CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 6: Work, Energy and Power NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This chapter delves into the fundamental concepts of Work, Energy, and Power in Physics for Class 11 students following the CBSE curriculum. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and step-by-step solutions to the exercises, covering topics such as the definition of work, kinetic and potential energy, the work-energy theorem, and the conservation of energy. Students will learn to calculate work done under various conditions, understand the relationship between force, displacement, and energy, and apply these principles to solve problems involving different physical scenarios. These solutions are designed to aid students in grasping the core principles and preparing effectively for their examinations by offering detailed problem-solving strategies and conceptual clarity.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 11
SubjectPhysics
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 6: Work, Energy and Power

Chapter summary

Chapter 6 of the Class 11 Physics syllabus focuses on Work, Energy, and Power. The NCERT Solutions cover the definition of work done by constant and variable forces, the work-energy theorem, and the concepts of kinetic and potential energy. It also discusses the conservation of mechanical energy and introduces non-conservative forces. The exercises in this chapter help students apply these principles to real-world situations and develop problem-solving skills related to energy transformations and work calculations.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the definition and calculation of work done by forces.
  • Differentiate between positive, negative, and zero work.
  • Apply the work-energy theorem to relate work done to the change in kinetic energy.
  • Define and calculate kinetic and potential energy.
  • Understand the principle of conservation of mechanical energy.
  • Analyze the work done by conservative and non-conservative forces.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Work done by a constant force
  • Work done by a variable force
  • Kinetic energy
  • Work-energy theorem
  • Potential energy (gravitational and elastic)
  • Conservative and non-conservative forces
  • Conservation of mechanical energy
  • Power

Important topics

  • Work-Energy Theorem
  • Conservation of Mechanical Energy
  • Kinetic and Potential Energy Calculations
  • Work Done by Different Forces
  • Power

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Questions and Solutions

Question 6.1

The sign of work done by a force on a body is important to understand. State carefully if the following quantities are positive or negative: work done by a man in lifting a bucket out of a well by means of a rope tied to the bucket; work done by gravitational force in the above case; work done by friction on a body sliding down an inclined plane; work done by an applied force on a body moving on a rough horizontal plane with uniform velocity; work done by the resistive force of air on a vibrating pendulum in bringing it to rest.
Solution:

The sign of work done depends on the angle between the force and the displacement.

  1. Work done by the man lifting a bucket: The man applies an upward force on the bucket, and the bucket moves upward. Since the force and displacement are in the same direction, the work done by the man is positive.
  2. Work done by gravitational force: The gravitational force acts downward on the bucket, while the displacement is upward. Since the force and displacement are in opposite directions, the work done by gravity is negative.
  3. Work done by friction on a body sliding down an inclined plane: Friction always opposes motion. As the body slides down, the frictional force acts upward along the plane. The displacement is downward along the plane. Since the force and displacement are in opposite directions, the work done by friction is negative.
  4. Work done by an applied force on a body moving on a rough horizontal plane with uniform velocity: To maintain uniform velocity on a rough horizontal plane, the applied force must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the frictional force. The applied force acts in the direction of motion, and the displacement is also in the same direction. Therefore, the work done by the applied force is positive.
  5. Work done by the resistive force of air on a vibrating pendulum: The resistive force of air always opposes the motion of the pendulum. As the pendulum swings, this force acts in the direction opposite to its velocity. Therefore, the work done by the air resistance is negative.

Question 6.2

A body of mass 2 kg initially at rest moves under the action of an applied horizontal force of 7 N on a table with coefficient of kinetic friction = 0.1. Compute the work done by the applied force in 10 s, work done by friction in 10 s, work done by the net force on the body in 10 s, change in kinetic energy of the body in 10 s, and interpret your results.
Solution:

Given:\nMass of the body, m = 2 \text{ kg}\nApplied horizontal force, F_{app} = 7 \text{ N}\nCoefficient of kinetic friction, \mu_k = 0.1\nInitial velocity, u = 0 \text{ m/s} (since it starts from rest)\nTime, t = 10 \text{ s}

First, let's calculate the forces acting on the body.

