Cambridge International AS Level Physics
Answers to SAQs
Chapter 5
1 a Yes, work done against friction.
b Yes, gravity does work in making you go
faster.
c No, because the stone remains at a constant
distance from the centre of the circle.
d No, because you do not move.
2 Work done, W = F s = mg s
= 70 9.81 2.5 = 17201700J
3 a Work done, W = F s = 10 250= 2500J
b 2500J (ignoring work done against air
resistance)
4 The crane does work to overcome the
downward force of gravity, so all that matters
is the vertical height through which the crane
lifts the load.
Work done, W = F s = 500 40
= 20000J = 20kJ
5 Work done by force up slope,
W = F s = 1000.50 = 50J
Work done by contact force=0J
Work done by force down slope,
W = F s = (300.50) = 15J
(note the movement is in the opposite
direction to the force)
Work done by gravity,
W = F s = (100sin450.50) = 35J
6 Work done, W = pv = 1.0 105 0.002 = 200J
7 Change in gravitational potential energy,
Ep = mgh = 52 9.81 2.5 = 1275J1300J
8 Change in gravitational potential energy,
Ep = mgh = 100 9.81 5500
= 5400kJ or 5.4MJ
9 a Elastic potential energy.
b Work is done on the magnets in pulling them
apart. The potential energy transferred to the
magnets has come from chemical energy in
the student.
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014
Answers to self-assessment questions
10 Kinetic energy of car,
Ek = 12 mv2 = 12 500 (15)2 = 56kJ
Kinetic energy of motorcycle,
Ek = 12 mv2 = 12 250 (30)2 = 156kJ
The motorcycle has more k.e.
11 Change in kinetic energy
= k.e. before k.e. after:
= 12 0.200 (15.8)2 12 0.200 (12.2)2
= 2515 = 10J
12 Calculate the loss in g.p.e. as the sphere falls
from its highest position.
Ep = mgh = 10.0 9.81 0.15 = 14.7J
The gain in the spheres k.e. is 14.7J. Using
this to calculate the spheres speed,
Ek = 12 mv2 = 12 10.0 v2 = 14.7J
So v2 = 14.7 2 2 1
5.0 = 2.94m s and v = 1.7ms ,
the same as for the sphere of mass 5.0kg; the
result is unchanged for any value of mass.
13 Reduction in gravitational potential energy,
Ep = mgh = 80000 9.81 (10000 1000)
= 7.1109J
This energy becomes increased kinetic
energy of air molecules the air temperature
rises.
14 We can say that the change in g.p.e. from the
top of the jump to the point just before she
enters the water is equal to the change in
kinetic energy, so that: mgh = 12 mv2
This means that her speed just before the
point where she enters the water is
v = 2gh = 2 9.81 10 = 196 = 14ms1
15
a Kinetic energy as stone reaches foot of cliff,
Ek = 12 mv2 = 12 m (38)2 = m 722J
Gravitational potential energy change,
Ep = mgh = m 9.81 80 = m 785J
So proportion of g.p.e. converted to k.e.
k.e. 722
g.p.e. = 785 = 0.92 = 92%
b The rest of the stones initial energy is
converted to heat (because work is done
against air resistance).
 Cambridge International AS Level Physics Answers to self-assessment questions

16 Rearranging power = timework done gives

taken
work done = power time taken
=50000W60s = 3.0106J (or 3.0MJ)

17 Power = Wt = 4200000
60 = 70000W (or 70kW)

18

a Work done in one second,
W = Fs = 70040 = 28000J (28kJ)
b 28kW

19 Work done against gravity,

W = Fs = weight height moved
= mgh = 559.81280.20 = 3020J
So her useful power = Wt = 3020
5.4 = 560W

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014