distinguish between work energy and power if a body of weight 10N is lifted from the floor to a table 2m above the floor calculate the potential energy gained.what happens to the energy if the body falls off the table and hits the floor
Work is defined as the product of force and displacement, while energy is the capacity to do work. Power, on the other hand, is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.
In the given scenario, when a body of weight 10N is lifted from the floor to a table 2m above the floor, work is done against the force of gravity. The work done is calculated as:
Work = Force * Distance = 10N * 2m = 20J
So, the work done in lifting the body is 20 Joules (J). This work is also equal to the potential energy gained by the body when it is lifted to the table. Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position or height above the reference level. Therefore, the potential energy gained by the body is 20 Joules (J).
If the body falls off the table and hits the floor, the potential energy it gained is converted into kinetic energy. As the body falls, it accelerates due to the force of gravity. According to the law of conservation of energy, the potential energy gained is fully converted into kinetic energy just before the body hits the floor. Therefore, the potential energy gained by the body (20 Joules) is converted entirely into kinetic energy just before hitting the floor.