$

To balance the seesaw, the child must sit at twice the distance ($2d$) from the fulcrum compared to the adult sitting at distance $d$.

Question 10 Ball Thrown Upward Work by Gravity and Air Drag
A ball of mass 2 kg is thrown up with a velocity of 20 m/s.
(i) Identify the sign of the work done by gravity on the ball during its upward motion and its downward motion.
(ii) If the ball reaches a height of 19.4 m, how much work was done by air resistance (assume g = 10 m s⁻²).
Solution

(i) Sign of Work Done by Gravity:

  • Upward Motion: Force of gravity is downward, displacement is upward $\implies$ Negative Work.
  • Downward Motion: Force of gravity and displacement are both downward $\implies$ Positive Work.

(ii) Work Done by Air Resistance ($W_{air}$):

Initial Kinetic Energy at launch: $E_{k_i} = \frac{1}{2} m u^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 2 \times (20)^2 = 400 \text{ J}$

Potential Energy gained at maximum height ($19.4\text{ m}$): $E_p = mgh = 2 \times 10 \times 19.4 = 388 \text{ J}$

By Work-Energy Theorem: $E_{k_i} + W_{air} = E_p \implies 400 + W_{air} = 388$

$$W_{air} = 388 - 400 = \mathbf{-12\text{ J}}$$
Question 11 Block Variable Force Graph (Fig. 7.37)
A 10.0 kg block is moving on horizontal floor with negligible friction. As shown in the Fig. 7.37, a variable force is applied on the block in its direction of motion from its position at 0 m till 4 m. If the block had a kinetic energy of 180 J when it was at 0 m, find the block’s speed (i) at 0 m, and (ii) at 4 m. Does the block have negative acceleration in any portion of its motion?
Solution

Given: $m = 10.0 \text{ kg}$, Initial $E_{k_i} = 180 \text{ J}$ at $s=0\text{ m}$.

(i) Speed at 0 m ($u$):

$$\frac{1}{2} m u^2 = 180 \implies \frac{1}{2}(10)u^2 = 180 \implies 5u^2 = 180 \implies u^2 = 36 \implies u = \mathbf{6\text{ m/s}}$$

(ii) Speed at 4 m ($v$):

Work done by variable force = Area under $F-s$ graph (Trapezium from $0\text{ m}$ to $4\text{ m}$, height $F=50\text{ N}$):

$$\text{Area} = \frac{\text{parallel sides sum}}{2} \times \text{height} = \frac{(4 - 0) + (3 - 1)}{2} \times 50 = \frac{4 + 2}{2} \times 50 = 3 \times 50 = 150 \text{ J}$$ $$E_{k_f} = E_{k_i} + W = 180 \text{ J} + 150 \text{ J} = 330 \text{ J}$$ $$\frac{1}{2} (10) v^2 = 330 \implies 5 v^2 = 330 \implies v^2 = 66 \implies v = \sqrt{66} \approx \mathbf{8.12\text{ m/s}}$$

Negative Acceleration Query:

No. The force $F$ stays positive ($>0$) throughout $0\text{ m}$ to $4\text{ m}$. Even between $3\text{ m}$ and $4\text{ m}$ where force decreases, $F$ remains positive, so acceleration remains positive ($a > 0$).

Question 12 Lunar Surface Ball Height
The gravitational attraction on the surface of the Moon (lunar surface) is about 1/6th of that on the surface of the Earth. An astronaut can throw a ball up to a height of 8 m from the surface of the Earth. How far up will the ball thrown with the same upward velocity travel from the surface of the Moon?
Solution

Using Kinematic Formula ($v^2 = u^2 - 2gh \implies u^2 = 2gh$ at max height):

Since the initial upward velocity $u$ is the same on Earth and Moon:

$$2 g_{Earth} h_{Earth} = 2 g_{Moon} h_{Moon}$$

Given $g_{Moon} = \frac{1}{6} g_{Earth}$ and $h_{Earth} = 8 \text{ m}$:

$$g_{Earth} \times 8 = \left(\frac{1}{6} g_{Earth}\right) \times h_{Moon}$$ $$h_{Moon} = 8 \times 6 = \mathbf{48\text{ m}}$$

The ball will reach a height of 48 m on the Moon.

