Work, energy and power

About this lab: Work, energy and power

A crate dragged at steady speed with work done and P = Fv, a ball on a slope trading potential for kinetic energy with optional friction, a roller coaster with a loop and the speed needed at the top, a motor lifting a load with a Sankey diagram and efficiency, and a car with constant engine power reaching its top speed against drag and on a hill.

Work done by a force, energy transfers on slopes and loops, efficiency, and why cars have a top speed

Work, energy and power is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702 (topic 5 Work, energy and power). The course is assessed in Paper 1 (multiple choice), Paper 2 (AS structured), Paper 3 (advanced practical), Paper 4 (A Level structured) and Paper 5 (planning, analysis and evaluation). There are 5 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

• 5.1 Energy conservation: Work done = force × displacement in the direction of force; The principle of conservation of energy; Efficiency as the ratio of useful output to total input; Power: P = W ÷ t; Deriving P = Fv and using it in problems. Lessons: Work, energy and power.
• 5.2 Gravitational PE and kinetic energy: Deriving ΔEp = mgΔh from W = Fs; Deriving Ek = ½mv² from the equations of motion. Lessons: Kinetic and potential energy.

Full syllabus map: AS Level Physics 9702 topic 5.

How to use this simulation

1. 1. Work done and power.
2. 2. Kinetic and potential energy.
3. 3. Energy on a roller coaster.
4. 4. Efficiency and energy transfers.
5. 5. Power, drag and top speed.
6. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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