The normal force (N) exerted by the table on the body is equal to the weight of the body:

N = mg = (2 \text{ kg})(9.8 \text{ m/s}^2) = 19.6 \text{ N}

The force of kinetic friction (f_k) opposes the motion:

f_k = \mu_k N = (0.1)(19.6 \text{ N}) = 1.96 \text{ N}

Now, let's find the net force acting on the body in the horizontal direction:

F_{net} = F_{app} - f_k = 7 \text{ N} - 1.96 \text{ N} = 5.04 \text{ N}

Using Newton's second law (F_{net} = ma), we can find the acceleration (a) of the body:

a = \frac{F_{net}}{m} = \frac{5.04 \text{ N}}{2 \text{ kg}} = 2.52 \text{ m/s}^2

Now we can calculate the required quantities:

1. Work done by the applied force in 10 s:\nThe applied force is F_{app} = 7 \text{ N}. We need to find the displacement (d) in 10 s. Using the equation of motion d = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2:

d = (0)(10) + \frac{1}{2}(2.52 \text{ m/s}^2)(10 \text{ s})^2 = \frac{1}{2}(2.52)(100) \text{ m} = 126 \text{ m}\nWork done by applied force, W_{app} = F_{app} \times d = (7 \text{ N})(126 \text{ m}) = 882 \text{ J}

2. Work done by friction in 10 s:\nThe frictional force is f_k = 1.96 \text{ N}, acting opposite to the displacement.\nWork done by friction, W_k = -f_k \times d = -(1.96 \text{ N})(126 \text{ m}) = -246.96 \text{ J}

3. Work done by the net force on the body in 10 s:\nWork done by net force, W_{net} = F_{net} \times d = (5.04 \text{ N})(126 \text{ m}) = 635.04 \text{ J}\nAlternatively, W_{net} = W_{app} + W_k = 882 \text{ J} + (-246.96 \text{ J}) = 635.04 \text{ J}

4. Change in kinetic energy of the body in 10 s:\nFirst, find the final velocity (v) after 10 s using v = u + at:

v = 0 + (2.52 \text{ m/s}^2)(10 \text{ s}) = 25.2 \text{ m/s}\nInitial kinetic energy, KE_i = \frac{1}{2}mu^2 = \frac{1}{2}(2 \text{ kg})(0 \text{ m/s})^2 = 0 \text{ J}\nFinal kinetic energy, KE_f = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = \frac{1}{2}(2 \text{ kg})(25.2 \text{ m/s})^2 = (25.2)^2 \text{ J} = 635.04 \text{ J}\nChange in kinetic energy, \Delta KE = KE_f - KE_i = 635.04 \text{ J} - 0 \text{ J} = 635.04 \text{ J}

Interpretation of results:

- The work done by the applied force is positive, meaning energy is transferred to the system by this force.

- The work done by friction is negative, indicating that friction removes energy from the system.

- The work done by the net force is positive and is equal to the change in the kinetic energy of the body. This confirms the work-energy theorem.

- The change in kinetic energy is positive, as the body's speed increases from rest.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the direction of force and displacement when calculating work.
  • Incorrectly applying the work-energy theorem.
  • Not accounting for all forces (applied, friction, gravity) when calculating net work.
  • Errors in calculating kinetic or potential energy.
  • Misunderstanding the conditions for conservation of mechanical energy.

Revision tips

  • Review the definitions of work, energy, and power thoroughly.
  • Practice calculating work done by different types of forces (constant, variable, conservative, non-conservative).
  • Focus on understanding the work-energy theorem and its applications.
  • Solve problems involving conservation of mechanical energy, paying attention to the forces involved.
  • Work through all the solved examples and exercises to reinforce concepts.

Practice MCQs

Q1. When is the work done by a force considered negative?

Q2. The work-energy theorem states that the work done on an object is equal to:

Q3. Which of the following is a unit of energy?

Q4. If a force of 10 N acts on a body and displaces it by 5 meters in the direction of the force, the work done is:

Q5. Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of Chapter 6: Work, Energy and Power for Class 11 Physics?

This chapter focuses on the fundamental concepts of work, energy (kinetic and potential), and power. It explains how work done relates to changes in energy and introduces the principle of conservation of mechanical energy.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for each exercise problem, helping students understand the application of concepts and develop problem-solving skills for their exams.

What is the difference between work done by a force and energy?

Work is the energy transferred when a force moves an object over a distance. Energy is the capacity to do work. Work is a process, while energy is a state or property.

What is the work-energy theorem?

The work-energy theorem states that the net work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.

When is work done considered positive, negative, or zero?

Work is positive when the force and displacement are in the same direction, negative when they are in opposite directions, and zero when the force is perpendicular to the displacement or when there is no displacement.

What does the conservation of mechanical energy mean?

In the absence of non-conservative forces (like friction), the total mechanical energy (sum of kinetic and potential energy) of a system remains constant.

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