Question 13 Braking Car Speed-Time Graph Analysis (Fig. 7.38)
A 1000 kg car is moving along a road at a constant speed. Suddenly, the driver notices some obstruction ahead and applies the brakes to come to a complete stop. The graphical representation of motion of the car starting from the instant the driver spots the traffic ahead is shown in Fig. 7.38.
(i) Describe how the car moves between positions A and B.
(ii) Calculate the kinetic energy of the car at A.
(iii) State the work done by the brakes in bringing the car to a halt between B and C.
(iv) What does the kinetic energy of the car transform into?
Solution

From Fig. 7.38: $m = 1000 \text{ kg}$, speed at A & B $= 35 \text{ m/s}$, reaction time A to B $= 1 \text{ s}$, braking time B to C $= 3 - 1 = 2 \text{ s}$.

(i) Motion between A and B:

The car moves with a constant speed of 35 m/s for 1 second during the driver's reaction time ($a = 0$).

(ii) Kinetic energy at A ($E_k$):

$$E_k = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 1000 \times (35)^2 = 500 \times 1225 = \mathbf{612,500\text{ J} = 612.5\text{ kJ}}$$

(iii) Work done by brakes (B to C):

$$W = \Delta E_k = 0 - 612,500 \text{ J} = \mathbf{-612,500\text{ J} = -612.5\text{ kJ}}$$

(iv) Energy Transformation:

The kinetic energy transforms into thermal (heat) energy in the brake pads and tires, and sound energy (squealing tires).

Question 14 Potential Energy Curve Ball Velocity (Fig. 7.39)
The potential energy-displacement graph of a 0.5 kg ball moving along a frictionless track is shown in Fig. 7.39. At O, the velocity of the ball is 0 m/s and potential energy is 30 J. Calculate the velocity of the ball at P, Q and R.
Solution

Given: $m = 0.5 \text{ kg}$, Total Mechanical Energy $E_{total} = E_k(O) + U(O) = 0 + 30 \text{ J} = 30 \text{ J}$.

1. Velocity at P ($U_P = 20\text{ J}$):

$$E_{k_P} = E_{total} - U_P = 30 - 20 = 10 \text{ J}$$ $$\frac{1}{2}(0.5) v_P^2 = 10 \implies 0.25 v_P^2 = 10 \implies v_P^2 = 40 \implies v_P = \sqrt{40} \approx \mathbf{6.32\text{ m/s}}$$

2. Velocity at Q ($U_Q = 28\text{ J}$):

$$E_{k_Q} = E_{total} - U_Q = 30 - 28 = 2 \text{ J}$$ $$\frac{1}{2}(0.5) v_Q^2 = 2 \implies 0.25 v_Q^2 = 2 \implies v_Q^2 = 8 \implies v_Q = \sqrt{8} \approx \mathbf{2.83\text{ m/s}}$$

3. Velocity at R ($U_R = 40\text{ J}$):

Since $U_R (40\text{ J}) > E_{total} (30\text{ J})$, the ball cannot reach point R. Its velocity reaches 0 m/s and turns back at $U = 30\text{ J}$.

Question 15 Falling Coconut Sand Depression Depth
A coconut of mass 1.5 kg falls from the top of a coconut tree onto the wet sand on a beach. The height of the tree is 10 m. On impact, the coconut comes to rest by making a depression in the sand.
(i) Calculate the velocity of the coconut just before it hits the sand.
(ii) Assume that the average resistive force of sand is 3000 N and all of the coconut’s energy is used to create the depression in the sand. Calculate the depth of the depression the coconut makes in the sand. Assume g = 10 m s⁻².
Solution

Given: $m = 1.5 \text{ kg}$, $h = 10 \text{ m}$, $F_{resistive} = 3000 \text{ N}$, $g = 10 \text{ m/s}^2$

(i) Velocity just before hitting sand ($v$):

$$v = \sqrt{2gh} = \sqrt{2 \times 10 \times 10} = \sqrt{200} \approx \mathbf{14.14\text{ m/s}}$$

(ii) Depth of depression ($d$):

Total energy of coconut at top = $mgh = 1.5 \times 10 \times 10 = 150 \text{ J}$

Work done by resistive force of sand = Total energy $\implies F_{resistive} \times d = 150\text{ J}$

$$3000 \times d = 150 \implies d = \frac{150}{3000} = 0.05 \text{ m} = \mathbf{5\text{ cm}}$$