Energy, Work, and Power

(PHYS 102) Explorations in Physics

Blended learning research paper

Group 1

Energy, Work and Power

Research/Background:

In physics, energy is a property of objects, transferable among them via fundamental interactions, which can be converted into different forms but not created or destroyed. Work and power are two important physical quantities related to energy as well. Power is the rate of doing work. The rate at which energy is transferred or transformed ( or ). Force is said to do work, when acting on a body, there is a displacement of the point of application in the direction of the force. Work is the force that acts times the distance moved in the direction of the force (work = Fd).

The concept of energy and its area in physics make it tremendously important through its usefulness in the mechanical world we live in. There are many forms of energy, but all these types must meet certain conditions such as being convertible to other kinds of energy, obeying conservation of energy, and causing a proportional change in mass in objects that possess it. To name a few energy forms there are: kinetic, radiant, electromagnetic, potential, thermal, elastic, and chemical.

Problem Statement:

We want to know if a ramp on a cargo aircraft can function properly. The ramp weighs 650 lbs. It needs to be raised and lowered within 15 seconds to a height of 23.5 ft up or down on a regular basis. If we were to install a ramp actuator-motor to raise and lower this cargo door, what would be the proper power range to enable the ramp to function properly?

Solution:

1.) What we know:

m=650 lbs (294.8 kg)

t=15 s

d=23.5 ft (7.16 m)

2.) What we don’t know:

P=?

3.) The equations we will need are:

work = Fd

F = mg

4.) They are already in the form that we need.

5.) Plug into the equations...